Public invited to EAC Faculty Art Show opening

By Lizzie Clonts

THATCHER – Eastern Arizona College’s Division of Fine Arts invites you to its Faculty Art Show opening to be held Monday, Feb. 4, from 5-7 p.m., in the EAC Activities Center lobby. This free event will feature the work of six EAC professors, including Jeff Henley, Franklin Alvarez, Stuart Gibson, Andra Jensen, Deanna Cluff, and Erika Johnston. The art presented at this event will be displayed for viewing through Feb. 20 during regular business hours.

Stuart J. Gibson, EAC art associate professor, works in a variety of two- and three-dimensional media, including drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, installation, video, and sound. Common topics explored in his work revolve around the poetics of the “every day” and how meaningful experiences are qualified and assessed on the individual and collective levels. He uses personal experience as his source material. Examples of his diverse body of work can be found on his website at www.stuartjgibson.com.

Andra Jensen, EAC adjunct associate professor of art, grew up in Arizona, where she was surrounded by amazing desert colors. When she was 3-years-old, she sold her first work to her grandfather for five cents and her family has continued to support her art pursuits, education, and participation in art competitions ever since. Her passion is watercolor. She loves the beautiful papers and the transparency of the paints. Her trademark is using watercolor to create the softest effects possible. Jensen’s subject matter is often influenced by her love of the past, especially geology, classic cars, and family history.

Erika Johnston, EAC adjunct associate professor of art, lives in Tucson and attended Grinnell College, where she received her bachelor of art degree. Johnston also attended the University of Arizona where she earned a Master of Fine Art in Visual Communications. To find out more information, visit Johnston’s website at www.erikajohnston.com.

Jeff Henley, associate professor and department chair of art, has a range of professional work that extends from traditional media to graphic design. While at the University of Arizona, he studied under David Christiana, Alfred Quiroz, and David Darts. He has taught art and graphic design at Pima Community College, Cochise College, Southwest University of Visual Arts, and Eastern Arizona College.

“Come discover what EAC’s art faculty is creating,” Henley said. “In addition to featuring work by our talented returning faculty, this year we’re happy to have Deanna Cluff on-board teaching oil and watercolor painting. Deanna has a rich portfolio of work and has been active in the local arts community for years. Plus, we’re featuring photography by the multi-talented Franklin Alvarez, EAC’s talented orchestra director and associate professor of music.”

For more information on this event contact Henley at (928) 428-8470 or by e-mail at jeff.henley@eac.edu.