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Students and Faculty in the College of Fine Arts and Communications Bridge Imagination and Innovation in the Dynamic World of Arts and Media.

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BYU Alumnus Breathes New Life into Ancient Art Form

April 24, 2019 12:00 AM
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.”
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Persistence pays off for 70-year-old film graduate

April 23, 2019 10:00 PM
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.
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Design Student Wins Top Spot at National Competition

April 22, 2019 12:00 AM
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.
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BYU graphic design student tops national competition at CommandX

April 19, 2019 10:00 PM
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.
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Elisabeth Baird Applies Socially Engaged Art To Wilderness Therapy

April 18, 2019 12:00 AM
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.
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Piano Major CJ Madsen Finds Connection with Fellow Musicians

April 12, 2019 12:00 AM
Madsen will perform at the Department of Art and Department of Design Convocation at 12 p.m. on April 26
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Flutist Catherine Boyack Shares Joys, Challenges from Her Time in the School of Music

April 12, 2019 12:00 AM
Boyack 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
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Bass Performance Major Christian Hales Finds Human Connection Through Music

April 12, 2019 12:00 AM
Hales will perform at the School of Communications Convocation at 9 a.m. on April 26
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Illustration Major Melissa Kamba Shares Artistic Journey

April 12, 2019 12:00 AM
Kamba will speak at the Department of Art and Department of Design Convocation at 12 p.m. on April 26
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Graphic Design Student Sienna Forsyth Shares How Taking Risks Allows Art to Thrive

April 12, 2019 12:00 AM
Forsyth will speak at the Department of Art and Department of Design Convocation at 12 p.m. on April 26
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MDT Major Channing Weir Reflects on Her Indirect Road to a BYU Degree

April 12, 2019 12:00 AM
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
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Art as a Means of Interaction: Chloe Welch on Art's Place in Her Education and in Her Life

April 12, 2019 12:00 AM
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.'
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Upcoming Events

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Arts & Entertainment

First Look Film Festival (Program B)

8:30 PM
Thursday, April 02
Don’t miss this exciting student film festival where innovation meets artistry with a wide range of work from emerging filmmakers.
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Hamlet and Zombies

7:00 PM
Friday, April 03
Shakespeare meets the undead in this hilarious, high-octane mash-up where Denmark is rotten— and not just from corruption.
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First Look Film Festival (Best of Fest and Awards)

7:30 PM
Friday, April 03
Don’t miss this exciting student film festival where innovation meets artistry with a wide range of work from emerging filmmakers.
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BYU Women’s Chorus

7:30 PM
Friday, April 03
Celebrate the power of music to bring people together with the BYU Women’s Chorus.
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Flute Choir

7:30 PM
Friday, April 03
The flute choir is a small ensemble of students who play piccolo, C flute, alto flute, and bass flute.
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Senior Capstone Concert

7:30 PM
Friday, April 03
Featuring a variety of dance genres and styles, the Senior Capstone Concert highlights the culminating work of seniors in the various dance major programs.
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Hamlet and Zombies

7:00 PM
Tuesday, April 07
Shakespeare meets the undead in this hilarious, high-octane mash-up where Denmark is rotten— and not just from corruption.
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University Orchestra and University Strings

7:30 PM
Tuesday, April 07
Enjoy an evening of orchestral music, from classical to contemporary.
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Jazz Combo Showcase

7:30 PM
Tuesday, April 07
The BYU jazz combos will perform a wide variety of music, from swing to fusion, funk to Latin, and much more!
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String Chamber Night

5:30 PM
Wednesday, April 08
This evening will feature chamber music highlights from BYU’s talented string students.
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Hamlet and Zombies

7:00 PM
Wednesday, April 08
Shakespeare meets the undead in this hilarious, high-octane mash-up where Denmark is rotten— and not just from corruption.
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BYU Symphonic Band: Sounds of Home

7:30 PM
Wednesday, April 08
In their final concert of the season, the Symphonic Band will take the audience on a journey around the world as they play portraits of home and homeland.
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College Construction

Updates on the Arts and Music Buildings

Academic Areas

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