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Art Forms: Heggestad Offers Example Of Local Artistic Diversity
By Pam Meylor
Yankton Area Arts
Having lived in larger towns prior to my arrival in this area, I suspected one of the things I was missing out on was the great sense of community that comes with a little less population. For sure I was right about that one; but what continues to impress me are the many additional benefits of living in this area that continue to make themselves known
A good case in point is the immense amount of artistic talent available here in our little corner of southeast South Dakota. There are an amazing amount of wonderfully talented artists almost within a stone’s throw of Yankton — and it really helps make our job here at Yankton Area Arts so much easier.
For example, this past week we opened our fourth gallery show of 2010; at which we are fortunate enough to feature some of the celebrated and unique works of Susan Heggestad. What’s even more impressive is that an artist of her caliber can be found just down the road from us in Vermillion.
Susan is a South Dakota born, California raised, mixed-media artist and was recently the Interim Instructor in Printmaking and Art History at Wayne State College, where she continues to teach part-time. Susan is a non-traditional printmaker and her art represents some of the finest examples of one-of-a-kind mixed media prints you can find. Her exhibit is titled “Variations of a Theme: One-of-a-Kind Prints” and will be on display through June 15 at the G.A.R. Hall Art Gallery.
Susan’s art was some of the first I encountered when we moved to the area — and I’ve been anxious to have her participate in an exhibit since joining Yankton Area Arts. When I heard from David Jensen, our exhibit chairperson, that he had secured her for this year I was elated and I asked Susan to give our patrons a little more background on her process. Here is what she said: “I am drawn to printmaking because of the endless potential for variations on a theme. I have little interest in creating multiples, which is the definition of the medium. To me, this captures the very nature of our mysterious existence in this universe: endless variations on a theme.”
She went on to say that her collagraphic process “is about texture — thin layers of found objects and modeling material are used to gradually build the printed image. The technique relates directly to collage, relief sculpture and mixed media. It is sculptural in its conception and my understanding of spatial relationships and the effects of light are strongly influenced by my experience in technical theater.”
Susan received her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree in Printmaking from the University of South Dakota, and her Masters of Fine Arts degree from SUNY at Buffalo. While her skill is obvious when you first see her work, it’s difficult to understand how she achieves such depth and detail using only printmaking techniques. She explained that by utilizing multiple plates and techniques she is able to create layers of texture throughout her images. It really results in fascinating body of work; which looks wonderful on the walls of the gallery by the way, so I hope you make a point to come down and enjoy it!
Speaking of which, in case you hadn’t noticed, the weather this week was just fantastic — so I can’t blame anyone for wanting to stay outside. But it appears we are now facing a forecast for lots of rain; which gives you a perfect excuse to come down and visiting the G.A.R. Hall Art Gallery this weekend, where you can stay high and dry. I hope to see you here!
YAA Calendar of Events:
• through June 15 — “Variations on a Theme: One-of-a-Kind Prints” featuring the works of Susan Heggestad.
• May 15 — Academy of Dance Spring Recital, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Yankton High School/Summit Activities Theater.
• May 16 — Academy of Dance Spring Recital, 2 p.m. Yankton High School/Summit Activities Theater.
• June 16 — Memoir Writing Workshop: “Writing Your Memoirs: The Early Years” with Bev Oliver from 1-5 p.m. Please call 665-9754 to register or for more details.
For more information on area art events, visit our calendar on-line at www.YanktonAreaArts.org
The G.A.R. Hall Gallery and Yankton Area Arts office are located at 508 Douglas Avenue, Yankton. The gallery is open to the public free of charge from 1-5 p.m. weekdays and from 1-3 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information, please contact Pam Meylor, Executive Director, via e-mail at Pam@YanktonAreaArts.org or drop us a line at 665-9754.
A good case in point is the immense amount of artistic talent available here in our little corner of southeast South Dakota. There are an amazing amount of wonderfully talented artists almost within a stone’s throw of Yankton — and it really helps make our job here at Yankton Area Arts so much easier.
For example, this past week we opened our fourth gallery show of 2010; at which we are fortunate enough to feature some of the celebrated and unique works of Susan Heggestad. What’s even more impressive is that an artist of her caliber can be found just down the road from us in Vermillion.
Susan is a South Dakota born, California raised, mixed-media artist and was recently the Interim Instructor in Printmaking and Art History at Wayne State College, where she continues to teach part-time. Susan is a non-traditional printmaker and her art represents some of the finest examples of one-of-a-kind mixed media prints you can find. Her exhibit is titled “Variations of a Theme: One-of-a-Kind Prints” and will be on display through June 15 at the G.A.R. Hall Art Gallery.
Susan’s art was some of the first I encountered when we moved to the area — and I’ve been anxious to have her participate in an exhibit since joining Yankton Area Arts. When I heard from David Jensen, our exhibit chairperson, that he had secured her for this year I was elated and I asked Susan to give our patrons a little more background on her process. Here is what she said: “I am drawn to printmaking because of the endless potential for variations on a theme. I have little interest in creating multiples, which is the definition of the medium. To me, this captures the very nature of our mysterious existence in this universe: endless variations on a theme.”
She went on to say that her collagraphic process “is about texture — thin layers of found objects and modeling material are used to gradually build the printed image. The technique relates directly to collage, relief sculpture and mixed media. It is sculptural in its conception and my understanding of spatial relationships and the effects of light are strongly influenced by my experience in technical theater.”
Susan received her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree in Printmaking from the University of South Dakota, and her Masters of Fine Arts degree from SUNY at Buffalo. While her skill is obvious when you first see her work, it’s difficult to understand how she achieves such depth and detail using only printmaking techniques. She explained that by utilizing multiple plates and techniques she is able to create layers of texture throughout her images. It really results in fascinating body of work; which looks wonderful on the walls of the gallery by the way, so I hope you make a point to come down and enjoy it!
Speaking of which, in case you hadn’t noticed, the weather this week was just fantastic — so I can’t blame anyone for wanting to stay outside. But it appears we are now facing a forecast for lots of rain; which gives you a perfect excuse to come down and visiting the G.A.R. Hall Art Gallery this weekend, where you can stay high and dry. I hope to see you here!
YAA Calendar of Events:
• through June 15 — “Variations on a Theme: One-of-a-Kind Prints” featuring the works of Susan Heggestad.
• May 15 — Academy of Dance Spring Recital, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Yankton High School/Summit Activities Theater.
• May 16 — Academy of Dance Spring Recital, 2 p.m. Yankton High School/Summit Activities Theater.
• June 16 — Memoir Writing Workshop: “Writing Your Memoirs: The Early Years” with Bev Oliver from 1-5 p.m. Please call 665-9754 to register or for more details.
For more information on area art events, visit our calendar on-line at www.YanktonAreaArts.org
The G.A.R. Hall Gallery and Yankton Area Arts office are located at 508 Douglas Avenue, Yankton. The gallery is open to the public free of charge from 1-5 p.m. weekdays and from 1-3 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information, please contact Pam Meylor, Executive Director, via e-mail at Pam@YanktonAreaArts.org or drop us a line at 665-9754.
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| Yankton Writer’s Club Meets Monday |
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