Noted printmaker and two UNG alumni to display art in galleries

An artist referenced in printmaking textbooks and two University of North Georgia (UNG) alumni will display their talents as part of the art exhibitions in the galleries this academic year.

The biggest name to visit UNG and conduct a workshop will be a printmaker and woodcut artist from Laurel, Mississippi, who goes by the name Sean Starwars.

Victoria Cooke, director of art galleries at UNG, said Starwars will have exhibits on UNG's Dahlonega and Gainesville campuses, which is a rarity for the university.

"We never do that, but we did it with Sean because of who he is," Cooke said. "When word got out that he was coming here, it generated a lot of interest."

Starwars, who is known for his large-scale color woodcuts, will showcase his exhibit "Carve" Oct. 3-24 in the Bob Owens Art Gallery on the Dahlonega Campus. His personal exhibition walk through and reception will be at noon Oct. 21. His "Carve II" exhibition will be Oct. 8-31 in the Roy C. Moore Art Gallery on the Gainesville Campus. His artist-led tour and reception will be 3-5 p.m. Oct. 23.

In February, two UNG alumni will step into the spotlight on two separate campuses.

Atlanta photographer and 2006 UNG graduate Charles Mitchell Jr. will present his show titled "Music is only Skin Deep." Cooke said it will feature African-American musicians who embrace the sounds that fall outside the confines of urban music. He is the ideal person to celebrate musical innovation since he has worked with musicians such as Lil Wayne, Janelle Monae, Erykah Badu, and NeYo.

"His show is going to be very interesting," she said. "He is going to explain how music transcends color."

In the fall Mitchell will give a lecture to art students about how to start a career with a visual arts degree, Cooke said.

"Music is only Skin Deep" will run from Feb. 13 to March 16 in the Bob Owens Art Gallery on the Dahlonega Campus. His tour and reception will be at noon Feb. 3.

The second UNG graduate to step into the artistic spotlight will be Atlanta illustrator and 2012 alumna Ebony Glenn.

"She is creating an exhibition not just about her work as a children's book illustrator but about the industry itself and how children's books are made," Cooke said.

Glenn's show will run Feb. 4-27 in the Roy C. Moore Art Gallery on the Gainesville Campus. Her artist talk and reception have yet to be determined.

Shanequa Gray's exhibit "The Ritual of Claiming Space" will be from Aug. 29 to Sept. 23 in the Bob Owens Art Gallery on UNG's Dahlonega Campus.

Six other shows will appear in UNG's art galleries on the Gainesville and Dahlonega campuses along with the annual student exhibitions, senior shows and semi-annual art sales. The Oconee Campus will also feature four exhibitions in its gallery throughout the academic year.

New this year will be an art show featuring submitted pieces from UNG students, faculty and staff as well as community members in Forsyth County in the Cumming Campus' library. The show will be Nov. 4-15 during the library's hours, which are 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays.

"One of the library's biggest goals is to help our students feel engaged and active in the college community," said Teresa Nesbitt, reference services librarian at UNG. "An art show is a great way to showcase and celebrate talent within our community, whether from casual hobbyists, professionals or art students."

For more information or to submit art for the show, contact Nesbitt at teresa.nesbitt@ung.edu, Rebecca Rose at rebecca.rose@ung.edu, or Allison Galloup at allison.galloup@ung.edu.