2016 Faculty Biennial

It’s not the kind of thing that happens every year, so when the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts offers the public a comprehensive glimpse into the ordinarily private, multidisciplinary studios of Appalachian State University’s Art Department, it’s always a cause for celebration. This year, the Faculty Art Biennial expands the party beyond its usual venues in Boone, with a satellite exhibition at the Hiddenite Arts and Heritage Center in Hiddenite, NC.

A collaboration between the Smith Gallery and the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, the Appalachian State University Faculty Biennial offers community engagement with creative and scholarly research while also initiating critical dialogue about the nature of contemporary art. The exhibition provides students with the chance to interact in new ways with familiar faculty. For other faculty and staff at Appalachian State University—as well as the everyday citizens of Boone and beyond—the Biennial is a rare chance to engage with the creative ideas and art practices currently being explored and taught within the university.

Jody Servon, an artist who specializes in socially engaged projects, finds the Biennial exciting for several reasons. “Most of my work gets experienced outside of Boone and it’s rewarding to share what I do locally,” she says.

Servon is installing a project she recently showed at SECCA, in Winston-Salem, and at Orland’s Art in Odd Places. Her installation is an excellent example of how the Biennial can bring people together. “It’s a participatory work, in which people help build a top-100 playlist—in this case for the Town of Boone. Anyone who visits TCVA can contribute a song and a memory related to the song.

“Music is ubiquitous and has the power to unite people,” she adds. “The resulting playlist and the memories associated with the songs create a portrait of our community. In previous editions, people have shared private stories of hope, sadness, adventures, triumphs, romantic moments and more.”
Together, the three exhibitions will include works by a total of 33 faculty members. In addition to the traditional Exhibition Celebrations at each gallery, the Smith Gallery and TCVA will host a Faculty Presentation Evening on February 25 at 7 PM in the TCVA lecture hall, in which 10 faculty artists will have 6 minutes to showcase his or her art, design or research, accompanied by a timed slideshow; this event is free and open to the public.

Featured artists

Turchin Center for the Visual Arts

Smith Gallery

January 18 – February 28, 2016
Opening Reception: February 5, 5-6:30pm
Located in the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts
art.appstate.edu/cjs

Hiddenite Arts & Heritage Center

Opening Reception: February 9, 5:30-6:30pm
316 Hiddenite Church Road
Hiddenite, NC 28636
http://hiddenitearts.org