SIA 2025

SIA 2024

This year’s SIA, made possible with funding from IMMaD (the Institute for Innovative Media, Materials, and Design), is organized by Adjunct Professor Elizabeth Shores and Lecturer Marisa Watanabe. 

A total of 9 Art Faculty, 1 Writing Arts Faculty, 1 Philosophy Faculty, and the Campbell Library Archivist will lead 18 free introductory workshops for students attending classes at Westby, listed below.

After the SIA, we intend to hold an exhibition and pizza party showcasing the pieces created during the workshops. This will provide a space to celebrate the work of participating students and faculty as well as promote the event for future iterations of the Annual SIA.

Westby Hall / February 19-23, 2024
Free to all, but limited space is available.
Registration is required; Please sign up here: https://forms.gle/EbGSHbGaSBMuv2dt6
For any questions please contact: Elizabeth Shores (shores@rowan.edu) or Marisa Watanabe (watanabe@rowan.edu)

Poster for Rowan Symposium for Interdisciplinary Arts Spring 2024

Session Details:

“Printmaking with Gelli Plates” with Carol Schottenfeld
Session 1 (Tuesday, February 20, 2:00 PM-4:00 PM)
Session 2 (Thursday, February 22 2:00 PM-4:00 PM)

Gelli Printing is taking the world by storm. What is it and how does it work? Gelli Printing is a type of monoprinting that doesn't require any fancy equipment to execute, but can be a little pricey for the beginner. Come try it out in this 2 hour workshop. All supplies included.

“Engaging with Historical Documents” with Sara Borden
Session 1 (Monday, February 19 11:00 AM-1:00PM)
Session 2 (Tuesday, February 20 2:00PM-4:00PM)

Attendees will interact with rare historical documents, learn how to do primary source research, and practice making inferences with little background information. Treasures from University Archives & Special Collections (UASC) will be on display and students will have a chance to understand how our past informs our future, regardless of field of study. Displayed artifacts may be works of art, rare books, historical documents, Rowan-related artifacts, or other surprises. This workshop will be hands-on and interactive with the goal of learning how UASC can support educational pursuits and research for students across academic disciplines.

“Creative Coding & Letter Forming” with Marisa Watanabe
Monday, February 19, 11:00 AM-1:45 PM 

This workshop will provide an introductory landscape to P5.js, a free coding library designed to be accessible and inclusive for artists and beginners! Learn how to make unique letterforms out of digital shapes and how to incorporate interactivity utilizing inputs such as mouse movements and sound!

((No prior coding knowledge required.))

“Zines! Using DIY Publishing to Make/Copy/Share” with Dr. Jason Luther and Dr. Eva Boodman
Thursday, Feb 22, 2:00 PM-4:45 PM

In our workshop we will share examples of zines — self-made, self-circulated print publications — discuss some of the history and practices of zines makers, and very briefly delve into the material affordances and constraints of the medium by making a mini-zine. Participants will make this out of a single sheet of paper, drawing from both specific writing prompts as well as piles of detritus/ephemera, highlighting multiple pathways toward a creative process that can be inspired by both language and the available materials and means of production. Zines have been adopted by feminist, activist, and DIY groups as a way of disseminating information that might not otherwise be available, so they are great for the kind of content students might learn in various classes across campus including Self-Publishing, Feminist Ethics, Decolonial Philosophy, and other courses that focus on experimental, innovative, or radical approaches to disseminating information.

“Printmaking on Scrap Fabric” with Krystle Lemonias
Wednesday, February 21 11:00 AM-1:45 PM

In an engaging introductory workshop, the dynamic world of printmaking unfolds, weaving together creativity and sustainability practices. Within the vibrant workshop space, participants immerse themselves in a hands-on experience, discovering the transformative potential of repurposing scrap fabric into visually captivating printed artworks.

Attendees will be steered through a relief printmaking technique using linoleum block printing to stamp prints on their sewn fabrics. As linoleum stamps will then be applied creating harmonious interplay of artistic expression and eco-conscious compositions.

Amidst a backdrop of shared ideas and focused exploration, participants experiment with patterns and textures, each creation narrating a distinct visual tale.

“Direct-Carve Aluminum Pour Workshop for CCCA” with Sam Horowitz
Session 1 (Monday, February 19 8:00 AM-11:00 AM)
Session 2 (Wednesday, February 21 11:00 AM-2:00 PM)

TLDR: Carve sand, watch molten aluminum fill the mold! Make your mark on a communal sculptural panel celebrating the College of Communication and Create Arts! Carve into a large open-face sand mold spelling out “CCCA” in collaboration with other students and community members. A group of intermediate and advanced sculpture students, visiting artists, and faculty members will pour the molds on Wednesday, along with molds from Intermediate/Advanced Sculpture for an afternoon full of heat, creativity, and collaboration! After the molds cool and undergo a bit of finishing/cleaning, they will be displayed in Westby’s first floor hallway.

“Caricature for Illustration” with Adam Gustavson and Kyle Margiotta
Tuesday, February 20 2:00 PM-4:45 PM

Caricature is a centuries old form of portraiture, wherein the artist strives for likeness by exaggerating the features that make us stand out as individuals. Working from several pieces of supplied photo reference, we will explore different approaches to drawing the human face, pushing against the limits of realism to find a greater (and much funnier looking) truth.

“The Art of Paper Quilling” with Iris Richardson
Session 1 (Monday, February 19 11:00 AM-1:45 PM)
Session 2 (Wednesday, February 21 11:00 AM-1:45 PM)

Introduction to the art of paper quilling. Quilling originated around 300-400 AD. In its earlier days, precious metals such as gold and silver were used. Due to the high cost, paper replaced precious metals. Quilling art is hand-craft art. It uses strips of paper that are rolled, shaped, and glued together to create designs. During the workshop participating students will be introduced to the art of paper quilling by learning the coiling, and shaping of narrow paper strips to create designs to create handmade 3D greeting cards, bookmarks, pictures, or jewelry. Furthermore, students will be encouraged to explore color and design for their final projects. 

Paper Quilling is incredibly relaxing and calming, is transportable, and can easily be done in small spaces and on a budget. It is the perfect medium for the busy university student who loves to be creative but is pressed for time.

“Cecilia McKinnon Artist Talk & Video Art Fundamentals Workshop” with Elizabeth Shores 
Tuesday, February 20, 2:00 PM-4:45 PM

This workshop will focus on image (re)production as a strategy for creating video art. Archival images and found footage will act as fodder for projection play, DIY image distortions, and acts of translation between not-so-obsolete analog and digital media. Sources will be transformed through collaborative experimentation and re-captured as original footage for new video works, with time to explore simple edits and post-production techniques at the end of the session. 

“Jazmyn Crosby Artist Talk & Sound Installation Fundamentals Workshop” with Elizabeth Shores 
Wednesday, February 21, 2:00 PM-4:45 PM

This workshop will overview basic concepts and a brief history of sound art with artist Jazmyn Crosby. This three hour workshop will include a deep listening activity and sound walk and will culminate in a collaborative audio visual improvisation and sound sculpture using Zoom. 

“Concrete Casting: Making a Geometric Planter” with Kate Testa
Session 1 (Tuesday, February 20 8:00 AM-10:45 AM)
Session 2 (Tuesday, February 20 11:00 AM-1:45 PM)

Build a single use mold from cardboard, and foam core to cast concrete into. Learn best practices when cutting and gluing cardboard and foam core along with mixing and pouring concrete.

“Forged Copper Bracelets” with Maureen Duffy
Session 1 (Thursday, February 22 11:00 AM - 1:45 PM)
Session 2 (Thursday, February 22 2023 2:00 - 4:45 PM)

In this workshop students will learn the art of forging a bracelet or object out of a heavy gauge copper wire. They will learn what hammers to use to move the metal on the anvil and how to twist the metal using a vice. They will also get a quick introduction to using the torch to heat their copper. Finally they will file sand and finish their bracelet with a polish or a patina. This is a great project that gives students a quick hands on experience moving metal and completing a wearable piece of art.

SIA 2023

This year’s SIA, made possible with funding from IMMaD, was organized by Adjunct Professor Elizabeth Shores and Lecturer Marisa Watanabe. A total of 148 students participated in workshops run by 10 Art Faculty, the Campbell Library Archivist, and the student group Women of Westby, listed below.

• “Alma Thomas Lesson” with Rowan student group Women of Westby
• “Caricature: O, the Wisdom of a Face!” with Instructor Adam Gustavson & Adjunct Professor Kyle Margiotta
• “Creative Coding & Letter-Forming” with Lecturer Marisa Watanabe
• “Forged Copper Bracelets” with Instructor Maureen Duffy
• “Handmade Recycled Sketchbooks” with Adjunct Professor Carol Schottenfeld
• “Hands on Animation Techniques” with Assistant Professor Robby Gilbert
• “Intro to Fiber Arts and Sewing” with Instructor Kate Testa
• “Jazmyn Crosby Artist Talk + BioDesign Workshop” with Adjunct Professor Elizabeth Shores
• “Paper Quilling 101” with Adjunct Professor Iris Richardson
• “Reading History: What Can Our Past Tell Us about Our Present?” with Archivist Sara Borden
• “What's in the bag? Collage and the Creative Process” with Instructor Alicia Finger

With special help from Lecturer Nancy Sophy, the event concluded with a pop-up exhibition and pizza party in the Studio Art building showcasing work made by students across the different workshops. 

SIA 2022

The "Symposium for Interdisciplinary Arts” offers a hands-on approach in introducing other areas of making and thinking to Rowan students at the Art department and beyond. There are 14 different workshops to be conducted by various Arts Faculty through April 4th-8th, 2022. 

Free to all, but limited space is available.
Registration is required; Please sign up here: https://bit.ly/RSfIAS2022
For any questions please contact the program head: Mina Zarfsaz at zarfsaz@rowan.edu

Program Guide for Rowan Symposium for Interdisciplinary Arts Spring 2022
Poster for Rowan Symposium for Interdisciplinary Arts Spring 2022

Session Details

Intro to Paper Quilling / Westby 103
Session 1 (Tuesday April 5, 2022 8:00AM-10:30AM)
Session 2 (Thursday, April 7, 2022 8:00AM-10:30AM)

Professor: Iris Richardson

Paper quilling is the art of cutting paper into long thin strips, rolling and pinching the pieces into different shapes, and then gluing the shapes together to create 3D art. We will create a 5X7 work of art.

What's in the bag? Collage and the Creative Process / Westby 205
Session 1 (Monday, April 4, 2022 2:00 PM-4:45 PM)
Session 2 (Wednesday, April 6, 2022, 2:00 PM - 4:45 PM)

Professor: Alicia Finger

If you love experimenting and being surprised, this workshop for you! In this workshop we will being focusing on the creative process through the use of collage. Together we will discuss the history of collage, how collage fits in our contemporary art world, and spend some time creating and collaborating.

What's in a picture: Illustration as visual storytelling / Westby 219
(Friday, April 8, 2022, 9:00AM - 1:00PM, followed by (optional) additional studio time.)

Professors: Adam Gustavson & Kyle Margiotta

Illustration is a discipline in the visual arts that pulls from nearly every other studio area. It is not relegated to a single style, medium, or market; rather, it is visual art with the responsibility of communication.

What it communicates can often be distilled into a punchline, a narrative, a mystery... even just a feeling. An illustration often serves as support for written media, but even this is not always the case. At their essence, illustrations are pictures made through a collaborative process, which serve a purpose and communicate an idea.

In this workshop, students will learn the steps involved in this collaborative process, through a creative exercise involving archival photo reference, observation, memory, and the influence of art history.

Fabricating Forms: Collaborative Textile Installation / Westby 103
Session 1 (Monday, April 4, 2022, 2:00PM - 4:45PM)
Session 2 (Wednesday, April 6, 2022, 2:00PM-4:45PM)

Professor: Addison Namnoum

In this workshop, we will make material interventions on fabric (weavings, braidings, knottings, and cuts) as well as learn how to make photographic dye transfers to create dynamic sculptural forms using fabric.

Each participant will have the opportunity to work individually on their own component, then later we will assemble the work collaboratively with the entire group to make a final installation. Through the collaborative installation process, we will explore formal questions of visual mass, space, line, form, and color. We will also discuss the rich conceptual language and histories of textile art that is available for us to tap into: how textile is craft, how textile is political, and how textile binds us together.

Sand Carving and Aluminum Casting / Westby 103
Session 1 (Thursday, April 7th, 2022, 11:00AM)
Session 2 (Thursday, April 7th, 2022, 2:00PM)

Professor: Emily Baker

I will be doing a carving activity on Thursday where students can come in and carve a big block of resin-bonded sand. Then, we will cast the piece on Saturday. The carving will all be done on one block so the piece will be communal.

Casting Concrete: Making a Geometric Planter / Westby 103
(Tuesday, April 5, 2022, 8:00AM-10:30AM)

Professor: Kate Testa

In this one day workshop students will learn the basics of mold making and casting while creating a geometric concrete planter. As an introduction into building 3-dimensionally, each participant will will build a single use hollow form molds that will be cast with concrete. Other mold making processes and materials will be discussed.

Artist talk with Jess Aquino - dying workshop to follow / TBA
(Friday, April 8, 2022, 10:00AM-11:00AM)

TBA

Mind & Body Monoprinting / Westby 111
Session 1 (Tuesday, April 5, 2022, 12:30PM-1:45PM)
Session 2 (Tuesday, April 5, 2022, 3:30PM-4:45PM)

Professor: Elizabeth Shores

Following a slide presentation about self-portraiture and movement activities, participants will monoprint their most powerful self. Previous artmaking experience not required.

NITE-LITE / Westby 219
(Wednesday, April 6, 2022, 5:00PM-9:00PM)

Professors: Jen Kitson & Mina Zarfsaz

Come play with light and sound! We will prototype ideas in a collaborative setting and activate a public space or structure. Bring a cell phone or camera to document, a laptop if you have one; wear appropriate clothing for outdoor activities.