Missouri Southern State University - Crossroads Yearbook (Joplin, MO)

Page 29 text:

(Left) Jennifer Toynton works on a painting. (Below left) Students view pain¬ tings at the Artworks Gallery, located in downtown Joplin. (Below) Laura Cates admires a stu¬ dents work at the Artworks Gallery. — Photos by Rick Evans :27

Page 28 text:

Students in a beginning painting class listen to a critique of their work. — Photo by Hick Evans Friendships strengthen department Jon Fowler, head of the Missouri Southern art department, feels the strength of his department lies in the bonds of friendship between students and faculty. Fowler said the smaller student- teacher ratio at Southern provides for more personalized instruction than at many larger colleges. Southern has offered an art degree since 1967, and the art department has experienced many changes in that time. Beginning in the fall of 1985, the department will offer com¬ mercial art. Fowler feels the addition of com¬ mercial art will further strengthen Southerns art department and offer a greater appeal to students. Southern offers a well-rounded course of study that features a strong base to work from. The number of hours required for an art degree is ex¬ tremely competitive with not only other state institutions but national ones as well. Fowler feels that while Southerns art department may be smaller in quantity, it lacks nothing in quality. Southern may not have the diversity of other colleges, but it is growing in that direction. Its studios are well equipped and the physical design is ideal. The art department enjoys friendly bonds with both the Joplin Council for the Arts and the Spiva Art League. The Spiva Art Center offers a great ad¬ vantage to Southern ' s students in that most schools have their own small and limited galleries, but Spiva offers a large gallery that contains a little bit of everything. Some students are fortunate enough to be employed at the Center as career preparatioh. Every year in cooperation with the local high schools the department sponsors an Art Competitive. High school seniors can submit a portfolio forjudging, and the winner receives a $500 scholarship. Southern s facul¬ ty also enjoys close ties with the area art teachers, many of whom are Southern graduates. The education offered by Southern s art department is as good or better than any in the state, including! University of Missouri-Columbiaal Southwest Missouri State Universi according to Fowler. Many of Southerns art gradual have faired well in the job marl One graduate is the head of the and advertising for the Wal-Mart c poration based in Bentonville, ( Many graduates have made a livi selling their works out of their o private studios. Others have gone to do well in graduate school. Fowler feels today s art students more career-oriented than those the 1960 s because they are decidi earlier which direction they l travel. Where students used to sti lay-out, paste-up, typography, and brushing, they must now study cc puters and other advanced technology. Southern feels compelled to Kt up with the real world so that I students will be prepared for ther world. Art □

Page 30 text:

Art (Right) Cathy Cross sign a guest register at an art exhibit. (Below) Ovie Pritchett works on a piece of sculpture to release the form hidden within the stone.