Bailey Fruit, Author at BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications

Photography student creates lasting portraits of endangered languages

Bailey Fruit — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 22:19:30 +0000

Photography major and Alabamian Jordan Layton was originally recruited to come to BYU to play soccer. Growing up, Layton never felt he was talented in art or music. However, four years ago when introduced to a friend’s camera Layton discovered photography and was hooked. After being admitted to the program, Layton went on a class trip to Los Angeles where the students met with commercial photographers and visited their studios. This experience solidified Layton’s decision to pursue commercial photography as a career. Layton sets himself apart with the sensitivity and attention to detail he brings to every project. Recently Layton and his professor Paul Adams, the Head of BYU Photography, embarked on a project they later named “Vanishing Voices.” While surfing the web, Layton came across a website illustrating endangered languages around the world including critically endangered languages with only one to three speakers left. “I was amazed at how many endangered languages there were even within our own country,” Layton said. “Looking into these tribes and people it really amazed me how hard they are fighting to hold onto their cultures and their languages that will ultimately die off soon.” Layton decided to document these individuals with a process called wet plate collodion tintype. This is an intensive process that was popularized in the 1850s and 60s around the time of the Civil War. One picture takes approximately an hour and a half to set up and another hour and a half to break down. “The wet plate collodion process is one of the most archival processes ever invented, so the plate could be around much longer than these languages and cultures will be,” Layton said. To create the 20-inch by 24-inch tintypes, Layton had to use a camera of that size. Layton and Adams had so much equipment they had to rent a trailer to take to California where Layton had located a few people for their visit through a number of cold calls. “Vanishing Voices” was displayed at the Harris Fine Arts Center at BYU, but Layton will continuing working on the project after graduation. Following his graduation this month, Layton and his wife Miriam are moving to New York City where Miriam will begin a new job and Layton will complete an internship with professional fashion photographer John Moe.

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Design student teaches creativity through art

Bailey Fruit — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 21:24:58 +0000

Two-dimensional studio art major Emily Holt loves painting, cooking, four-wheeling and plans to become a teacher after graduation. Holt will speak in the April convocation for the Department of Art, where she will discuss the importance of creativity in day-to-day life. Holt grew up on a farm in Enterprise, Utah with her five younger brothers. Holt and her family grew hay, potatoes, corn and raised dairy cows. From a very young age, Holt loved art. “I used to get in trouble when I was only three years old, because I would draw on every surface,” Holt said. “The chairs, tables and walls—I used everything for art.” Holt now prides herself on pushing her limits in her art. Holt feels that actively creating gives her the ability to become someone new. “I enjoy the discomfort of doing things outside the norm, just pushing boundaries through art and teaching and making people think in new ways to see things they never expected before,” Holt said. In her time at BYU Holt attended the BYU Jerusalem study abroad, worked as a TA, co-curated an exhibition at Alpine Village, worked as an artist’s assistant for Irish artist Joanna Kidney and received both a grant and scholarship for art projects. While at BYU Holt has been a part of the licensure program, giving her the opportunity to student teach for nine weeks at Providence Junior High as well as nine weeks at Harvest Elementary School. Holt will speak in convocation about the intersection of the creative process of finding oneself. “We aren’t going to figure out who we are during our first day at BYU, we become that through a process and once we graduate we continue that process,” Holt said. “Everything we do in life is a becoming process.” For Holt, art has been integral in that becoming process. Click here to the view the graduation live stream.

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Studio Art student explores art patterns through traditional cultures

Bailey Fruit — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 20:58:36 +0000

Studio Art student Jane Christensen loves thinking creatively. Christensen will speak at the April BYU Art Convocation this month. Following graduation, Christensen will intern in Los Angeles with artist Monique Prieto. Born and raised in NYC, Christensen moved to Utah when she was 16. Christensen was exposed to art at a young age as her father is an artist and her mother enjoyed theater and her school was across the street from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. “I would go to the MET once a week with my school, so I’ve always been very attracted to art and I’ve found a lot of comfort in the arts,” Christensen said. At BYU, Christensen was accepted into the Bachelor of Fine Arts track where she was given studio space to devote to her art. In 2016, Christensen received an Orca grant to travel to Spain and Morocco where she worked on her artwork and presented a show upon returning home. While in Morocco, Christensen visited with local craftspeople and learned traditional forms of art. Her goal was to learn more about Islamic patterns in art and architecture and the relationships with meditation and ritual. In Spain, Christensen had a studio space where she produced work for her ORCA project. Recently, Christensen received a grant to work on a series of videos that she has created while traveling around Utah, southern California and the desert. Christensen enjoys working in a variety of mediums including painting, video and photography. Click here to the view the graduation live stream.

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Smith knows the power of dreaming big in art

Bailey Fruit — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 20:37:42 +0000

Ashley Smith graduates this April with her BFA in illustration and will speak in the Department of Design convocation. During her time at BYU, Smith set herself apart by taking initiative to be involved. Recently she completed an internship in Salt Lake City with sculptor, Ryan Peterson. Peterson specializes in sculpting life-size Marvel characters, and has worked on numerous other projects in the entertainment industry. As part of this internship, Smith received a generous donation through the Mary Lois Wheatley Scholarship. This money funded her internship and allowed her to pursue sculpture as she otherwise would not have been able to do. After her internship, Smith was able to join professor Bethanne Andersen’s class for a character maquette assignment. She was able to share basic sculpting techniques that she learned during her internship. “After completing my internship, I was able to return to BYU and help other students, which I will always remember as a highlight of my university experience,” Smith said. Aside from her internship, while at BYU, Smith also won several local art contests including one held at The Wall, and another held by BYU Women’s Services. Smith is a native of Germany and lived in japan so she is currently applying for jobs in Japan and Europe. Her current dream job is to design book covers or work in children’s publishing. “For my BFA show I focused on children’s book illustrations,” Smith said. “They were all based on my life experiences, so the project was especially personal to me.” Smith’s convocation message centers on the concept of endings as a type of beginning and the importance of lifelong learning. “When you graduate college, you may feel like it’s the end of something and you could feel the urge to throw away any big dreams you had for yourself that you didn’t accomplish,” Smith said. “We can still accomplish those things. You don’t have to abandon your dreams just because they don’t fit right now.” Smith wishes to thank the many community members who frequently came out to support BYU students. She will miss spending time with her classmates and professors. Click here to the view the graduation live stream.

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Design Chair Eric Gillett Speaks at April Devotional

Bailey Fruit — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 20:22:37 +0000

Eric Gillett, chair of the BYU Department of Design, explained how basic principles of design combined with gospel thinking help solve some of life’s “wicked” problems at this week’s BYU Devotional. “Contrary to what you might expect, a ‘wicked’ problem does not refer to something evil or sinister,” Gillett said, “but instead describes something so ‘tricky’ and complicated that it seems to defy solution. With wicked problems the situation is dynamic and often involves multiple variables.” Read More…

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LDS Philanthropies donor liaison personnel change for the CFAC

Bailey Fruit — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:07:47 +0000

Jennifer Amott, LDS Philanthropies donor liaison for the College of Fine Arts and Communications, has been reassigned to manage the President’s Leadership Council and to fundraise for the Harold B. Lee Library. “Jenn has worked diligently for our college and has been a real blessing,” dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communications Ed Adams said. “Her natural ability to cultivate and build relationships is a gift. She has raised significant dollars for the college, but more importantly she has built friendships.” In a message to the college faculty Amott said, “I feel privileged to have partnered with you in promoting, the good, the true and the beautiful in a world that is in need of light. It is a thrill to see the progress that has been made and the world of possibilities ahead.” Damien Bard will take Amott’s position as LDSP donor liaison. Bard joined LDS Philanthropies in February 2014 and has worked in assignments at BYU Athletics and BYU Broadcasting. Bard has helped organize annual Broadcast Leadership Council meetings and facilitate donor cultivation opportunities. This transition officially occurs this month.

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Three students and BYU professor honored by Portrait Society of America

Bailey Fruit — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 02:48:54 +0000

BYU professor Robert Barrett has been selected by the Portrait Society of America to receive Signature Status with the Portrait Society of America. Signature Status is meant to recognize artists who are dedicated to the educational mission and high aesthetic standards of the Portrait Society of America. Barrett has been a professor at BYU for more than 31 years and served as an Associate Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communications. Along with Barrett’s recognition, the Portrait Society of America has awarded three BYU students scholarships to attend the group’s annual conference held in Atlanta, Georgia. Ashley Glazier, Hillary Laurent and Peter Beck have been selected as three of only twenty winners selected nationally. The students submitted their work to a jury of professionals in order to receive the scholarship. All three students have taken or are currently taking Barrett’s Head Painting class. The purpose of the Portrait Society of America is to foster and enhance an understanding of the practice, techniques and applications of traditional art portraiture and figurative works. The society was founded in 1998.

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BYU Contemporary Dance Theatre to perform with ‘Limón Dance Company’

Bailey Fruit — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 17:03:30 +0000

As part of the 2016-2017 BRAVO! season, BYU Arts will be hosting the Limón Dance Company. The group will perform Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Pardoe Theatre of the Harris Fine Arts Center. The program will feature a special guest performance by BYU Contemporary Dance Theatre. Producer and Presenter of Performing Arts at BYU, Jeffrey Martin, said BYU is thrilled to bring fine dancers and “time-honored choreography” to campus for students and the community to experience in a live performance. Limón Dance Company is known as one of the legendary companies associated with modern dance in the United States. Founded in 1946 by José Limón and Doris Humphrey, the Limón Dance Company has lead American modern dance since its inception and is considered one of the world’s greatest ensembles. The company’s performances include classic works as well as new commissions from contemporary choreographers. “We seek to expose our students to the foundational movements of all dance styles during their time studying dance at BYU,” Martin said. “When we have the opportunity to showcase world-class dancers practicing the principles and techniques our students learn in the classroom and dance studio, we are able to give our students a tremendous advantage in their own training and development.” Under the direction of assistant professor Nathan Balser, CDT will collaborate with Limón Dance Company on this program. BYU’s dancers will perform an excerpt of Jose Limon’s piece, “A Choreographic Offering,” during the performance. “The Limón dancers are some of the finest in the country, bringing with them myriad expertise and excellence in training and performance,” Balser said. “For our students to rub shoulders with these dancers is not only uncommon, but of great worth and value to their own emergence as dance artists.” Balser said the CDT dancers have spent more than 50 hours learning and perfecting the Limón piece in preparation for the performance. One of these dancers is Adam Schraedel. He said the group is excited to dance with one of the most famous modern companies in the world. “We practiced for four weeks with an alumnus member of the [Limón] company to learn and perfect our piece, ‘A Choreographic Offering,’” Schraedel said. “It’s a challenging style that many of us have little experience with, but it’s a very beautiful piece and I think we have learned a lot.” Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone at 801-422-2981 or online at byuarts.com. Tickets and Show Details Performance Dates and Times: Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m. Location: Pardoe Theatre, Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU Price: $35, BYU Alumni/Senior Citizen $32, BYU ID/Student ID $25 Tickets: Available in person at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone at 801-422- 2981 or online at byuarts.com

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BYU Theatre to perform unique take on ‘Mary Poppins’ Jan. 26-Feb. 4

Bailey Fruit — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 17:41:35 +0000

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OFF THE MAP: EVERY BRILLIANT THING

Bailey Fruit — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 19:24:49 +0000

“Heart-wrenching, hilarious…possibly one of the funniest plays you’ll ever see.” The Guardian You’re six years old. Mum’s in hospital. Dad says she’s “done something stupid.” She finds it hard to be happy. So you start to make a list of everything that’s brilliant about the world. Everything that’s worth living for. You leave it on her pillow. You know she’s read it because she’s corrected your spelling. Soon, the list will take on a life of its own. This sold-out hit of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is a new play about depression and the lengths we will go to for those we love. Based on true and untrue stories. Every Brilliant Thing is supported by Anne McMeehan and Jim Roberts and was developed with the support of nabokov and the Jersey Arts Trust. OFF THE MAP is generously supported by the BYU Mary Lou Fulton Endowment in Theatre and Media Arts. Approximately 60 minutes

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