PNC Odyssey Arts and Cultural Events Series Opens Oct. 6

WESTVILLE – Purdue University North Central will celebrate the seventh year of its Odyssey Arts and Cultural Events Series with a public opening of its multi-piece contemporary sculpture exhibit, Odyssey 2005 – 06 on Thursday, Oct. 6, at 3:30 p.m. in the Library-Student-Faculty Building Assembly Hall Room 02.
The program is free and open to the public. Families and children are encouraged to attend. Refreshments will be served.

The Odyssey exhibit brings together nine new sculptures that bring a total of 27 sculptures to grace the 305 acre campus of PNC.

S. Thomas Scarff, in his seventh year as curator of the PNC Odyssey sculpture shows, remarked, "This show will be filled with colorful and compelling pieces that will stir the imagination. Each year we see new pieces that are created in various media that evoke a range of emotions, sentiments and outlooks.”

The Odyssey Cultural Series will feature a number of other events throughout the year, including exhibits of art, film showings and presentations.

Artists who will debut their works as part of Odyssey 2005-06 are:

John E. Bannon whose work, “Eye Candy," will combine his mastery of neon and nanotechnologic material of more than 100 miniscule layers creating an intensely holographic, color- changing experience,” on U.S. 421. Bannon teaches at the art of holography in Chicago.

Faheem Majeed, a graduate of Howard University, Washington, D.C., now of Chicago, will debut “My Transition.”

Rob Lorenson, professor of sculpture at Bridgewater State University, in Massachusetts, will exhibit “First Gear,” a stainless steel work, reminiscent of his experience in Chicago, amidst “the industrial vernacular, where many machines are visible in transport, thus reflecting Chicago’s industrial heritage.”

David Noguchi’s “Rise” will be a reminder of the two works created for last year’s Freedom Series, "Forever Ours, I and II." The piece is perched atop a 7-foot-tall base. It represents a joyous experience."

Bruce White, whose works are included in permanent museum and corporate collections, and has had solo exhibitions in such places as the Peoples Republic of China (1989), will debut three colorful pieces –“Ghostship,” a composite of memories from childhood, “Escapade,” suggesting a celebratory, wild party. White was the teacher and mentor of Rob Lorensen when they were at Northern Illinois University.

White’s third piece, “Twin Fin Continuum,” is a gift to PNC from an anonymous party and will be permanently installed on the grounds.

Ed Shay, professor of Art at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, will debut “Skyscraper with Crutches,” a 19-foot-high work. Shay, whose work has been exhibited at The White House, has been director of the School of the Art Institute’s Oxbow Summer Program in Saugatuck, Mich. He was also the recipient of a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. One of his works resides at Thoreau’s Walden Pond in Massachusetts.

Curator, Scarff, has also created a piece entitled “Fighter.”

According to Judy Jacobi, PNC director of marketing, the show’s coordinator, many of the sculptors will be present at the opening, and will have ample time this year to speak about their works. Tours will be available immediately following the program.

Existing Odyssey pieces are:

John Adduci – Running Arch

Mike Helbing — Skynet with Objects, My Victory

Dessa Kirk – Emilee

Michele Goldstrom — Oh! 

Kara James — Handmade Revolution

Rob Lorenson — Sentinel

Eric Nordgulen — Anatomy Vessel

David Noguchi — Forever Ours II

Fritz Olsen — Passage To Freedom through Winds of Change

S. Thomas Scarff— Geisha Rose, Rainbow Flyer, Windfighter

Jessica M. Swift — Light Time/Flight Time

Barry Tinsley — Springville Portal

Michael Young — A Point Free

Zelda Werner — Alexander's Circus

Most works are for sale.

Further information about the Odyssey Arts and Cultural Events Series can be obtained by contacting Judy Jacobi, director of marketing at 800-872-1231, ext. 5593. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact ext. 5593.

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