A black mass appears to swallow up one corner of the gallery, surrounded by a galaxy of orbs the color of coal. Each of these orbs is covered in a unique texture. Some of them resemble cells in the midst of splitting apart. A few look like sunflower heads, pieces of coral or jellyfish. Others take on the appearance of an alien lifeform, covered in lumps and bumps or dimples and craters.

The orbs snake their way along the walls of the gallery and stretch out across its floor, inviting visitors to step through the installation and examine it from every angle. An array of lights bathes the ceramic art pieces in red, orange, yellow and green hues.

The mixed-media installation, titled In Entropy, is the work of Anna Westfall, associate professor of visual and communication arts (VaCA) at 91短视频. She created the pieces mostly from clay and bicycle tires to “provide the viewer with a multisensory experience through an altered space,” an artist statement reads.

Westfall hosted an opening reception for her exhibition at the gallery at 4 p.m. on Friday. 91短视频 50 people braved that morning鈥檚 snowfall to attend the reception, which included an introduction from her about the installation and the process in creating it.

She said she was inspired by looking at images of cells. As the COVID-19 pandemic arrived and cast the world into uncertainty, she wanted to explore the feelings of disorder and distress that many people felt.

Her statement reads: “The instinct to find order and stability in chaos, as an attempt to gain a sense of peace and control, often brings conflicting outcomes of serenity and anxiety. This installation explores how these experiences influence perceptions of life and challenges found in the mutable nature of existence.”  

In Entropy will be available to view at the Margaret Martin Gehman gallery until Friday, Feb. 16. Westfall will present a university colloquium about her installation and the process in creating it on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 4 p.m. in Suter Science Center 106.

Westfall received her bachelor鈥檚 of fine arts from James Madison University and her master鈥檚 of fine arts from the University of New Mexico, both of which were in ceramic and sculpture.

“Elsewhere,” this year’s Homecoming art exhibit at 91短视频 (91短视频) started with a painting and a reflection.聽

“I was reminiscing about the past and my childhood. I wanted to express my feelings of fondness yet frustration when it comes to the idea of memories of the past,” said Stephanie Toth ’16. Both Toth and her fiance, Lila Marks ’18, are graduates of 91短视频’s Visual and Communication Arts department, now pursuing master’s degrees in fine arts at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Toth is a painter and animator; Marks is a documentary photographer. “Elsewhere” is a collaborative exhibit, in which each artist reflects on childhood and youth.

Read coverage of Marks’s 2017 senior show, on Hawai’i’s homelessness crisis alongside its beautiful landscapes.

As Toth worked on four-foot by five-foot canvases in vibrant, abstract expressionism, Marks saw similar themes in her straightforward, black and white photographs from a variety of projects over the last few years. Some of her photos in the exhibit were taken for Reach Our Youth Outreach Ministry. As children visited the organization, opening Christmas presents or playing games, Marks captured serene moments between siblings or just a child and their own imagination 鈥� “it’s human connection rather than some big event,” Marks explained. “A lot of my childhood was marred by painful experiences 鈥� I love these quiet, beautiful moments.”

She feels that her photos and Toth’s paintings are “in conversation with each other 鈥� aesthetically really jarringly different, but we’re exploring the same topic.”

“Elsewhere” will be available for viewing online from October 15 to November 6. 

Professor Anna Westfall, who runs the Margaret Martin Gehman art gallery on campus, said the couple’s work is emotionally charged.

“The brushstrokes, textures, and colors in Stephanie鈥檚 paintings create intense energy juxtaposing Lila鈥檚 unmanipulated black and white photographs of children creating narratives that feel particularly relevant today,” Westfall said. “Their exploration of childhood and memory, at a time when our world is under great stress, feels appropriately timed.”

Both artists have been wrestling with questions of how much childhood has changed in recent years, and how much it remains the same. While children today have much more access to information, news, and technology than Marks did growing up in the 1990s, they still have a “pure childhood innocence regardless of what they’re exposed to,” she said. 

As she painted, Toth also reflected on the human tendency to yearn for simpler or better times, even as children often can’t wait to grow up and become independent.

Both Toth and Marks want viewers to glean their own meaning from the exhibit, rather than trying to peddle a certain narrative. They naturally participate in one another’s artistic process as they watch each other work 鈥� one half of their garage is a painting studio, the other half set up with photography lighting and backdrops.

As Marks put it, “having an artist in the house whose perspective you respect is invaluable.”

“While actors in dark clothes manipulate the props and set pieces under black light, the audience sees the effects created right before their eyes,” said Poole, assistant professor of theater. “This production focuses on the joy of storytelling. It relies on our preexisting knowledge of Disney’s magical formulas, taking the musical in unexpected directions while remaining faithful to the script.”

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Performances are scheduled in the Main Stage Theater March 22, 28, 29 and 30 at 7 p.m.; March 23 and 24 at 3 p.m.; and March 26 at 10 a.m. The performance is approximately 2.5 hours, with intermission.

Innovative staging

Disney’s film “Beauty and the Beast” is a favorite of Poole’s and his three children, he said. Attempting a production of the Broadway musical based on the 1991 film wasn鈥檛 in his plans until Braydon Hoover, associate director of development who has been known to 鈥渢rod the boards鈥� one or two times, made the suggestion.

However, mounting an original Broadway Disney musical at a small liberal arts college takes some innovative solutions.

“We are using found objects and recycled materials to create the props, costumes and set pieces,” Poole said. Cast and crew would also need to let go “of our expectations of what a Disney show should look like.” 聽

Interdisciplinary recruitments

Poole recruited faculty and students from other departments. Anna Westfall, assistant professor of art, designed the production’s shadow puppets. Westfall has worked on costumes and props for other theater productions, she said. “However, I have never made shadow puppets. My past designs were sculptural, so this process was new to me.”

Her shadow puppet creations include three humans, a beast, a tree, an interior of a castle, and several wolves. “I attempted to keep my designs simple so that people would recognize the story,鈥� Westfall said.

Esther Tian, associate professor and director of 91短视频’s engineering program, and the first-year engineering class worked with theater tech director Shannon Dove on set design and construction.

“This production requires a flexible, fast-moving set,” Poole said. “Our engineering students have delivered something fitting and unique.”

Poole also sought out sophomore Freddie Monahan, member of the student art club, to build what he praised as “visually interesting and user-friendly鈥� props.

Cast includes community members

In addition to 91短视频’s actors, Poole cast students from Eastern Mennonite High School, Waterman Elementary and the Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir. “It truly takes a village, or a community, to create a theater production,” he said.

Junior Gwen Mallow, a secondary English education major, is Poole’s assistant director. One of her duties is working with stage manager Amber Hooper “trying to make sure that everyone is safe and happy,” Mallow said. “It is really fun having students from both EMHS and other elementary schools in the area. The kids are kind, enthusiastic and natural actors.”

Mallow also leads sectional rehearsals when needed and takes down Poole’s notes to keep rehearsals running smoothly without stopping. “But mostly I’m providing a second opinion when Justin is unsure about an aesthetic choice,” she said.

First year peace and development major Elizabeth Eby was cast as the lead character, Belle. Eby said that as a child, she looked up to the character of Belle for her kindness and strength. “It’s also great how strong and independent she is.”

Eby shares Belle’s love for books, but believes to develop the character fully, their differences need to be included. “Physicality has been really helpful in doing that as I try to walk like a Disney princess,” Eby said. “I also just say my lines in different voices until I think something works for the character, rather than how I normally speak.”

With all these contributions and collaborations from the 91短视频 community and beyond, Poole is looking forward to opening night. Bringing together veteran actors and children in their first productions with engineering students and artists working in new media, the collaborative effort 聽is symbolic of his vision of theater鈥檚 creative potential.

“I like the idea of 91短视频 theater being a place where people of all ages can gather and enjoy a great production as a community,” he said. “This show fits that bill. I hope to do more productions that have this family appeal. It also resonates with the students, who grew up on the original film.”

There is already a great response to the show, he added聽鈥� and tickets are going fast!

Reserved tickets are $15 for adults ($17 at the door), $12 for faculty/staff, seniors and non-91短视频 students ($14 at the door), and $6 for 91短视频 and Bridgewater College students. Tickets are available at 91短视频鈥檚 Box Office, located in the University Commons. Box office hours are Monday-Friday, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. or call 540-432-4582.

CHARACTERS

BELLE: Elizabeth Eby, first-year, Goshen, Indiana

BEAST: Andrew Stoltzfus, first-year, Harrisonburg, Virginia

GASTON: Isaac Longacre, first-year, Quakertown, Pennsylvania

LEFOU: Richard Vo, junior, Front Royal, Virginia

COGSWORTH/CHORUS: Avery Trinh, first-year, Columbia, Maryland

LUMIERE/CHORUS: Joseph Seitz, first-year, Harrisonburg, Virginia

MRS. POTTS/CHORUS: Sarah Ressler, sophomore, Kidron, Ohio

CHIP/CHORUS: Anna Ressler, junior, Kidron, Ohio

BABETTE: Mary Fairfield, community student, Staunton, Virginia

MADAME DE LA GRAND BOUCHE/CHORUS: Leah Wenger, junior, Harrisonburg, Virginia

MAURICE/CHORUS: Lucas Wenger, sophomore, Harrisonburg, Virginia

MONSIEUR D鈥橝RQUE/CHORUS: Tyler Goss, graduate student, Mechanicsville, Virginia

CHORUS: Ariel Barbosa, junior, Baltimore, Maryland; Emily Bennett, first-year, Landsdale, Pennsylvania; Dan Hackman, junior, Lansdale, Pennsylvania; Jackie Hieber, graduate student, Bridgewater, Virginia; Ross Kirkdorffer, first-year, Harrisonburg, Virginia; Stephanie Kniss, first-year, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania; Alexa Lahr, first-year, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Anali Martin, junior, Cary, North Carolina; Johnny G Prioleau III, junior, Chesterfield, Virginia; MacRae Richardson, community student, Dayton, Virginia; Partha Roy, first-year, Takoma Park, Maryland; Jay Sheppard, first-year, Beaverdam, Virginia

CHILDREN鈥橲 CHORUS: Zevvi Misterka, Virginia Natale, Vienna Poole, George Richardson, Jack Richardson, Katherine Richardson, Kezia Wettig, Lewis Yoder.

CREW

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Gwen Mallow, junior, Quicksburg, Virginia

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER: Jareya Harder, first-year, Mountain Lake, Minnesota

STAGE MANAGER: Amber Hooper, junior, Mechanicsville, Virginia

PROPS MANAGER: Freddie Monahan, sophomore, Richmond, Virginia

SOUND BOARD OPERATOR, PROPS MANAGER & HAIR/MAKE-UP ASST: Ezrionna Prioleau, graduate student, Chesterfield, Virginia

COSTUME LOFT MANAGER & HAIR/MAKE UP DESIGNER: Hailey Holcomb, graduate student, Woodbridge, Va.

DIRECTOR and PRODUCER: Justin Poole

MUSICAL DIRECTOR: James Richardson

PIANIST: Jim Clemens

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR & SET DESIGNER: Shannon Dove

FIRST-YEAR ENGINEERING STUDENT DESIGNERS: Wade Banks, Jonas Beachy, Catherine Hammond, Jacob Horsley, Malachi Malone, Maarten McDonald, Andrew Schunn, Joshua Sheppard, Laura Troyer, Tessa Waidelich, Jason Wong

COSTUME DESIGNER: Rachel E. Herrick

DANCE CHOREOGRAPHER: Jerusha 鈥淓llie鈥� de Waal

LIGHTING DESIGNER: Robert Weaver

SHADOW PUPPET DESIGNER: Anna Westfall

Westfall鈥檚 statement for the installation, titled 鈥淪earching the Unseen,鈥� includes the following description: 鈥渙rganic steel sculptures tangling like roots or unseen bursts of energy, and plastic and silicone curling like membranous surfaces of microscopic images speak to the phenomena of repeating systems found in the macro to the micro. The light pulsing with the sounds from cosmic background radiation, heartbeats in utero, and waves of resonating sound from percussion instruments, hopefully will stir a response on a visceral level.鈥�

Westfall earned an MFA from the University of New Mexico and a BFA from James Madison University. She is a multi-disciplinary artist whose work often explores the complex relationship between memories, genetics, cycles in nature and the larger system of culture that inform identity.

Westfall has exhibited her work in Virginia, New Mexico, Georgia, Washington D.C., and Massachusetts.

From the artist鈥檚 statement

“Searching the Unseen” is an installation that explores the search for understanding which often leads to complexity and ambiguity rather that an expected clarity. Westfall聽borrows from recognizable images in both the microcosm and macrocosm, looking at the concept of dark matter and energy to microscopic views of cells such as neurons within our own bodies to speak to the search and ever expanding perspective science has provided. Often intriguing yet disquieting, knowledge gained continues to bring focus to our lack of understanding.

Specifically, the theories regarding dark matter and energy prompt unexpected questions.聽 If we have focused most of human history on the visible 5% of known space, missing the other 95% of darkness beyond our notice, what truths have we been blinded to by the blazing matter filling our visual frame? Additionally, as scientists map neural connections in simple organisms as a way to understand behaviors in a more complex brain, I began to wonder how these scientific advancements will challenge our definition of self, identity, and what it means to be human.

The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Last Glacier is a collaboration started by Anderson, with photographer Ian van Coller and painter Bruce Crownover, in 2010 to record the Glacier National Park in Montana. At the park鈥檚 opening in 1910, it held 150 glaciers; now, there are fewer than 25, which are expected to be gone by 2020.

When he heard about this decline, Anderson says, 鈥渕y first thought was, I wonder which artists are documenting these glaciers.鈥� The answer was none. So in 2010, Anderson began a 500-mile journey hiking and climbing through the park to preserve the landscape through his art.

鈥淢y core belief is that these types of places, wilderness, they need to be creatively seen and they need to be documented,鈥� said Anderson at the Feb. 3 gallery opening. 91短视频 70 people clustered around his woodcut reductions, which are made by a repetitive process of carving, inking and printing. The corresponding wooden block hangs by each piece. Each print took anywhere from four to thirteen 鈥渞uns鈥� to produce the final multi-layered image.

Anderson鈥檚 carving evokes the textures of rock, vegetation, ice and snow. His color palettes vary from subtle, otherworldly and nearly monochromatic to 10-color ranges reminiscent of early color photography.

His purpose overlaps with photojournalism as well. 鈥淲e look at [photos] and we say, this is real, this is true, because they are. My hope is that you can go to this actual location and look down on this particular glacier,鈥� he says, pointing to a print. Each of the works have corresponding GPS coordinates. 鈥淚鈥檓 really trying to create that experience where, the longer you look, you see more and more.鈥�

Professor , who curates the gallery, is responsible for Anderson鈥檚 visit. Both she and Anderson earned MFA degrees at the University of New Mexico, though several years apart. A mutual acquaintance pointed Westfall to his work, which she thought would be of interest to the 91短视频 community.

Gallery assistant Hannah Eve, a senior at 91短视频, helped hang the show. 鈥淭he shows that come in, they鈥檙e all different, but this one has a special feel about it,” she said.

Anderson and his collaborators are currently wrapping up projects in the Rocky Mountain National Park and at Mt. Kilimanjaro. The National Endowment for the Arts and South Carolina Arts Commission have helped fund their work, but Anderson says the collaborations are ultimately dependent on print and art book sales. Funding pending, Anderson鈥檚 next artistic sojourn will take him to Antarctica.

All performances, with the exception of Saturday, Nov. 12, begin at 7:30 p.m. The Nov. 12 performance, which begins at 9 p.m., is part of the .

Written by absurdist playwright Caryl Churchill, the play centers around a young hat maker who faces her own complicity in a fictional world full of war and violent imprisonment. The play is appropriate for those middle-school-aged and older.

Winters Vogel first saw Far Away 12 years ago, and has wanted to direct the piece ever since. 鈥� She has been pitching the play to the for years, and just this season gained approval for the production. However, the play is complex at best, and absurdly opaque at worst 鈥� she wants to ensure her audience would understand it without being 鈥渟poon fed.鈥�

Senior Hailey Holcomb read Far Away during the department’s season planning time, and 鈥渉ated the play while I was reading it the first time 鈥� but the longer I sat on it and thought about it, the more sense it made,鈥� says Holcomb. 鈥淚 think that the way it is written makes people uncomfortable, and then they have to think why, especially when it’s drawing parallels to our own society.鈥�

鈥淲e need to talk about the little things that lead to the big things,鈥� says Winters Vogel, referencing the Syrian War, Black Lives Matter movement, and election-centered extremism as examples. How do people talk about violence? Who do we 鈥渙ther?鈥� What systems do we perpetuate that create structural inequality? These are some of the questions she hopes the play will inspire. A response session embedded in the end of the play will allow such discussion to happen within the theater atmosphere.

To promote understanding, Winters Vogel and her crew intend to create a 鈥渃ontainer,鈥� a world for the playgoers to step into and become part of,through set design and audience participation. The visual focal point for the set design is 鈥淭he Horde,鈥� a 1927 painting by Max Ernst that evokes World War I’s devastation of Europe. For the set, , professor in the , has sculpted a giant burlap figure based on the painting 鈥� a symbol of the desperation and disconnectedness that is created by and fuels violence.

Graduate student Bethany Chupp plays Joan, the hat maker, 鈥渁s she navigates the ambiguity of young adulthood in the midst of a world war,鈥� says Chupp. 鈥淚 think this show will provide an incredible opportunity for the 91短视频 community to discuss what it means to create an 鈥檜s鈥� and 鈥檛hem,鈥� and who we’ve named as such in the midst of current world politics.鈥�

One of the most prescient elements of the play, as Winters Vogel explains, is that 鈥渘obody is outright evil. They are just caught up in the normalcy of it.鈥�

Says Holcomb, 鈥渋t has a lot of commentary that could be applied to the migrant crisis, to racism, to the prison system, to the death penalty.鈥�

In addition to Chupp, a graduate student from Canby, Oregon, the cast also includes Myriam Aziz, a graduate student from Beirut, Lebanon; Emma Roth, a junior from Goshen, Indiana; Elisha Keener, a 2015 graduate from Mount Joy, Pennsylvania; Anna Ressler, a first-year from Kidron, Ohio; Abigail Greaser, a first-year from Goshen, Indiana; Belen Yoder, a junior from Brussels, Belgium; Clara Bush, a junior from Souderton, Pennsylvania; and Dallas Hetrick, a sophomore from Grantsville, Maryland.

Tickets are available through the .

Professor and Ashley Sauder Miller will host an open studio in the gallery between the concert and the theater performance. Visitors are welcome to stop by, watch the artists at work and ask questions. Gusler works in mixed media. Miller, a 2003 graduate and director of the Spitzer Art Center in Harrisonburg, is managing 91短视频 Centennnial鈥檚 . This summer, she won Best in Show and $7,500 for her mixed media piece “Faded Memory” at the Boardwalk Art Show in Virginia Beach.

Gala Concert: 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium

The 鈥檚 annual Gala celebrating the winter holiday season showcases the breadth of musical talent on campus.

The Wind Ensemble, under the direction of , will be performing Shenandoah by American composer, Frank Ticheli (b. 1958).

The Chamber Orchestra,聽directed by , will perform Ralph Vaughan Williams’ (1872-1958) English Folk Song Suite.聽

The second half of the program will be a combined performance of Ola Gjeilo’s Sunrise Mass, commissioned in 2007 by the Majorstua and Nova Chamber Choirs.聽The work will feature members of the Women’s and Men’s choir, directed by ; the Emulate Chamber Ensemble, directed by ; the Chamber Singers, directed by ; and the Chamber Orchestra聽.

Suggested donations are $10 per person and will benefit the music scholarship fund.

鈥淔ar Away鈥�: 9 p.m., MainStage Theater

Written by absurdist playwright Caryl Churchill and directed by Professor , Far Away centers around a young hat maker who faces her own complicity in a fictional world full of war and violent imprisonment. The play is appropriate for those middle-school-aged and older.

By depicting 鈥渁 culture where violence has become gradually acceptable,鈥� the play gives the audience a lens to examine their roles and responsibility in the violence of our actual world, says Winters Vogel. She adds: 鈥淲e need to talk about the little things that lead to the big things,鈥� referencing the Syrian War, Black Lives Matter movement, and election-centered extremism as examples.

A response session embedded in the end of the play will allow such discussion to happen within the theater atmosphere.

The visual focal point for the set design is 鈥淭he Horde,鈥� a 1927 painting by Max Ernst that evokes World War I’s devastation of Europe. For the set, , professor in the Visual and Communication Arts Department, has sculpted a giant burlap figure based on the painting 鈥� a symbol of the desperation and disconnectedness that is created by and fuels violence.

Other performances are Nov. 11 and Nov. 17-19.

Abigail Berkey, PhD, visiting assistant professor of biology

Berkey earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in pre-professional zoology from Ohio Wesleyan University and a master鈥檚 in integrative biology from University of Illinois. She completed her PhD in ecology, evolution and conservation biology from University of Illinois in 2015. Her interests lie in wildlife, ornithology and ecology. Berkey has previously served at University of Illinois as an adjunct instructor.

Marcille Frederick, director of Sadie Hartzler Library

Frederick has served as a librarian at several institutions, including Trinity Christian College, The King鈥檚 University College and Institute for Christian Studies. She earned a bachelor鈥檚 in history from Beloit College, a master鈥檚 in American history and a master鈥檚 of library science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She also earned a master of philosophy degree in historiography and philosophy of history at the Institute for Christian Studies in Ontario. As a librarian, she loves bringing people together to create community around ideas and sharing resources to nurture deep reflection and coming alongside as a teaching and mentor.

Samuel Wai Johnson, Jr., visiting instructor of economics

Johnson earned a bachelor鈥檚 in economics from University of Liberia and a master鈥檚 degree in economics from Ohio University. He anticipates completing a PhD this year at George Mason University School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution. He brings experience as a visiting scholar at 91短视频 in the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding program and as a visiting adjunct at University of Liberia. Johnson鈥檚 expertise and interest are in economic dimensions of conflict and peacebuilding, economic development and post-conflict development finance.

Lisa King, instructor of nursing

King earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in nursing at 91短视频 and a master鈥檚 in nursing leadership and management also at 91短视频. She brings nursing experience in the hospital along with specific training and certification in advanced cardiac life support and end of life and pain management. She has served as an adjunct nursing instructor previously in the nursing program at 91短视频.

Audrey K. Myers, assistant professor of the practice of nursing

Myers bring nursing experience in the hospital setting, both as a nurse and as a pediatric nurse practitioner, to previous instructional positions in 91短视频鈥檚 RN-BS nursing completion program. She earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in biology at 91短视频, and two degrees from University of Virginia: a bachelor鈥檚 in nursing and a master鈥檚 degree as a pediatric nurse practitioner.

Melody M. Pannell, assistant professor of social work

Pannell returns to 91短视频, where she was director of multicultural services from 2003-2008. She earned master鈥檚 of divinity and master鈥檚 of education in Christian education at Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology this year. Pannell brings experience as a counselor in the university, in-home, youth and clinical counseling. Her interests include church ministries and expertise in diversity and multicultural relations. She also holds two degrees in social work: a bachelor鈥檚 from 91短视频 and a master鈥檚 from Fordham University.

Daniel Showalter, PhD, assistant professor of mathematics

Showalter brings international teaching and working experiences in a variety of rich cultural settings, including South Korea and Laos. He earned a bachelor鈥檚 in mathematics from Urbana University, and a master鈥檚 degree in mathematics and a PhD in mathematics education from Ohio University, where he has been an adjunct professor and visiting assistant professo. His interest and passion lie in mentoring students in their personal, spiritual and professional paths. He values working with students holistically, whether teaching online or in the classroom.

Timothy Seidel, instructor of community and international development

Seidel brings experience in international peacebuilding and interfaith engagement, after a 10-year career with Mennonite Central Committee. Currently a PhD candidate at American University School of International Service, Seidel looks forward to 鈥渆ngaging students in critical reflection around issues of politics, development, and peacebuilding.鈥� He earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in biochemistry from Messiah College, a master鈥檚 degree in international peace and conflict resolution from American University School of International Service, and a master of the theological studies from Wesley Theological Seminary

Michael Spory, assistant professor of art

Spory earned a degree in art from 91短视频 and completed a master鈥檚 in architecture in 2015. He brings experience as an architectural intern and worked in marketing at MennoMedia. Spory鈥檚 interests lie in freelance photography, architecture, graphic design and branding. He was selected as a Lilly graduate fellow from 2012-2015.

Johonna Turner, PhD, assistant professor of restorative justice and peacebuilding

Turner brings a wealth of teaching experience from K-12 schools in Washington D.C. to adjunct teaching of undergraduate and graduate students at University of Maryland. She has also taught at 91短视频鈥檚 Summer Peacebuilding Institute. As founder and director of the Vision to Peace Project, she has been instrumental in teaching young people leadership skills to prevent violence and promote justice in their communities. Turner earned a bachelor鈥檚 degrees in interdisciplinary studies and news-editorial journalism at University of Missouri, Columbia. She earned a PhD in American studies at University of Maryland, College Park. In addition, she earned a graduate certificate in women鈥檚 studies at University of Maryland, College Park and an urban youth ministry graduate certificate from Fuller Theological Seminary.

Anna Westfall, assistant professor of art

Westfall earned a BFA in ceramic/sculpture from James Madison University and an MFA in ceramic/sculpture at University of New Mexico. Westfall brings prior teaching experience at 91短视频, as well as Bridgewater College and Savannah State University. Her interests lie in ceramic and sculpture techniques, three and two-dimensional design, drawing, photography and small scale casting.

Laurie Miller Yoder, PhD, assistant professor of chemistry and chemical hygiene officer

Yoder earned an undergraduate degree in chemistry from 91短视频 and a PhD in physical chemistry at the University of Michigan. Most recently, she was lay minister at Lombard Mennonite Church and a communications coordinator at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center. In addition, she was an independent consultant at Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York. Her work and interests are in kinetics (rates) of gas phase (atmospheric) chemistry as well as the rates of biochemical solution phase reactions.

A reception for the artist will be held 2:30-4 p.m. that day in the third floor art gallery.

In her work, Westfall says she "strives to capture the essence and energy found in the natural world while investigating the perception of the world around us."

Her forms reference growth, movement and a quiet energy found in nature through the repetition of simple forms.

"The investigation of perception guides me to explore various disciplines such as cosmology, psychology and DNA analysis as a means to understand the many facets of our experiences," she says.

She frequently uses images from the scientific world as a way "to see the balance, order and patterns that exist around us."

‘Blueprints: The Self’ by Anna Westfall

Unique Perspective

"Through my sculptures, I hope to provide the viewer with an opportunity to respond with a unique perspective through the use of the familiar yet unrecognizable," she states.

"My personal experiences dictate my perception of the world around me. Intentionally or otherwise, my work reflects that perception. I don’t want to impose my ideas on the viewer but rather invoke a feeling or a sense of an experiential environment and create an exchange of energy between the viewer and my work," she added.

The artist earned a bachelor of fine arts degree with a concentration in ceramics and sculpture from James Madison University in 1999 and went on to receive a master of fine arts degree with a concentration in ceramics and sculpture from the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque.

She has had solo and collaborative exhibits of her work displayed in several locations in New Mexico, the Sawhill Gallery at JMU, the Franklin Street Gallery and will exhibit at the Flashpoint Gallery in Washington, DC, in May 2007. She has worked as a potters assistant at Hawksbill Pottery in Harrisonburg.

The gallery will be open for viewing daily during regular library hours through Feb. 2. Admission is free.

Hartzler Library hours:

• Mon.-Thur. 7:45 a.m.-11 p.m.
• Fri. 7:45 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Sun. 2 p.m.-11 p.m.