In Memory of Thomas Rubick

Our friend and colleague Thomas Rubick, graphic design instructor, passed away on the morning of Sunday, July 19. His wife Jeane and family wrote that "The sun was up, and we sang 'Here Comes the Sun' to him. The light from behind his blue eyes is shining on us all."

Though we all knew this was coming, it is a tragic loss of one who gave so much to life through his art and teaching, his insistence on excellence, and his honest and insightful contributions to our work and community in the Arts and at Lane. We have all missed him greatly over the last year and now we will remember him always in our work and thoughts as we build on what he gave us.

Rick Williams, Dean, Division of the Arts

In Memory of Tom Rohr

Our colleague and dear friend, ceramics instructor Tom Rohr, suffered a heart attack and died Tuesday night, July 7. A memorial service is planned for Tuesday, July 14 at noon at St. Mary Catholic Church, 1062 Charnelton St., Eugene, followed by a gathering at the family’s home at 2:30 p.m. Kathryn would like us to share memories of Tom at the gathering.

As I have talked with many of you about Tom's sudden death and our deep loss, I realized that the first response from many of you was the memory of the last time you saw Tom. That is true for me as well, and that time, as with many others, is a memory of him talking in the hall outside my door, excitedly describing a new idea to one of you. I don't know that anyone else brought more excitement, energy, happiness and pure charm to our halls and classrooms than Tom did. This is a terrible loss for all of us and for our students. I hope I will see many of you next Tuesday as we mourn the passing of our friend and colleague and, as we know he would want us to do, celebrate his life.

Rick Williams, Dean, Division of the Arts

AutismArtism 2009 Exhibit, June 20-July 17

The LCC Art Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of the "Autism Rocks" Art show - AutismArtism 2009. The exhibit runs from June 20 to July 17. It is an exhibition of visual art from 26 artists with autism from Lane County and around the world, including Mary-Minn Sirag of Eugene, DJ Svoboda of North Carolina, and Torger Berstad of Sweeden.

The Lane Community College Art Gallery is open 8 am - 5:00 pm on Monday-Thursday during the summer. The gallery is located on the main campus, Building 11, in Eugene, Oregon. The exhibition is sponsored by Lane Arts Council and the REX Foundation. Contact: Art & Applied Design Department, 463-5409.

Image: "Mystic" by Lexi Sias.

Lee Imonen Receives Faculty Recognition Award

Lee Imonen, instructor of sculpture, has been presented with the Spring term Faculty Recognition Award. The award was based on nominations from students, staff, faculty, and alumni.

As part of the application, Lee's students write, "Lee is an artists’ artist. As an instructor he instills a deep sense of commitment to the learning of skills, creative research and process, critiques, and outcomes of student's art projects. He is tireless in providing technical expertise, artistic concepts and historical references to art making. Indeed, Lee has not only helped students strive for higher goals but works to inspire a strong work ethic... so important to producing fine art for personal enjoyment, cultural inspiration, and for the uniqueness of gallery installation as well as for reproduction. He brings out the best qualities in his own students, in the students of other classes and their studio interaction."

Congratulations to Lee!

Kathryn Finnerty featured in Ceramics Monthly

Kathryn Finnerty, new instructor of ceramics, is featured in an article "Kathryn Finnerty" in the current June/July/August 2009 issue of Ceramics Monthly. In the article she talks about the challenges and rewards of setting up her own pottery studio with her husband, Tom Rohr who also teaches ceramics at Lane, in Pleasant Hill.

Kathryn writes, "I have always been drawn to 19th century English pottery and use it as an inspiration for my work. I specifically enjoy the playful, ornamental aspects of Victorian Majolica and the decorative sprigged surfaces of salt-fired stoneware and porcelain wares. I attempt to understand and interpret these influences in an effort to create a body of work relevant in our contemporary world, while fulfilling my personal creative impulses."

For more information, go to Kathryn's webpage: http://kathrynfinnerty.com/

Susan Lowdermilk - The Beautiful Book

Susan Lowdermilk's artist book A Ritual to Read to Each Other is included in The Beautiful Book: Exploring the Allure of Artist Books, an exhibit at the 23 Sandy Gallery in Portland, Oregon, June 5-27.

The 23 Sandy Gallery writes, "Artist books are small edition or one of a kind book forms hand-crafted by individual artists. This exquisite collection showcases the beauty in craftsmanship, materials, and imagery of the bookmaker’s art."

A Ritual to Read: Tunnel Book is a tunnel book with a three panel wrap around cover. 12 x 15 inches. “A Ritual to Read to Each Other" is a poem by William Stafford.

For more information contact Susan Lowdermilk, instructor at Lane Community College, at 542-463-5413. The 23 Sandy Gallery is located at 623 NE 23rd Ave., Portland, Oregon 97232. Contact information: 503-927-4409; http://www.23sandy.com/index.html

Graphic Design Student Exhibit, May 26-June 11

The Art Gallery is pleased to present the Annual Graphic Design Student Graduates Exhibit, May 26 through June 11. The exhibit features work by graduates from the Graphic Design program. A reception will be held on Wednesday, June 10, from 4-6 p.m.

The exhibit is in the Art Gallery, Building 11 on the main campus of Lane Community College. Contact: Jennifer Salzman, 463-5864 or the Art and Applied Design office at 463-5409.

"Montana Buffalo" by Rachel Winslow