ROCK ISLAND, IL (04/09/2014)(readMedia)-- Twelve Augustana seniors majoring in art will display their work at the Augustana Teaching Museum of Art (3703 7th Ave., Rock Island, Ill.), as part of New Departures: Senior Art Show. The exhibition opens Tuesday, April 29, and runs through Sunday, May 25. The museum is open from noon to 4 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays, and closed for final exams May 19-22.

The show exhibits work by studio art and graphic design majors who graduate this year. Displaying artwork in a variety of media, from painting and photography to quilting and video, the exhibition is the culmination of the students' Senior Inquiry process and overall academic experience. As the capstone project for every graduating Augustana student, Senior Inquiry encourages seniors to demonstrate the critical thinking and communication skills they've developed in their major and throughout their liberal arts education, and to reflect on the value of their work for their future profession and for the common good.

Each student has been guided by a faculty mentor and has worked countless hours to create and professionally display his or her original, completed work and progress during the past four years. The exhibiting artists will discuss their work in the Augustana Teaching Museum of Art's Centennial Hall gallery during a gallery talk at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 7. The public also is invited to the graduation day reception for the exhibition from 12:45-2 p.m. on Sunday, May 25.

Projects by students from our area featured in the exhibition include :

Monica Hill of Carbon Cliff and Rajinder Kaur of Silvis

Founded in 1860, Augustana College is a selective four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences. The college is recognized for the innovative program Augie Choice, which provides each student up to $2,000 to pursue a high-impact learning experience such as study abroad, an internship or research with a professor. Current students and alumni include 149 Academic All-Americans, a Nobel laureate, 13 college presidents and other distinguished leaders. The college enrolls 2,500 students and is located along one of the world's most important waterways, the Mississippi River, in a community that reflects the diversity of the United States.

Niabi Zoo, 13010 Niabi Zoo Road, Coal Valley, IL, is now open for the 2014 season.

NEW HOURS:

Monday-Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Last admission of the day is 4:00 p.m.

ADMISSION PRICES (MEMBERS GET IN FREE EVERY DAY)

Adults 13+ $8.25

Seniors 62+ $7.25

Kids Ages 3-12 $6.25

Kids under 3 get in free

Call (309) 799-3482 or visit www.niabizoo.com for more information.

Original art pieces by local high school students due April 11th

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today reminded students and teachers in Iowa's Second District that the deadline to submit original artwork for the 2014 Congressional Art Competition is quickly approaching. All artwork MUST be received by 11:59pm on Friday, April 11th. The annual competition is hosted by the United States House of Representatives to recognize talented young artists from across the nation. The winning student from each district is invited to Washington, D.C. to attend a reception held in their honor and will have his or her artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

"I am looking forward to seeing all of this year's great submissions," said Loebsack. "With the deadline quickly approaching, I encourage all students to start finalizing their art pieces. If any art teachers or parents in the Second District have questions, please call my Iowa City office for additional information."  

This year, to make submission of art work easier and to open the contest to as many students as possible, the winner of the contest will be chosen by the public through online voting. The submission process has also been streamlined. Details on how to submit art work are available by clicking here to visit Loebsack's website. All entries must be submitted no later than Friday, April, 11th at 11:59pm. For additional details about the competition, students should contact Dave Leshtz at 319-351-0789 or by email at david.leshtz@mail.house.gov.

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Xi-Ma, an instructor from the Confucius Institute, a branch of the University of Iowa's International Programs, will conduct a class at the Muscatine Art Center on the ancient art of calligraphy. Assisting Ma will be Erin Mullins of the Confucius Institute.  There is no experience necessary and all supplies will be included in the registration fee. Class size is limited so be sure to register now!

The Chinese Calligraphy class will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2014. Class will run from 5:15 through 6:45.  The registration fee is $10.00.  All class supplies will be provided however,  you may also purchase your own brush for the class for $5.00. Both instructors were here last year for the class. Call us at 563.263.8282 to get signed up now!

Chinese calligraphy is one of the most ancient forms of written communication. It has developed over thousands of years, and is a very fluid language. Chinese calligraphy, unlike the letters based on the Roman system of writing, does not separate each individual character that forms a word. Chinese writing uses the painted character to express an idea or word in its entirety. This calligraphy must be both functional and beautiful. It is a true art form.

Xi Ma is the Curriculum Coordinator at the Confucius Institute.  Ma also teaches Confucius Institute courses. She is a returning Iowa Alumnus, moving to Iowa City in 2012 from Bronx, New York where she coordinated the Mandarin Language Program for Fordham University.  Ma holds an MA in Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures from the University of Iowa, an MA in Foreign Language and Applied Linguistics and a BA in English from Anhui University.

Erin Mullins is the Program Coordinator at the Confucius Institute. A graduate of the University of Iowa, Mullins holds an M.A. in Counselor Education and a B.A. in Elementary Education.  Joining the Confucius Institute at the University of Iowa in 2011, Mullins previously provided outreach education and services to area schools and community agencies.

EVENT DETAILS:

What: Chinese Calligraphy Class

Who: Xi Ma of the Confucius institute

When: Thursday, April 3, 2014

Time: 5:15-6:45 PM

Where: The Muscatine Art Center

Admission to this program is FREE. Please contact, Lynn Bartenhagen, Office Coordinator, with any questions or concerns at 563-263-8282 or by email atlbartenhagen@muscatineiowa.gov.

The Muscatine Art Center is open to the public Tuesday,Wednesday and Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM, Thursday from 10 AM to 7 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 PM Admission is FREE.