International School of Art & Design: Alumni Exhibit 2016

January 21, 2016

  • Exhibit Dates: January 21 to March 19, 2016
  • Opening Reception: Thursday, January 21, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
  • Artist Talk begins at 7:15 p.m.

The Finlandia University International School of Art & Design(ISAD) will present an alumni exhibit at the Finlandia University Gallery, located in the Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock, from January 21 to March 19, 2016.

An opening reception for the artists will take place at the gallery Thursday, January 21, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. An artist talk will begin at 7:15 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

In the 17 years since the bachelor of fine arts (BFA) degree program began at Finlandia University, 148 students have graduated in five concentration areas: Ceramic Design, Fiber Arts + Fashion Design, Integrated Design, Graphic Design + Digital Art, and Studio Arts.

The Alumni 2016 exhibit spotlights the current work of 20 Finlandia BFA graduates.

“Our graduates have moved to all parts of the world to pursue their careers in art,” notes Gallery Director Carrie Flaspohler. “We have an alumni studying ceramics in South Korea with Hun Chung Lee, an alumni who started his own studio parlor in Oregon specializing in the production of tailor made hats, hand crafted leather goods and accessories, and several alumni who continue to live and work in Hancock. It is wonderful to see where their life journeys have taken them.”

Here are a few stories of our alumni whose work will be on display beginning January 21:

  • D.C. Wilson (’10) currently lives and works in Madison, Wisconsin. She is the Arts and Web Coordinator at a day center for adults with developmental delays, where she designs art projects and helps arrange gallery shows for her clients. D.C. also does art fairs in the summer throughout Wisconsin to sell her own work. Check out D.C.’s work at dcwilson.daportfolio.com.
  • Casey Zablocki (’08) just completed a two-year residency working and teaching at the Clay Studio of Missoula. He is currently living in South Korea working with ceramic artist Hun Chung Lee. Check out Casey’s work at zablockiceramics.com
  • Eileen Sunquist (’12) has been focusing on drumming and vocals and will present a performance of traditional West African dance tunes at the opening reception titled, Blue Heron Rhythm Experiment.
  • Bonnie Loukus has pursued book arts after graduating from Finlandia. She combines letterpress printing, bookbinding, papermaking and block printing to create limited edition books, cards, broadsides and prints. She currently works as Assistant Director at the Copper Country Community Arts Center in Hancock.
  • Amanda (Moyer) Rogers (’11) is living in Metro Detroit and working at Pewabic – a non-profit historic ceramic studio located in Detroit – as marketing coordinator. Still actively engaged in the local and national Women’s Caucus for Art, Rogers is wrapping up her last year in the role of Vice President for the national WCA. Rogers’ current art practice explores concepts of community, engagement, the history of objects, craft techniques and the role of the arts in transforming Detroit. Learn more about Amanda’s work at amandamoyer.weebly.com
  • John Fish (’10), pictured above, started a studio parlor called THIS IS FOLKLORE CO. located in Portland, Oregon. specializing in the production of tailor made hats, hand crafted leather goods and accessories. He is the soul proprietor, visionary and master hatter of this establishment. Learn more about John’s work at thisisfolklore.com.
  • Carol Kozminski (’14) is teaching in pre-school education which allows her to introduce different art tools, techniques and inspiration to young minds of various cultural backgrounds. She is also involved as a board member of the Copper Country Community Art Center and project manager of the outdoor Labyrinth and garden restoration in Hancock, while also trying her hand at the art of writing within a local memoir writing group.

Please join us at the opening reception to learn more about the work of these alumni and more. Additional mediums included in the Alumni Exhibit 2016 include ceramic design, mixed media, fashion design, painting, drawing, graphic design and product design.

The Finlandia University International School of Art & Design Alumni Exhibit 2016 will be on display until March 19, 2016.

The Finlandia University Gallery is in the Finnish American Heritage Center, 435 Quincy Street, Hancock. Gallery hours are Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 12 to 4 p.m., or by appointment. Please call 906-487-7500 for more information.

Photo Cutlines:

  • Photo 1: Amanda (Moyer) Rogers, “Opportunities in Color”, 2014, Digital Print
  • Photo 2: The artist John Fish with a custom handmade hat
  • Photo 3: D.C. Wilson,” Great Blue”, Watercolor and Ink, 2015
  • Photo 4: Bonnie Loukus, “Osteology,” woodblock print book, three page spread

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