Friends of Wellesley College Library Wellesley College VOLUME 31 • SPRING 2013 • NUMBER 1 Notes From Addis: Teaching at The Alle School of Fine Arts & Design at Addis Ababa University Nikki A. Greene Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in Art History and Africana Studies n January, I taught a series on the arts of Africa and the African Diaspora for the students and faculty as an invited visiting lecturer to the Alle School of Fine Arts and Design of Addis Ababa University in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Established in 1957 as the Alle School of Fine Arts, the institution is the only art school in Ethiopia, and, as such, is responsible for training most of the professional artists in the country. Courses in painting, sculpture, printmaking, industrial design, and art education provide students excellent training whether they remain in Ethiopia to teach or to pursue careers in design fields, though many go on to study and work abroad. I felt especially privileged to contribute to the curriculum since the school relies primarily on outside lecturers for enrichment in the History of Art, especially the Art of Africa, as they have no full-time professors who teach the discipline. David Olsen, Assistant Professor of Art at Wellesley, and I were able to arrange our visit to the Alle School through the long-time connections of Ethiopian-born filmmaker, Salem Mekuria, Professor of Art and Luella LaMer Professor of Women’s Studies. David Olsen spent a month at the Alle School teaching new media to students and faculty on computers previously donated to the school by Wellesley College’s Library & Technology Services. When I decided to go to Ethiopia to teach at the Alle School of Fine Arts and Design, I thought that teaching alone would suffice. The focus of my lectures centered on art of Western and Central Africa and the Americas. However, I hope to add my voice through writing to the choir of voices of those who advocate for locations like the Alle School of Fine Arts and Design in East Africa that keep art communities alive and thriving through passion, CONTINUED on page 3 I Faculty and staff of the Alle School of Fine and Design with Nikki A. Greene (on left) celebrate the donation of books on the Art of Africa and the African Diaspora thanks to the Friends of the Wellesley College Library. January 2013. David Olsen (standing center) revealing to Salem Mekuria (standing left) the new media work carried out by the faculty and students at the Alle School using the Wellesley College LTS donated computers. (Photo by Nikki A. Greene) The Alle School of Fine Arts and Design Painting Studio. (Photo by Nikki A. Greene)
Transcript
Friends of Wellesley College LibraryWellesley College
VOLUME 31 • SPRING 2013 • NUMBER 1
Notes From Addis:Teaching at The Alle School of Fine Arts & Design
at Addis Ababa UniversityNikki A. Greene
Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in Art History and Africana Studies
n January, I taught a series on the arts of Africa and the African Diaspora for the students and
faculty as an invited visiting lecturer to the Alle School of Fine Arts and Design of Addis Ababa University in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Established in 1957 as the Alle School of Fine Arts, the institution is the only art school in Ethiopia, and, as such, is responsible for training most of the professional artists in the country.
Courses in painting, sculpture, printmaking, industrial design, and art education provide students excellent training whether they remain in Ethiopia to teach or to pursue careers in design fields,
though many go on to study and work abroad. I felt especially privileged to contribute to the curriculum since the school relies primarily on outside lecturers for enrichment in the History of Art, especially the Art of Africa, as they have no full-time professors who teach the discipline.
David Olsen, Assistant Professor of Art at Wellesley, and I were able to arrange our visit to the Alle School through the long-time connections of Ethiopian-born filmmaker, Salem Mekuria, Professor of Art and Luella LaMer Professor of Women’s Studies. David Olsen spent a month at the Alle School teaching new media to students and faculty on
computers previously donated to the school by Wellesley College’s Library & Technology Services.
When I decided to go to Ethiopia to teach at the Alle School of Fine Arts and Design, I thought that teaching alone would suffice. The focus of my lectures centered on art of Western and Central Africa and the Americas. However, I hope to add my voice through writing to the choir of voices of those who advocate for locations like the Alle School of Fine Arts and Design in East Africa that keep art communities alive and thriving through passion,
CONTINUED on page 3
I
Faculty and staff of the Alle School of Fine and Design with Nikki A. Greene (on left) celebrate the donation of books on the Art of Africa and the African Diaspora thanks to the Friends of the Wellesley College Library. January 2013.
David Olsen (standing center) revealing to Salem Mekuria (standing left) the new media work carried out by the faculty and students at the Alle School using the Wel le s l ey Co l l ege LTS donated computers. (Photo by Nikki A. Greene)
The Alle School of Fine Arts and Design Painting Studio. (Photo by Nikki A. Greene)
A Message From the Co-ChairGeorgia B. Barnhill ’66
Dear Friends,This spring’s letter marks several
transitions. First, Eileen Hardy, Director of Library Collections and co-chair of the Friends of the Library Steering Committee, announced her retirement last month, after twenty-eight years at the College Library. Eileen brought to the Steering Committee useful knowledge of all aspects of the Library’s operations. Last spring, she suggested the idea of inviting Madeleine Albright to speak while she was on campus for the Albright Institute. Not only did Eileen have this brilliant idea, she led the implementation, every step of the way. The event, held at the end of January, was a stunning success. Eileen has been active throughout her term helping the Steering Committee with activities that you have read about in the Newsletter. Her contributions were many and we wish her a happy and fulfilling retirement.
Another change late in the fall was our loss of Kristy Grinder, who had supported our activities through her position in the Office for Resources. We appreciate her excellent work on our behalf—taking minutes, helping out with the Madeleine Albright event, reserving meeting space for each of the Steering Committee meetings, helping Amanda Zoellner with the Newsletter, tracking memberships, and sending out mailings to members. Kristy continues to work in the Office for Resources, but on a reduced schedule. During the winter, we enjoyed working with Katie Wright, a recent graduate of the College. We thank her for keeping
our efforts on track. We now have a new liaison to the Office for Resources, Elizabeth Ahern Crowley. She is a graduate of the Catholic University of America and has had experience in fund raising, marketing, and event coordination. She has not yet met with the Steering Committee, but we look forward to her participation in our activities.
Four committee members are departing. Maud Chaplin has served on both the program and student involvement committees and has worked on the student research award program with Betty Febo who recently retired from the Library and Technology Services staff. Peg Hadzima has been treasurer for several years and has successfully helped the committee understand our complex financial statements and made recommendations about expenditures. Deb Holman returned to the committee after an absence of several years, but has found that her demanding schedule as head at Brookline High School precludes her attendance at meetings. Finally, Dot Widmayer who was my predecessor as alumna co-chair for five years and a committee member for more than a decade, is also retiring. She served on every committee! The collective wisdom and active participation of our retiring members will be missed. The nominating committee is bringing the names of new members for consideration at the May meeting and we will report on their election in the fall.
Thank you for your support of the Library’s activities!
Georgia B. Barnhill ’66
PAGE 2 • FRIENDS OF WELLESLEY COLLEGE LIBRARY !
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
Honorary ChairpersonH. Kim Bottomly
Founding MemberMary E. Jackson ’24
Co-ChairsGeorgia Brady Barnhill ’66
Eileen Hardy
Manager of Friends ProgramsElizabeth Ahern Crowley
Newsletter EditorAmanda Zoellner ’03
PhotographySarah Gilman ’82
Steering CommitteeMary Allen
Barbara E. Coburn ’52Clemency Chase Coggins ’55
Sarah Gilman ’82Margaret D. Hadzima ’73
Deborah Holman ’89Nancy L. Leblang ’78
Ruth R. RogersSusan F. Saul ’65
Wilma SlaightDiane S. Triant ’68
Dorothea Widmayer ’52Leslie Perrin Wilson ’75
Amanda Zoellner ’03
EmeritaePolly Slavet ’67
Janice L. Hunt ’52Lia Gelin Poorvu ’56
June M. Stobaugh ’66Elinor Bunn Thompson ’37
NOTES FROM ADDIS continued from page 1commitment and undying energy despite many obstacles, especially bureaucratic, to provide knowledge of and access to the fine arts.
Through the generous donation of $600 by the Friends of the Wellesley College Library, the Alle School library received multiple copies of important texts on African Art and the African Diaspora, which will further aid in developing a more critical and theoretical understanding of the Arts of Africa. Berhanu Ashagrie, Head of the Alle School of Fine Arts and Design, the faculty, and staff have expressed their sincere gratitude for this contribution.
For more information on contemporary Ethiopian art and a brief history of the Alle School of Fine Arts and Design, see Elizabeth Harney, Ethiopian Passages: Contemporary Art from the Diaspora. (London; New York: Philip Wilson Publishers; Palgrave Macmillan, 2003.)
Books donated included the following:✦ Blier, Suzanne. The Royal Arts of
Africa: The Majesty of Form. (New York: H.N. Abrams, 1998.)
✦ Enwezor, Okwui and Chika Okeke-Agulu. Contemporary African Art Since 1980. (Damiani, 2009.)
✦ Kasfir, Sidney. Contemporary African Art. (London and New York Thames & Hudson; World of Art Series, 1999.)
✦ Patton, Sharon S. African American Art. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999.)
✦ Visonà, Monica, et al. A History of Art in Africa. 2nd Edition. (New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2008.)
Nikki A. Greene, Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow in Art History and Africana Studies, lecturing at the Alle School of Fine Arts & Design, Addis Ababa University, January 2013.
The Alle School of Fine Arts and Design Courtyard. (Photo by Nikki A. Greene)
The Alle School of Fine Arts and Design Printmaking Studio.(Photo by Nikki A. Greene)
n late January, the Friends of Wellesley College Library and Library & Technology Services
co-sponsored a book talk featuring former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s recently published Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937-1948.
Over 500 community members gathered in Alumnae Hall auditorium for the program. Gigi Barnhill ’66 welcomed the audience on behalf of the Friends of the Library and Library & Technology Services, and College President Kim Bottomly introduced Sec. Albright and Dean Shennan.
The first half of the conversation featured Dean Shennan and Sec. Albright’s discussion of Prague Winter. During the second half of the conversation, Sec. Albright took questions from the audience,
including students, faculty, and alumnae.
Following the conversation, Sec. Albright graciously inscribed copies of Prague Winter for community members. The Friends of the Library had copies of the book available for sale; they were very popular and sold out in minutes.
The Friends send their sincere thanks to all the College staff who worked together to provide outstanding support for the event, including publicity, facilities, security, and audio-visual services. It was a very successful event!
PAGE 4 • FRIENDS OF WELLESLEY COLLEGE LIBRARY !
Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937-1948
a conversation with Madeleine Korbel Albright ’59
Co-sponsored by Library & Technology Services and the Friends of Wellesley College Library
I January 25, 2013Alumnae HallAuditorium,
Wellesley College
Event TweetsTwitter users were invited to use the hashtag #PragueWinter to share thoughts on the event.
Here’s a sampling of tweets:
@Wellesley: Madeleine Albright #praguewinter book talk and signing starting now at Wellesley’s Alumnae Hall.
@hobbyist: “There’s plenty of room for mediocre men in the world. There’s no room for mediocre women.” -Madeleine Albright #PragueWinter
@dlenares: #PragueWinter MA graduated from @Wellesley with the sense that there wasn’t anything she could not do.
@niathena: Notorious statement by Neville Chamberlain: “Why should we care about people in faraway places with unpronounceable names?” #praguewinter
@ravishan: #PragueWinter “I had actually witnessed a war” something that differentiated her from her #wellesley classmates.
@niathena: Thanks to Friends of the Library for their support of this event! #praguewinter #Wellesley
Friends Steering Committee Co-Chair Georgia Barnhill '66 welcomes the audience to Prague Winter Book Talk in Alumnae Hall. (Photo by Jim McLean.)
Sec. Madeleine K. Albright '59 (Photo by Jim McLean.)
If you missed the event or want to hear the conversation again, it’s available on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIRyjLgaaNU
Wellesley College President H. Kim Bottomly introduces Sec. Madeleine Albright '59.
Provost and Dean Andrew Shennan discusses Prague Winter with the author. (Photo by Jim McLean.)
Tricia Lu ’14, a 2013 Albright Institute Fellow, asks Sec. Albright a question about her book. (Photo by Jim McLean.)
Steering Committee member Wilma Slaight looks on as Sec. Albright signs a copy of Prague Winter for a guest. (Photo by Jim McLean.)
A reaction to the conversation from a long-time Friends of the Library member:
“How brilliant that FOL took on this project....The conversation between Andy Shennan and Madeleine covered a lot of ground in depth. The questions by the students were good, also. I keep on remembering how insecure I
was at their age to be on a public forum. Wellesley certainly trains women to be leaders for the future.”
small group of book lovers gathered in the Book Arts Laboratory in Clapp Library
on April 6, 2013, to enjoy Katherine Ruffin’s annual spring book arts workshop sponsored by the Friends of the Library. This year’s theme was the printing of poetry, in recognition of National Poetry Month. By demonstration, we learned how type is set, how to print and use a galley proof, and how to load the chase for printing.
An e. e. cummings poem, previously set in type for us, was inked and printed on the Vandercook SP-15 press by each participant. Study of the printed page allowed us to appreciate the challenge of printing poetry, with its lines of uneven length, and of the importance of space. The visual impact of the printed page is so important to one’s pleasure in reading poetry.
In addition, we learned to decorate paper with marbling by the Japanese suminagashi method, producing delicate patterns on papers that could be used for printing poetry or for covers for booklets of printed verse. The afternoon ended with the making of small booklets for many uses, among them the writing of poetry. It was a satisfying, enjoyable afternoon.
PAGE 6 • FRIENDS OF WELLESLEY COLLEGE LIBRARY !
Spring Book Arts Workshop Features Printing, Marbling, Binding, and Poetry!
Dot Widmayer ’52
A
Dot Widmayer, Wilma Slaight, Gigi Barnhill, and Paul Esposito bind books using marbled paper. (Photo by Katherine Ruffin.)
Wilma Slaight, Dot Widmayer, Martha Pott, Gigi Barnhill, and Megan Erikson practice suminagashi marbling. (Photo by Katherine Ruffin.)
Wilma Slaight prints a copy of e. e. cummings’ poem on the Vandercook SP-15. (Photo by Katherine Ruffin.)
lemency Coggins ’55 (C.C.) is currently teaching her last class
in the Art History and Archaeology Departments at Boston University where she has taught for 24 years.
An Art History major at Wellesley, C.C. earned a library degree when her children were small, before returning to Boston for graduate school in fine arts - an indication of a life-long love of and involvement with libraries – including her own library of books relating to archaeology, especially the ancient Andean and Mesoamerican civilizations.
ibrary & Technology Services hosted its student thesis event
on Oct 23, 2012, in the Clapp Library’s Brackett Room. Honors thesis students enjoyed refreshments and had time to confer with library staff and faculty and to create embellishments for their thesis carrels. Thanks to Laura Sherriff, Public Services Manager, for the event photos and information.
SPRING 2013 • PAGE 7
Is it time to renew your membership?You may use the form below and make your check payable to Wellesley College.
Mail to: ! Friends of Wellesley College Library, Wellesley College, ! Office for Resources, Green Hall 259, 106 Central Street, Wellesley, MA 02481.
Please choose a membership category: ! ___ Patron*$2,500 ! ! ___ Donor $250! ___ Endowment Fund! ___ Benefactor $1000 !! ___ Sponsor $100! ___ Supporter $500! ! ___ Contributor $50! ___ Young Alum $15 (graduates from past 5 years)! *Entitles Durant Society Membership
Name: ___________________________________________! Class, if applicable: _____________Street Address: ____________________________________________________________________City: ______________________________! State: _____! Zip Code: ____________Phone Number: (_____)______________! Email Address: _______________________________
Or, make your gift online at www.wellesley.edu/give, and choose “Friends of the Library” as your gift designation.
Steering Committee Welcomes
New Member
C
Thesis Students’ Fall Reception
Research & Instruction Librarian Laura O'Brien shows faculty member Joe Swingle and several thesis students how to manage their citations using Zotero.
Promotional material from the event.
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Students created thesis carrel decorations using discarded book covers
FRIENDS OF WELLESLEY COLLEGE LIBRARYOffice for ResourcesWellesley College 106 Central StreetWellesley, MA 02481-8203 new.wellesley.edu/alumnae/libraryfriends
NON-PROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE
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PERMIT No 12548
Reunion Card SaleSaturday, June 8, 2013
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.Wang Campus Center
A special gift for Wellesley friends: Postcards feature photos from the Archives.
Each of five sets is $10 and contains two each of eight images. Individual postcards are $1.
Support the Friends of the Library at Reunion with your purchase of postcards or a variety
of notecards, including holiday cards.
Study Break!
The Friends of the Library help to sponsor a variety of library-centered events for students. In addition to the traditional snacks during finals period in December, the Friends helped the Library host therapy dogs to provide some stress relief. Although the dogs are perhaps not traditional library visitors, they were a big hit with students! (Photo by Laura Sherriff.)
