Category Archives: Uncategorized

Promoting Excellence in Art and Design with a Featured Artists’ Program

Posted on by
Reply

Sister Marcella Marie Garus with award recipients Bonnie Mack and Valerie KasinskiThis year marked the beginning of an annual honor for two student artists of distinction attending Villa Maria College.  Nominated by the Art Department faculty and selected by Sandra Reicis, Art Department Chair,  the featured student artists for the 2013/2014 academic year are Valerie Kasinski from Photography and Bonnie Mack from Graphic Design.  This program of recognition is a celebration of excellence in Art and Design.  At a recent reception a year-long student exhibit was officially opened and Valerie and Bonnie each received the Chair Award.  Pictured above is President Sister Marcella Marie Garus (center) with Bonnie Mack (left) and Valerie Kasinski (right). kasinski_5These students serve as role-models for their fellow peers and ambassadors for the art and design programs at Villa Maria College.  The year long displays are in the East and West Reception Rooms located adjacent to the main lobby of the college.  Pictured at right is one of Valerie’s photographs entitled Whitney, Mount Baldy, CA. Bonnie Mack Graphic Design Project Featured at right is Bonnie Blues, a Visual Communications Branding Project for a fictitious clothing company, designed and fabricated by Bonnie Mack.  The call for next year’s featured artists has gone out.  All students in a Villa Maria College Art Department Program are eligible to be nominated.

Collaborating in the Kitchen

Posted on by
Reply

By its very function the kitchen is the space where collaborations just naturally occur…and so at the Junior League Decorators’ Show House Mod British Kitchen cabinetsthe kitchen design was a collaboration between Jamie C. Johnson and Wayne Watson.  Assisting Jaime, who is part owner of Eden Interiors, was her intern and Villa Maria College senior Therese Smith.  Mod British Kitchen IslandThis was an exciting experience for Therese, who was able to assist with the design and installation from the ground up.  The theme was ‘Mod British Kitchen’, and this was articulated in the paprika red and stainless cabinetry along with the juxtaposition of traditional wood and original tile work with contemporary fittings and the ‘Underground Tube’ wall covering.'groovy' kitchen pantry The small pantry was a space of its own in the Show House floor plan, designed by Jaime Johnson and installed with the assistance of Therese Smith, the glass front shelves were filled with cook books and culinary tools.  Since that time, Therese Smith has completed her BFA degree at Villa Maria College and is currently employed as Jamie Johnson’s Assistant.

……saying goodbye to Barcelona

Posted on by
1

Our final morning and it is one last breakfast at the Hotel Astoria followed by our transfer to the Barcelona airport by private motor coach. It was the final opportunity for one last walk-about. Our hotel was close to wonderful shopping, dining, and evening entertainment, which was an easy stroll for us. Many stores feature local designers and many shops sell regional products. The foresight in urban planning was not lost on us.  The broad boulevards are pleasant for walking, and limit traffic congestion.  They also allow for interesting display kiosks to feature their local businesses, such as the award winning Mango boutique.  I couldn’t resist a picture with our fashion design graduate, Katelynn Hanners.

The architectural details, such as lamposts and street lights have been preserved and contribute to the charm of the city.  I was impressed with the beautiful doors that grace many of the buildings, each one unique in its own way.  On our last walk up and down Rambla de Catalunya and Passeig de Gracia I took a moment to photograph these special features.

Before we said goodbye to Barcelona, we took one last group photo outside our hotel……..……and upon our return I compiled my door images as a memory of our visit.

……a morning at the Paris American Academy

Posted on by
Reply

Our second day in Paris took us to the Paris American Academy, http://parisamericanacademy.fr/PAA/WELCOME.html where we met Professor Christophe Salade.  The school is located in a historic building next to the Val-de-Grace Church. Here, the students and instructors from Villa Maria College are pictured in the courtyard of the Academy.  Our workshop included a walking tour of the area surrounding the school on Rue Saint-Jacques with time for sketching. Professor Salade pointed out architectural details and shared the local history, providing a perspective to complement our tour. It was a beautiful Paris morning for sketching! After our warm up exercise, we continued our walking tour to the Luxembourg Gardens. Many fine statues were erected in the gardens during the 19th century. The park is a peaceful haven, enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.  We paused briefly to sketch at the fountains, and then continued our tour.  Here is our group, pictured with Professor Salade, fourth from right.  Here also is the Palais du Luxembourg.

 

 

 

We paused briefly to admire the Octagonal Lake, attributed to Jean-Francois Chalgrin.  It is surrounded by formal terraces where visitors to the gardens often sunbathe.  The duck house is a favorite feature that moves about the grounds. Clearly the ducks seem to like it!  A visit to the Luxembourg Gardens would not be complete without the Fontaine Medicis.  The 17th-century fountain is in the style of an Italian grotto and is thought to have been designed by Salomon de Brosse.  Our walking tour eventually led us back to the Academy, but not before Professor Salade pointed out St. Sulpice in the distance, made famous in the book and movie the Da Vinci Code, as well as a quaint building along our walk, familiar to some of our group from the Disney movie, Mary Poppins. During our stroll we marvelled at the beautiful apartments that surround the gardens, and the charm of the area, with its groves, paths and fountains.  Many a Parisian was enjoying the day, jogging, exercising or relaxing in the park.

 

MidCity Office Party……

Posted on by
Reply

On Thursday, May 3, 2012, MidCity Office celebrated their new showroom with a reception complete with breakdancing entertainment!  Villa alums, friends and faculty were present for the fun-filled evening.  Pictured to the left are Villa Alum Tina Lewis ’08 AAS with Villa student Mollie Vesci. Our hosts included Sara Gleason ’10 BFA and Jack Sciuto ’11 BFA.  Pictured are Professor Paul Brinkworth with Sara to the left and Professor Natalia Albul with Laura Schumaker.

It is always such a pleasure to see the many familiar faces from Villa at the local design events.  It’s a great opportunity for Villa students to network and make new contacts. Also at the event were Jordan Kelley ’10 BFA and Janet Rasmeyer ’10 BFA, from J Style Interiors and Lee Fustino ’06 AAS and Todd Piotrowski ’10 BFA from Carmina Woods Architects.

Conversations were filled with discussion of recent projects and future plans, such as wedding plans for Alexandra Gugino, a Villa Maria Photography alum and Todd.

Pictured to the right are Villa student Charles Gattie ’12 BFA and Jack.  The new MidCity showroom featured some wonderful furniture groupings and trends in office furnishings.  Located in the Tri-Main building, it’s a convenient location with many ties to the local arts community.