Art students move downtown to Monarch Art Factory
February 26, 2010
Contact: Paul K. Logsdon, Director of Public Relations and Publications (417) 865-2815, ext. 7292
Monarch Art Factory Building
Photo by Paul Logsdon
Bellwether Gallery Entrance
Photo by Randy Bacon
Bellwether Gallery Interior
Photo by Randy Bacon
Springfield, Mo — Evangel University has formed a partnership with Randy Bacon Photography Studio & Art Gallery, located inside the Monarch Art Factory, allowing Evangel art students to participate in Springfield’s First Friday Art Walk.
Their first exhibition will be March 5 from 6-10 p.m. The Monarch is located at 600 W. College St. and is a primary destination for the popular monthly event.
“I am very excited about Evangel University coming to the Monarch Art Factory and being an art presence in downtown Springfield,” said Bacon. “This partnership will allow many more people throughout the area to view the wonderful art that is coming from Evangel’s students and faculty. This is a major addition to the local art community.”
Evangel art students and faculty will be exhibiting in the Bellwether Gallery, a 1,250-square-foot space that has an entrance on the Main Street side of the block-long Art Factory. Evangel will also be included in Art Walk promotional materials and advertising.
Springfield’s First Friday Art Walk is a year-round attraction that features fine art, music and good food, and attracts thousands to the center city each month.
“The Evangel campus sits outside of the official borders established for the downtown Art Walk,” said Mike Buesking, associate professor of art at Evangel. “By opening his facility to us, Randy has made it possible for Evangel students and faculty to showcase their artwork to a broader audience. We are very excited about this opportunity.”
In addition to the monthly Art Walk hours, the Bellwether Gallery will keep weekday hours from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
“I can already tell a difference in the sense of purpose displayed by our art students,” said Buesking. “People outside of the Evangel community will be viewing their work, so they are energized by having their ideas and talents added to the art scene in Springfield.”
Art education at Evangel
Evangel University’s Barnett Fine Arts Center is a state-of-the-art facility opened in 2002. All art majors are required to take foundation courses consisting of 2-D design, 3-D design, drawing, painting, sculpture, and printmaking, and 12 credits of art history.
In addition:
- The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree candidates can select from three areas of specialization — graphic design, painting or sculpture. The BFA degree consists of 70 credits of art.
- The Bachelor of Arts degree consists of 45 credits of art, with a minor in another area of interest.
- The Bachelor of Arts in Art Education degree consists of courses that meet the Missouri state requirements for certification.
For more information, contact Michael Buesking at 417-865-2715, ext. 7281