The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh art department is hosting two alumni events on Nov. 11 in celebration of the University’s sesquicentennial.
The evening will begin with an Alumni Panel Discussion featuring six alumni from the art department, all in different areas of study: art education, fine art and graphic design. The panel discussion is set for 4 to 5:30 p.m. in Sage Hall, room 1210.
Leslie Walfish
“This event is a great opportunity to recall fond memories of UW Oshkosh and connect with alumni and current students,” said Leslie Walfish, art gallery director and campus curator. “The six alumni will be sharing information about their time attending UW Oshkosh and their current work in the field.”
PaNihia Chang ’20, an art teacher at Johnston Elementary School in Appleton, is one of the six alumni panelists and is excited to take part in the special event.
“I feel honored to be given this wonderful opportunity to partake in this event and be part of the panel,” Chang said. “I feel this is an opportunity to give alumni a chance to share and showcase our stories and influence others who are studying the same field and going for the same career.”
Chang also is looking forward to connecting with other panelists and those in attendance.
“I am excited to meet and get to know the other alumni. I look forward to hearing their stories and experiences they all had at UW Oshkosh,” Chang said. “I am also looking forward to talking and interacting with the audience and hopefully answering any questions they have.”
Following the discussion, a reception will take place for the Alumni and Emeritus Faculty Sesquicentennial Exhibition in the Allen Priebe Gallery in the Arts and Communications Center. The event will go from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Over 40 alumni from the art department are displaying current work in the exhibition. The works are in a wide range of media, including art education, ceramics, drawing, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and video. The exhibition runs from Nov. 11 through Dec. 2
“It is a true celebration of our alumni,” Walfish said. “All alumni, current students, potential students and community members are welcome.”
Laura Pahlas’ painting titled “Hannah and Her Girls”
Alumna Laura Pahlas ’08 and ’10, will have her artwork showcased at the exhibition. A former art teacher in Madisen and now artist and educator who owns Heartwork Studios in Oshkosh, she honored to be part of the exhibition.
“It means a lot to be part of the Sesquicentennial Exhibition,” Pahlas said. “I spent a total of seven years at UWO, first as a painting student and then an addition two years as an art education student. That time meant so much to me when I was in it and had such a lasting impact on my life. It really is an honor to now be part of an exhibit celebrating the art department and the University.”
Pahlas will have a painting titled “Hannan and Her Girls” displayed at the exhibit.
“The painting is inspired by a photo a friend took of herself and her two daughters,” Pahlas said. “She shared it with me and I was immediately struck by the beauty of the poses. Capturing the meaning of relationships as it appears in everyday moments is one of my favorite things to capture in paint.”
To learn more about both events, go here.