To the average person, a body is what gets you around on a daily basis. But it is the body that provides inspiration for one Linfield artist.

For senior studio art minor Lisa Wierzbicki, the body is something she is drawn to depict on canvas with acrylic paints.

“In everything I do, I like to work with the human figure,” she said.

Wierzbicki said her favorite art class at Linfield so far has been Approaches to the Figure with Ron Mills, professor of art and visual culture.

“Lisa is an energetic and gifted painter with strong technical and design skills with a penchant for creating arresting figurative images,” Mills said.

Since high school, she has been continuously working on pieces in different mediums, including drawing and ceremics.

While studying abroad in Ecuador last spring, Wierzbicki did not have the opportunity to continue painting. She only took a basic sculpture class.

“I was nervous about getting back into the studio again,” she said. “I hadn’t painted for so long.”

However, Wierzbicki need not have worried. During her first week in the studio, an idea struck her. After a 10-hour session, she had mostly finished her first piece of the year. The result: a 4 feet by 2.5 feet canvas with a close-up image of a woman’s face lying in the grass with abstract images floating above.

“I like heightened reflections and definitive elements,” Wierzbicki said. “Rich, bright colors; things that change into other things.”

She is inspired by Vincent Van Gough, Gustav Klimt and Alphonse Mucha. Posters of these great artists’ works hang in her bedroom. Another special piece by Wierzbicki also hangs on those walls, titled “When He Holds Me.”

This painting, a woman floating in water with bubbles clinging to her hair and face, holds personal meaning for Wierzbicki.

“It is the feeling, to me, of being in a calm, peaceful place,” she said.

A painting with a completely different feeling is her favorite to display and always keeps friends talking. Titled “Firework Eyes,” two separate canvases each depict one of the artist’s own eyes in a pop-art fashion. Wierzbicki said she finds painting eyes is now “her thing.”

“I did a self-portrait sophomore year and hated it,” she said. “The only thing I liked were the eyes, so I ripped it up and cut out the eyes.” Her current piece is a life-size self-portrait and is the biggest canvas she has ever worked with.

“Her work is highly personal in many cases, but the fantasy and magic that often permeates her imagery is generally accessible,” Mills said. “I expect great things of her.”

Amber McKenna

Though his unimposing nature does not tell much about him, Tibetan artist Sonam Phuntsok’s painting speaks a thousand words, which is exactly
his intention.

“I want to deliver culture, educate and share ideas,” Phuntsok said.

Since the middle of September, the artist has been creating a traditional Thangka painting in Nicholson Library. He came to Linfield thanks to alumni Sherap and Eria Tharchen, class of 2005.

Sherap met Phuntsok at the Tibet Festival held annually in Washington.

“We had read about him and seen pictures of his work,” Sherap said. “We knew he was something special.”

There was one picture in particular that struck Sherap and Eria.

Phuntsok was commissioned by the Tibetan government in exile to do a Thangka painting for the library of the Tibetan Children’s Village in Dharamsala, India. The Children’s Village is a school, started by the Dalai Lama and the Indian government, for almost 2,000 children of Tibetan refugees.

“This painting, the Buddha of Wisdom, is very special,” Sherap said. “It represents studying through ignorance.”

It is a traditional image of the Buddha of Wisdom that Phuntsok has been diligently creating for two full weeks. The image focuses on education and the increase of knowledge. Phuntsok said the sword in the painting represents the sharpness of the mind and flames on the sword signify the way education burns away unawareness.

While a student at Linfield, Sherap worked in Nicholson Library for
four years.

“I knew the library would be the perfect place for Sonam,” Sherap said, “People can see him work from the beginning.”

For Phuntsok, the message of the painting is the most important part.

“People need to know the issues of Tibet that are not known in the world,” Phuntsok said. “There is oppression [in Tibet],
no freedom.”

He speaks from experience. A refugee of the conflict-ridden country, Phuntsok’s family escaped to India. From a young age, he was trained by his uncle in a variety of Tibetan and Buddhist arts. Phuntsok had the opportunity to study fine art in France. He spent years working as a translator in Switzerland and teaching in Nepal before eventually taking up residency in Portland in 2005, where his family joined him.

Phuntsok hopes to return to Tibet someday, after he becomes an American citizen, in order to show his children the unique culture that Tibet embodies.

For Sherap and Eria, bringing Phuntsok to campus was their way of giving back to Linfield. With the help of Kathleen Bemis, dean of the Department of Continuing Education, the Tharchens were able to bring Phuntsok to campus. The couple also brought Tibetan performers and musicians to Linfield in 2006.

Phuntsok’s visit will conclude Oct. 7 with a ceremony in the Miller Fine Arts Gallery. A Tibetan priest will do a blessing of the painting, and also on display will be a 16 feet by 22 feet piece the artist completed two years ago. The ceremony will be open to the public.

Katy Thompson

The typical Linfield student spends a lot of time in their dorm room doing nothing but studying.  They spend hours poring over their books, but every once in a while they need a break. That’s when they should make time to go exploring. A good place to start doing that this fall is Currents Gallery.

Currents Gallery is a fine arts cooperative on Third Street, meaning it is artist-owned and artist-managed.

“There are 12 artists, and each one of them partake in the responsibilities of ownership,” Ilsa Perse, one of the artists, said.

At Currents Gallery a member’s work is featured in a solo show each month as a way to encourage the improvement of the individual as an artist. 

“Currents has always been a mainstay of the Art and Wine Walk,” Perse said. “Our co-op was founded with the intention of functioning for the art walk.”

These shows coincide with McMinnville’s Art and Wine Walk, which takes place the third Saturday of each month.

“We hang the gallery every month with a different theme so there is never a repeat show,” Perse said.

The Art and Wine Walk is an opportunity for community businesses to host art shows highlighting the works of local artists. Usually, there are at least three galleries that participate, along with various bistros and cafés. 

“There has always been this connection between good art and good food,” Perse said.

From one look at the gallery, it is clear that Currents respects the correlation between art and food. The gallery had this in mind from its initial founding.

Frank Kolwicz, another member of the co-op, said Back Door Studio is a subdivision of Currents and is used as a teaching facility.

Back Door Studio offers a wide variety of classes throughout the year. Upcoming is a class in basic beading Sept. 27 from
noon to 4 p.m.

Then there will be a two-day photography session Friday, Oct. 3 from 6 p.m.–9:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 4 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Also offered at Back Door Studio is a mixed media drawing course that focuses on composition, line and use of space.

“After an artist has participated in these classes, they will have sharpened some of their most basic art skills,” Kolwicz said.

Another McMinnville art hot spot is Union Block Coffee. It is a quaint café where students and McMinnvillians alike come to sit, chat and enjoy neighborhood artists over a good cup of coffee. The open space offers a great view of historic Third Street.

Take the time to walk, ride or drive to Third Street and check out the local art walk. You just might find yourself pleasantly surprised by what you see. If interested in more information, stop by Currents Gallery or call 503-435-1316.

Septembre  Russell

Comedian Geoff Keith took the stage of Ice Auditorium Sept. 20 and
gave an exceptional show.
     According to Keith’s Web site he was voted Orange County’s Funniest Person in 2005 and has opened for comedians such as Jeremy Hotz and Pablo Francisco.

One word, Keith said, can be used to describe his personality: funny.
     “I think there are a lot of funny people,” he said.

Being onstage and making people happy are his favorite aspects of stand-up comedy.
   “Happy people are better people,” Keith said.

He kept the audience delighted even as he sipped from his bottled water. The overall atmosphere of his performance was fantastic; Keith carried a delightful presence and his interplay with the audience showed his improvisational swiftness.
    Junior Linfield Activities Board Special Events Chair Krista Foltz said she watched videos of Keith’s comedy before inviting him to campus, and said he was great to work with.

“I knew from some of his videos he’d have explicit material in his show,” Foltz said. “I never really asked him what [his] dirtiest joke was.”

Knowing that some of Keith’s material may be perceived offensively, Foltz said, she was careful to inform the audience of such in ads.

“I enjoyed his show,” Foltz said. “I thought some of it was edgy, though.” Keith remained on stage for over an hour and a half.
    “He was only supposed to be here an hour,” Foltz said. “That just shows what a great performer he is.”

Keith said he liked the audience, and that the the audience at Linfield was different from what he expected.

Foltz said LAB is incorporating unique styles and tastes on campus.

“We’re switching it up this year,” Foltz said. “We’re  bringing [in] a hypnotist in October.”
     Students can expect more of the same caliber of comedian on campus she said. So far Keith and Megan Mooney have proved excellent choices and add variety to the talent scheduled to visit campus.

“I’m a fan of variety,” Foltz said.

Stand-up talent such as Keith’s is ideal for college audiences because he relates to them as a result of a shared generation. Sophomore Janys Olsen said she had not heard of him before the show, but was shocked at how young Keith was.
    “I was really surprised Linfield actually got a younger comedian,” Olsen said. “I loved how his [stand-up] was pointed toward our generation, our age group.”

Keith’s next show is Sept. 30 at Ontario Improv in Ontario, Calif.  More information about Keith and scheduled appearances can be found on his Web site.

Nicole Szanto

This evening Delkin Recital Hall will host the Ranney-Hildegard Ensemble.

This will be the first time a group this size from outside campus has performed in Delkin, and it will be the first performance of the school year to be performed there.

The show will feature a variety of musical talent. Halcyon Trio Oregon, Koinonia Early Music Consort, Cynthia McGladerly and John Ranney will come together as the Ranney-Hildegard Ensemble, performing pieces composed by Ranney and inspired by the texts of poet Hildegard von Bingen.

She said putting together the show has been hard work but also a joy.

“Performing in Delkin is a much more intimate experience than Ice Auditorium, and I hope it encourages students who are interested in performing,” McGladerly said.

Ranney has been a composer and performer for more than sixty years. He has performed  pianist, harpsichordist and organist.

The Halcyon Trio Oregon is a chamber music ensemble that features soprano, keyboard and trumpet. The three-person group is comprised of Linfield professors.

The ensemble plays music from a variety of different composers and eras. They performed in Norway in 2007, receiving several commissioned works and  as well as earning the Neskowin Chamber Music Fellowship for new, developing chamber ensembles.

Soprano soloist Jackie Van Paepeghem is well known for her work with Halcyon Trio Oregon and for her accomplishments as a soprano for the Boise Opera and symphonic percussionist with the Boise Philharmonic.

She also has taught voice, piano and ear training at George Fox University, Marylhurst University and West Virginia University, among others.

Trumpeter Joan Paddock is the conductor of the Linfield wind symphony and concert band and is coordinator of instrumental activities. As an international soloist, she has traveled to Mexico, Europe, Japan, Jordan, Israel, Southeast Asia and Canada. Ranney composed “Fantasy in Blue” for Paddock, which has become a hallmark piece. As a music history teacher, she is familiar with the life of Hildegard von Bingen.

“People who go to this performance who don’t have a background in music may get a different impression,” Paddock said. “Everyone will be able to take something away from the show. It is, good music well-performed and fun.” 

The pianist of the group Debra Huddleston has worked with internationally renowned conductors such as Dale Warland. She has participated in European concert tours and has performed at Western Oregon, Willamette and Portland State Universities.

Hildegard von Bingen is a key figure in music history. A woman of many talents, she was involved in a number of pursuits as musician, writer and gardner, she even wrote books on medicine.

“The poetry is exciting, approachable [and] spiritual and can be interpreted in many ways. There is a familiarity but it makes you think,” McGladerly said. 

The free concert is open to the public. The first 100 people to arrive will be seated.

They will be playing for a larger venue Sept. 21 at the First United Methodist Church in Salem.

The talented instrumentals and vocals will offer a festive environment and dramatic performance with interactive pieces.     

Although the pieces, will not being staged they will require the performers to react to each other, drawing the audience in to experience the show and take meaning from the performance as more than a musical.

“I hope the audience will take away a greater curiosity and enjoyment of contemporary classical music, and they feel better when they leave than when they came,” McGladerly said.

Eric Stones

“82,769 Signatures” is sure to get everyone thinking critically about their responsibilities as voters and how their decisions can affect the world.

It has been described as an exploration of the world of politics. The play is based on the Oregon citizen initiative, which is the process where an individual can collect signatures from voters in order to propose a change to state law.

The citizen initiative has had a large impact on the topics people vote on. Issues such as gay rights, land use, taxes, physician-assisted suicide and education have all been influenced by this process.

Director and associate professor of communication arts and director of forensics Jackson Miller wrote the play.

He said he hopes it will make students think more critically about politics overall.

“It has been very enjoyable, but it’s a crazy way to start the semester,” Miller said. “You know, we’ve had three-hour rehearsals every night to prepare, it’s very tiring but it’s worth it.”

Through his work, Miller said he hopes make everyone think about their voting choices.

Senior Matthew Cantelon has been working with Miller on the play.

“It’s been a really fun process, it’s a really different kind of interactive theater,” Cantelon said.

Cantelon talked about how the audience will be a big part of the performance as a whole. At one point in the play, two actors simulate a conflict and audience members step in to resolve it.

At another point audience members volunteer conflicts from their lives and the actors act them out.

When asked if he was nervous about improvising a performance he simply said they rehearsed it and he is excited to see how it will turn out in front of an audience.

“I hope people can see how they’ve made a difference on some pretty big issues,” he said.

Opening night of“82,769 Signatures” is Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. in Marshall Theater of Ford Hall, and it will run for three days. The play is general admittance so buy tickets early to ensure a seat.

The box office opens Sept. 24.

Scott Cinatl

On Sept. 15 in Ice Auditorium, Linfield students and the local community were treated to a recital of pieces composed by Ludwig van Beethoven. 

The recital was performed by University of Oregon Associate Professor of Piano Dean Kramer.  Kramer has a distinctive background as a musical performer.

He played for numerous symphonies across the country, including the Eugene Symphony here in Oregon.  He received honors for both the American Chopin Competition in 1972 as well as the International Chopin Competition in 1975. Kramer was also one of four pianists chosen to tour for the United States Information Agency’s Cultural Ambassador program in 1984. He has been a part of the music department at the U of O for 25 years. 
       

The recital was structured chronologically, beginning with some of Beethoven’s first compositions and progressing to his final works.  He also performed popular works such as “Grande Sonata Pathetique” and “Moonlight Sonata.” 

During the performance, he displayed a great amount of passion and energy to capture the emotion that Beethoven may have felt during each of his compositions.  At the end of Kramer’s recital, the audience, both young and old, gave him a standing ovation.

Beethoven was one of the most influential Classical/Romantic period pianists, Kramer said. He strayed away from the popular and created compositions so far advanced that early 19th-century society perceived his music as abnormal.  Though not immediately revered for his accomplishments, later on he would be praised later on for his works. 

Kramer said he was amazed by the fact that
 every piece Beethoven created displayed how he truly felt in each composition, and  that is why it takes an enormous amount of passion to make each composition genuine. 


Kramer said music is supposed to capture one’s emotion or the general feeling of a population in a certain time period. 
         

 Kramer said he finds it impressive that Beethoven’s music is still praised and listened to today, although it is apparent that the current generation is starting to stray from appreciating classical music.

Regardless, it is important to allow music to be a part of everyday life, because it is one of the few time capsules that can bring the greatest feelings out of everyone, Kramer said.

Evan Wingren

It is a new year, which means a fresh batch of improvisation from Linfield’s Awkward Moose club.

The club was established in 2006 and has continued to grow each year. Senior Matt Cantelon is one of the founders and has been involved since the beginning.

 “We have about 30 members this year,” Cantelon said.

Senior Zane Johnston recalls the first year of the club.

“We were lucky to have six to eight people in our meetings that first year,” he said.

Cantelon said the idea started when he and some of his friends attended a theater conference and decided improv would be a great club to have at Linfield.

“Matt has really been the driving force for the club,” Johnston said. “Up until 2006, there were attempts to start improv clubs. They would just have a couple meetings and sort of fizzle out.”

There have also been improvements in other areas.

“We have a lot more members attending meetings, and our chemistry has really increased acting together these past two years,” Cantelon said.

Awkward Moose acts out mostly short form improvisation and some long form.

The group plans to perform at ComedySportz in Portland this spring, as well as give performances on campus.

On Aug. 29, the group did an improvisation show during freshman orientation that seemed to be a huge. It was also the group’s largest show to date: Approximately 250 people showed up to watch the quick wit and drama of the show.

“Usually we just have our shows in Withnell Commons, and we just set up, like, 40 chairs and fill up half of them, but that was crazy,” Johnston said.

However, not everyone was a fan of the show.
Linfield received complaints from parents about the nature of some of
the skits.

“The actors in the improv group are all very talented, creative and quick-thinking, and we appreciated their skill. Unfortunately, the content often was somewhere between crude and obscene…We were saddened and a little surprised about this performance being part of the Linfield College-sponsored orientation schedule, and we wanted to let you know for future reference,” a letter from a parent said.

“We don’t try to offend people,” Cantelon said. “We just try to do the scenes as honestly and best [as] possible.”

Following the show, Johnston said the group spoke and decided that they should be more careful of the content of their shows, especially when parents are around.

With most of the leadership in the club graduating this year, Cantelon and Johnston said they hope the club will continue to build and prosper. Elections will be held in April to fill the leadership positions.

Awkward Moose welcomes new members. Meetings are Monday nights from 9:30-11 p.m. in Whithnell Commons.

“Improv is easy because everyone is funny,” Cantelon said. “You just have to teach yourself not to say no and say the first thing that comes to your head.”

The club also invites people to come watch if they don’t feel like improvising.

“The funny thing that  people don’t know is that a lot of people just come to watch,” Johnston said.

Awkward Moose will perform in Fred Meyer Lounge on Oct. 2.