Student organizers Jessica Runyan and Jared Richardson discuss their symposium experience

About a decade ago, the ancient form of Japanese woodblock printing was considered by some to be a dying art form — then BYU alumnus Jed Henry came along and shook things up. Henry took a genre of Japanese woodblock printing known as ukiyo-e — which translates into English as 'pictures of the floating world” — and gave it new life by using it to represent his other love: video games. Although Japanese woodblock printing may seem niche, Henry says it is gaining traction. “It’s a growing scene largely because of our efforts to draw attention to this craft, to this medium, through pop culture connections,” he said. Henry’s latest accomplishment is an exhibit in the Harold B. Library Auditorium titled “New Kids on the Block,” which he says is a punny nod to the process of block printing as well as a comment on how he and his business partner, Dave Bull, have “stormed onto the Japanese tradition print making scene.” The exhibit will be up until May 24, 2019. The idea to hold an exhibit at BYU was facilitated by Japanese professor Jack Stoneman, who, according to Henry, thought an exhibit would be a great way to promote Japanese culture on campus. “I’m very grateful for all the hard work and planning that went into making the exhibit look good. I think it was a success,” said Henry. For Henry, the exhibit also represented the first time all of his work has been displayed together. Usually his prints are stored in stacks or in folders in his office and other places. “To have them all up in one place for viewing is a little overwhelming,” said Henry, “I’ve been doing this for seven years now and it’s amazing how much a catalog of pieces can build up over that much time of dedicated, focused work.” The theme of the exhibit is inspired by Henry’s general approach to his work. “I didn’t do any work to match the theme of the exhibit, but rather the exhibit was created to reflect the focus of my work — breathing new life into a traditional medium by combining it with more relevant pop culture references that speak to modern people,” said Henry. As people look through his work, Henry says the experience is like “a guessing game.” “With the pop culture references we use, I think people have a lot of fun trying to recognize this or that video game or this or that movie when it’s veiled in a new light with this traditional Japanese art style,” said Henry. Henry also hopes that individuals who view the exhibit will be inspired to learn more about traditional Japanese printmaking and perhaps even experiment with it on their own. Through his and his business partner’s efforts, many people have been introduced to the art form. Henry says he works with individuals from all over the world, including Brazil, Mexico and the U.K. His work has also paved the way for more diversity in the industry. “A lot of our partners, employees and contractors are women who — as it is with most things in Japanese traditional culture — were traditionally excluded from participation,” said Henry. “They are very talented craftspeople who otherwise might not have been able to have work in the male-dominated arena of Japanese printmaking.” Henry and his partner have created hundreds of jobs in the craft, something Henry says is funny since they’re “an American guy and a Canadian guy.” But Henry’s widespread success may never have happened were it not for his outlook on art. “I always approach my work as a balance between what I want to express as an artist and also what I think customers will want,” said Henry. “Be yourself as an artist and express your true feelings about things through your art — don't be a hack, don't be fake, don't just chase the dollar — but also be your most marketable self.” Approaching art in this manner has allowed Henry to work on art every day and also have a stable economic situation. However, Henry warns that the life of an artist, while enjoyable, is not an easy path. “You have to work harder than most people in life,” said Henry. “The 40-hour work week with three weeks of paid vacation and benefits may not be the life that you get to live, but you can be very successful in the arts if you are willing to approach your work from a 50-50 balance between artistic integrity or emotional expression balanced with creating products that people want to buy, collect or display in their homes.” Henry says this attitude was something he picked up during his time as an undergraduate in BYU’s animation program. He said his animation professors, Kelly Loosli and Brent Adams, didn’t shy away from being realistic with him about what it would take to make it as an artist. “Kelly and Brent really galvanized my work ethic, which has continued to this day,” said Henry. “I work crazy hours and I get up really early in the morning so I can get some work done before my kids get up. I try to have a work-life balance, but I sacrifice sleep and maybe some hobbies. I sacrifice those hours to work on this more because I know what it takes to make a living in the arts.” To learn more about Henry and his work, visit his exhibit or watch his documentary “Art of the Game: Ukiyo-e Heroes.”

Every college student has moments of overwhelming stress, whether they are 23 years old or 70 years old. But in these moments, Rick Chestnut relies on the BYU Bell Tower.

Ainsley Rose Romero, a senior at Brigham Young University graduating in graphic design, beat out students and young professional graphic designers from around the country to win Command X, the graphic design equivalent of Chopped, American Idol or The Great British Baking Show. CommandX is sponsored by AIGA, the largest professional association for design in the United States, and was held at its annual design conference in Pasadena, CA, earlier this month. Finish reading the story at BYU News.

Writer: Douglas ThomasIf you thought your finals were stressful, imagine creating your final projects live, reality tv show–style, in front of three judges and thousands of your peers.

BA Art student Elisabeth Baird feels most inspired when making art —not in the solitude of her studio, but with other people. As a future teacher (she is earning an art education licensure), Baird draws on the power of art to inspire understanding and connection. So when she learned about socially engaged art in a class from Professor Dan Barney, it seemed a natural fit. Read more on the Department of Art's website.

Weir will speak at the Department of Dance, School of Music and Department of Theatre and Media Arts Convocation at 3 p.m. on April 26

Welch will speak at the Department of Art and Department of Design Convocation at 12 p.m. on April 26 Initially, Chloe Welch was an art major. Having grown up doing arts and crafts, she felt comfortable in the art world. “It's always kind of been my thing,” said Welch. However, as time went by, Welch realized she wanted to work with others more, so she changed her major to art education. “I realized instead of just making art alone, I wanted to make it in this big group setting and have a place to be inspired and a place to inspire,” she said. “As an art educator, you get to talk about what you're passionate about all day and have this community of artists that work with you.” This interconnectivity impacted a lot of Welch’s college experience as well. Some of her defining college experiences are moments when she made something alongside her classmates or was introduced to someone else’s art process. “One of my first experiences here at BYU was in my first Art-Ed intro class,” Welch said. “We walk in and the professor was there, and she said, ‘Hey, everybody, I'm going to go, but you guys need to build a fort in here. Go. See you later.’ She left and we built this giant fort in the middle of the classroom and worked together and got to know each other through building and making things.” Another defining experience happened when one of her professors, Dan Barney, who works in textile arts, introduced the class to yarn-making. Barney brought in a bag of wool just sheared off the sheep. The students each took a clump of it and learned to make yarn from the wool. “It was really cool,” said Welch. “He was teaching us about artists and teaching us about practice by showing us his own practice and letting us participate in that. Interconnection is also what inspires Welch to teach and to make art. In a world of conflicts and tough issues, Welch has found art helps her organize her thoughts and work through her feelings. “Making art is a way for me to process things,” she said. “Whenever something happens or I’m thinking about something I need to have an output. Then I can look at that thing, see what that is, and actually deconstruct it. When it's just in my head swirling around it's hard. So, I think a lot of it is just the world and my life and how that intersects.” While art helps Welch deal with the bigger, sometimes weightier things, teaching is her way of trying to contribute to the world. “I think it’s important to be a part of what’s going on in the world,” she said. “And what better place than a school where there’s so many students and they’re all growing up in this world and going off to make choices? I’d really love to be a part of that and influence them for good and tell them to consider art as something they can have in their life.” Welch plans to make a career of teaching art and will be looking for teaching positions in Utah, preferably in secondary education. She says she’s open to any opportunities that cross her path. Q&A with Chloe Welch, BA '19 Art | Art Education (K-12) What’s your favorite snack? “I love all chips. They’re my favorite food, actually. All chips are created equal.” What do you wish more people knew about your major? “I guess that they just knew about the major. It's just really small and it feels like a tight family. I wish more people knew this existed and considered it. I think that teaching in general — whether it's your plan A or plan B — is a great plan to have in life. No matter who you are, whatever you do in your life, you're going to be a teacher at some point, whether you're training a new employee or teaching your kids. Combining that with art, you still get all of the studio classes and all the art experience, but then you also get these awesome teaching skills that are so important for life.” What did was your dream occupation as a child? 'I wanted to be a construction worker. I could definitely still go that route. Growing up in Arizona, it was just farmland and some of it was being developed. So I always saw construction workers when we were driving around. It looked so fun, to get to build stuff. I think that aspect of construction was what was most attractive to me, that you get to make this whole new creation. I think as an artist that's still something that I achieve every day, but don't have to be inside in the heat.'

Hastings will perform at the Department of Dance, School of Music and Department of Theatre and Media Arts Convocation at 3 p.m. on April 26 At the start of her academic career at BYU, Morgan Hastings thought she’d major in psychology, despite her lifelong experience with dance. “I was really frustrated because I felt that there was a stigma with other students thinking all dancers are stupid,” Hastings said. “I thought I’d major in something else.” That plan didn’t last long. “I came to this realization, ‘why am I doing something else when I love ballet?’ I've always wanted to dance professionally,” Hastings said. Now that she’s on the brink of graduating, Hastings is closer to that dream than she’s ever been. “I've been auditioning and sending audition videos out to companies,” she said. Hastings has also expressed interest in going to graduate school, either to study dance or dance movement therapy. “It kind of depends on where my life goes and what happens on the way,” she said. Wherever her life takes her, though, dance will be a part of it. Not only has Hastings taken dance classes from a young age, she has also participated in intensives and has studied abroad with established dance institutions. “After my senior year of high school, I was just really focusing on ballet,” Hastings explained. “I did some summer intensives after that senior year. One of them was with the Bolshoi Academy.” The Bolshoi Academy, based out of Moscow, Russia, is a moving force in the ballet world and has produced some of this generation’s greatest stars in the industry. Hastings was excited to be asked to continue studying with them after the intensive in New York ended. “I was shocked at the invitation and didn’t really think it was a possibility,” Hastings said. “I kind of thought it was this dream. But, with lots of support, I ended up going and I lived there for a year studying ballet.” After returning to the United States and spending some time studying at Utah Valley University, Hastings began studying at BYU. Among her most memorable experiences at BYU was on last year’s Theater Dance tour in New Mexico. “Our tour bus broke down several times,” Hastings said. “For a couple of the performances, we were ten minutes late and had three minutes to get our costumes on, get our pointe shoes on, get everything ready and go on stage and perform. Even though we felt like a mess, the people that were at the performances were so appreciative of us being able to share our talents.” In the hopes of combating the stereotype that dance students aren’t as academically challenged or capable, Hastings has diligently sought to maintain her GPA. She’s proud to have maintained a 3.9 or higher during her academic career at BYU. Hastings is currently auditioning for dance companies — including the London Ballet Company — and is looking forward to the future, including moving to the United Kingdom after marrying her fiancé. Q&A with Morgan Hastings, BA '19 Dance | Dance What did you want to be when you grew up? “When I was younger, I was actually super interested in the medical field. I’m the youngest of six kids and I have three sisters, including one who is a nurse and one who is a dancer. I love the human body and it fascinates me, but as time passed I just knew that dance was the route. Right now, I’m in kinesiology, which explores the muscles of the joints and so I still get to study and understand the body better, which is cool. So, I still have been able to achieve part of that childhood dream. I still get to study and understand the body better.” What is the hardest thing you had to overcome? “I have depression. I hated high school because we were trying to find medication that would work. The first couple that we tried kind of backfired and went in the opposite direction. It just made things worse. We tried more, and I just got to a point where I felt numb and felt no emotion. That was really, really challenging. It’s interesting, we finally found a medication that works, and I was in a good place and stable. When I went to Russia, it was hard. I was surrounded by so many girls with various mental disorders and eating disorders but I’ve seen how the gospel and a knowledge of the plan of salvation has really affected my ability to stay afloat and pull out of that. As I’ve — through dance — come to understand myself better and understand how I react to things and I’ve been able to cope better. Dance has helped me with that, which is really cool. In a lot of circumstances, it can take people down the opposite path because of the body image. There are just so many things that make people think so negatively about themselves and that can encourage depression rather than discourage it. It’s been interesting to see how it’s kind of had the opposite effect on me. It’s helped me and given me confidence.” Favorite snack for between classes? “I love nuts. Cashews, almonds, peanuts. Anyone in the dance department or anyone in my apartment complex, if they know me, they know I always have a bag of trail mix or a bag of mixed nuts in my hand to snack on.”

Duque will speak at the Department of Art and Department of Design Convocation at 12 p.m. on April 26 Annelise Duque knew she wanted to be an artist from a fairly young age. Having been raised by two professors — one of whom was a ceramic artist — Annelise decided on her career path early on. However, she originally planned on studying illustration, since she thought it would help her on that journey. “I had a professor in a non-major watercolor class I took for fun, and she had gotten her BFA in the studio art program here at BYU,” Duque said. “She said, ‘Annelise, do you know what illustration really entails?’ Because I thought that it was all kids books, but it turns out it’s a lot more commission-based.” Wanting to make more of her own artistic decisions, Duque decided studio art was closer to what she was looking for in a major and career path. “The art program, compared to the design and illustration programs, is more about individual artists and what they want to do and their own path,” Duque said. “They’re still great, just different. So, I started making art more about myself.” Her experience in the Department of Art has been overwhelmingly positive, she says. She found her professors to be very caring and personally invested. The biggest standout moment to her was when her professor, Joe Ostraff, offered to give her the shirt off his back. “He was wearing this really cool long-sleeve white t-shirt with these graphic letters hand-printed onto it,” Duque said. She told him she liked the shirt and he asked if she’d like to have it. “I said, ‘Joe, I’m not going to take the literal shirt off of your back. I don’t need your shirt,’” Duque said. “Then the next day in class he just gave me the shirt all laundered and everything. I’m going to keep it forever.” Duque is hopeful looking to the future. While some see art degrees as less-than-useful, she insists that they are versatile. “When people ask you what you’re going to do once you graduate, a lot of people say, ‘I’m going to be an artist,’” Duque said. “A lot of people think that you just want to be an artist or you are going to try to be a high school art teacher or something, but our professors tell us all the time about students who have graduated in our program and now work as content creators or design consultants. An artistic background can help you get into new jobs.” Duque plans on working toward becoming an art professor. Having been raised by two professors, she says it runs in her blood. “I’ve always wanted to be a professor,” Duque said. “I think because of that, my professors have made an effort to find me teaching opportunities or jobs that could help me get to that point. They’ve provided me with so much resume material that has really made me confident.” The word of wisdom Duque would leave other students, particularly women, is to stop selling themselves short. Though the art program is mostly composed of women, there aren’t many women that go on to study in graduate school and there are even fewer female professors in the program. “You have to just keep going,” Duque said. “Follow your path, follow your dreams, even if it feels stupid.” Q&A with Annelise Duque, BFA '19 Art | Art When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up? 'I was all over the place. I wanted to be an opera singer for probably the first eight years of my life, but then I wanted to be like my mom. She was a ceramic artist, and growing up she let me play around with clay and with paint and with all these different tools.' What’s your favorite snack to eat between classes? 'I get the cheese sticks and the flaxseed tortilla chips that are shaped like hexagons. Our art classes are three hours long during lunch and nap time, so a little bit of protein and salt helps wake you up in your classes.' Who or what is your inspiration? “I am inspired by my advisor. Her name is Jen Watson and she is the coolest person in the world. She got her BFA here, her undergrad here, and then she quit art for ten years or something. She became a snowboard instructor and really got to know herself and what she wanted to do. After that long break she realized, ‘I can be an artist on my own terms.’ And so she went to grad school and then she got hired here.”

Kamba will speak at the Department of Art and Department of Design Convocation at 12 p.m. on April 26

Forsyth will speak at the Department of Art and Department of Design Convocation at 12 p.m. on April 26