Sunday, August 9, 2009 THE DALLAS POST PAGE 9 Friedman Gallery grand opening Exhibit by legendary artist Christopher Ries entitled "Guiding Light’ will open new gallery at Misericordia University and be on display through October 25. ] The new Pauly Friedman Art Gallery at Misericordia Universi- ty is holding its grand opening exhibit, “Guiding Light,” featur- ing a stellar exhibition of large and extraordinary pieces by leg- endary artist Christopher Ries. The much-anticipated installa- tion will run from August 22 through October 25. “It is with well-thought plan- ning Christopher Reis is the opening artist for this historic occasion at Misericordia Univer- sity’s new art gallery,” said Brian J. Benedetti, gallery director. “The art of Mr. Ries is like that of no other and shall leave a last- ing impression on individuals that experience it.” A meet-the-artist champagne reception is set for 5 to 7 p.m. n Saturday, Aug. 22, with a gallery talk by Ries immediately follow- ing in the 2,700-square-foot art gallery in Sandy and Marlene In- salaco Hall on campus. The event is open free to gallery members and the public. The two-month exhibit will feature a myriad of original piec- es ranging in size, scope and col- or, and a talk with the Tunkhan- @ ocd artist. . “Glass is the essential material which gathers, focuses, reflects, refracts, amplifies, filters and transmits light,” Ries said, de- scribing his sculptures that are on display around the world in art galleries, museums and in private, public and corporate col- lections. “I use these special light-altering abilities to create a kind of optical poetry. “We are living in the age of photonics, where heretofore, theoretical knowledge of electro- magnetic radiation (light) is now being transformed into practical life changing applica- tions. My work is a tangible sym- bol of this time,” he added. Unlike many artists who work with glass, Ries is not limited by size. The size of his sculptures does not affect the quality, but it does heighten the impact of the quality. The larger the piece, the greater the impact it has on its setting, according to the artist. His pieces transcend his limit- less, creative talents and vision. Similar artists’ pieces are rarely larger than three feet in any di- rection, but Ries oftentimes sculpts contemporary works that are two feet or more in one direc- tion, like his “Moonstone,” “Op- posing Views,” “Clear Flame,” “Copper Cove,” “Victory,” “Mo- tion,” and “Chevron 1” sculp- tures. Ries and his team create works that weigh between 200 and 2,000 pounds. Six years ago, he created, “Opus,” a disc- shaped sculpture weighing 1,476 pounds and spanning nearly 4 feet. He “communicates truth and beauty” through his sculp- tures by using near flawless glass blocks from Schott Glass Technologies in Duryea to create “an absolute engagement be- tween the object and its setting because the optical glass con- tains and reflects the colors, shapes and movements through- out every axis of its environ- ment,” Ries said. “Most artists working with glass melt it down and cast it for form, but Ries takes Schott’s sol- id blocks of crystal and sculpts it like an artist working with tradi- tional marble or even wood be- fore polishing it over and over again. “My work celebrates the awe-inspiring beauty and intel- lectual wonder of glass,” the art- ist said. Born and raised on a farm in Ohio, the rural Tunkhannock resident has a unique working relationship with the interna- tional company, Schott Glass Technologies, as an Artist-in- Residence. The local facility pro- vides free glass and support for a percentage of his commissions and recognition wherever his sculptures are displayed. Today, Ries is represented in dozens of art galleries and displayed in col- lections from Mainz, Germany to Los Angeles, Calif., and To- kyo, Japan to Pittston, Pa. He al- so participates in annual group exhibitions as far away as the Netherlands and as close as Scranton, Pa. His career and sculptures have been recognized by many in the art world. “The compelling beau- ty of Christopher Ries’ glass sculptures gives an eloquent ex- pression to the ideals of excel lence,” said Sondra Myers of the National Endowment for the Arts. Irvin J. Borowsky, founder of the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, said, “His work is timeless,” while James Yood, professor of contemporary art theory and criticism at North- western University, described his work this way: “This is an art of such suggestiveness and fi- nesse, of ceaseless transition and surprise that it constitutes one of the most intriguing exercises in the poetics of optics anywhere in contemporary art.” Ries earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in ceramics and Artist Christopher Ries will display extraordinary pieces during opening of Friedman Art Gallery. glass from Ohio State University and founded OSU's glass depart- ment. As an undergraduate stu- dent, he became the depart- ment’s first instructor. He also received a Master of Fine Arts in glass from the University of Wis- consin, Madison. During his ca- reer, he has received numerous awards, including the Aid to In- dividual Artists Fellowship from the Ohio Arts Council, the Ohioana Citation for Distin- guished Service to Ohio in the Field of Art, the Distinguished Artist Award from the University of the Arts, Philadelphia, Pa., and the National Liberty Mu- seum in Philadelphia named him the Artist as Hero in 2005. JFor more information about the grand opening of the Pauly Friedman Art Gallery at Miser- icordia University, call Dona Po- 1s Aug. An exhibition of large and extraordinary pieces by artist Chris- topher Ries will be on display at the Friedman Art Gallery. satko, gallery curator, at 674- 6250. Beginning August 22, gal- lery hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; closed Friday; and Saturday and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Misericordia University’s Pau- ly Friedman Art Gallery occu- pies more than 2,700 square feet of space on the second floor of Insalaco Hall. The multipurpose gallery will be used for perform- ing arts as well as visual arts, and will have a portable stage that can be used for small musi- cal performances and poetry readings. The gallery also fea- tures a surround sound system, motorized blackout shades, three types of track lighting and a bamboo floor. A custom-de- signed storage area will double as a small theater for short, cre- ative films produced and direct- ed by Misericordia students. The gallery staff is working closely with Misericordia faculty to provide an academic compo- nent to exhibits bringing in in- stallations that coincide with course material students are studying. DES students learn about food guide pyramid Students at Dallas Elementary School have learned all about the food guide pyramid in lessons taught by their health teacher, Mrs. Angela Lizonitz. In celebration of National Nu- trition. Month, the school dis- trict’s dining management pro- vider, Metz & Associates, Ltd., expanded on those important lessons with an interactive pro- gram that introduced students to various food items from each group of the food guide pyramid. “We developed a special pro- gram for elementary students that featured table displays of each of the five food groups, com- plete with samples from each group, as well as a tasting of unique fruits and vegetables,” said Michelle Marker, nutrition educator, Metz & Associates, Ltd. “The students really en- joyed the opportunity to further expand on the lessons learned in Mrs. Lizonitz’ classroom.” Students in grades one though five participated in the two-day program, which focused on grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy and meat. They learned that the various groups each provided dif- ferent nutrients that their bodies needed for good health. Some of the unique items available for sampling, courtesy of Kegels Produce, included jica- ma, white asparagus, star fruit and avocado. Jicama was a big hit with many of the students, so much so that it was served in the school cafeteria the following day. Marker and the Metz team at the school created colorful and inviting table displays represent- ing each food group. As a special doon. incentive to visit the tables, stu- dents received a special gift rep- resentative of each group when they visited the various tables to learn the health benefits of the group. Some of the give-aways included Commissioner Nutri- tion tattoos, Cow pencils, fruit and veggie bookmarks, General Mills granola bars and honey wheat pretzels and more. Students at Dallas Elementary School enjoy learning about and sampling a variety of fruits and vegetables during a program focusing on the food guide pyramid. From left, first row, are Anne Yanik and Griffin Stone. Second row, Timothy Elston, Edward Geist, Mira Patel and Cassidy Mul- “The students learned through these visual displays that it’simportant to eat a varie- ty of foods and that a balanced diet includesitems from each of the five groups,” Marker said. “I think many were surprised that they could get their daily rec- ommended doses of items such as whole grains just by making better selections of their break- fast cereals and daily snacks.” The students also learned fun facts about the various food items, such as how is as- paragus is kept white by de- priving it of sunlight and har- vesting it quickly. In addition to educating on the important nutritional benefits of each food group, the benefits of ex- ercise were also discussed. PEOPLE BRIEFS Russell named to dean's list Michael Russell, of Tunk- hannock, has been name to the Dean’s List at Kettering Uni- versity for the spring 20089 semester. Russell is pursuing a degree in chemical engineer- ing. Costello receives bachelor’s degree Summer Costello, of Tunk- hannock, has received a Bache- lor of Arts degree in Inter- disciplinary Studies from West- ern Governors University in Sal Lake City, Utah. Three locals named to Honors List Three Back Mountain resi- dents have been named to the Honors List for the spring 2009 semester at Franklin & Mar- shall College. They are: David Janerich, son of Albert and Celeste Janer- ich, of Shavertown; Sara Brown, daughter of Fredrick and Lisa Brown, of Shavertown,; and Mona Lotfipour, daughter of Asghar and Nargas Lot- fipour, of Trucksville. All three students are graduates of Wyoming Seminary. Nataupsky serves internship Jillian Nataupsky, of Shaver- town, is spending the summer interning for HERvoices, Inc. in Newton Center, MA, working in the non-profit field. Nataupsky interns through Connecticut College’s Career Enhancing Life Skills (CELS) program, which guides stu- dents during their four-year academic experience from initial academic advising and personal development to secu- ring a funded internship after their junior year and senior- year job search assistance. The intent of the funded internship is to have a trans- forming impact upon the stu- dents’ intellectual, professional and personal development through exposure to work, research or community in- volvement that he or she may not otherwise encounter through coursework. DALLAS KNIGHTS DONATE TO ST. JOSEPHS CENTER The Dallas Council 8224 of the Knights of Columbus support- ed WNEP-TV meteorologist Joe Snedeker in his bike ride throughout the viewing area in GO JOE XII to raise money bene- fiting St. Joseph's Center in Scranton. Shown here during the presentation of a check resenting a check for $1,000 are, from left, Jack Cacozza, Grand Knight; Snedeker and Joe Canfield. LIBRARY BOARD HONORS DR. CRAIG AICHER Back Mountain Memorial Library Board President Shirley Moyer and board members recently presented Dr. Craig Aicher, honorary board member, with a clock and certificate to com- memorate his dedicated years of service to the library board. From left, are Ron Moran, past president; Martha Butler, library director, Shirley Moyer, president; Dr. Aicher; Mrs. Aicher; and Joe Stager, board member.
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