UNF Fine Art Students Perform a “Wolfbat Wedding” of Printmaking and Sculpture at MOCA

Contact: Carl Holman, Assistant Director 

(904) 620-1921 (office)

(904) 226-4843 (cell)

The University of North Florida and its cultural resource, The Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, present “Wind Weaver and the Whirling Wheel: A Tale of Woflbat Romance,” a month-long hybrid print/sculpture exhibition inspired by Nordic folklore from Thursday, Feb. 3, to Sunday, March 20 and a one-time art performance on Thursday, March 3 at the museum.  

Underwritten by the Barbara Ritzman Devereux Artist Workshop, “Wind Weaver and the Whirling Wheel” consists of the new breed of printmaker, sculptor, musician, performer and poet. Artists Dennis McNett of Howling Print Studio, John S. Hancock of Amazing Hancock Brothers and John Hitchcock of Hybrid Press will exhibit 2-D and 3-D work based on a Nordic folklore creation myth led by wolves, gods and cosmology of Hybrid Animals. 

            The Visiting Artists will conduct a series of collaborative print and sculpture workshop Friday, Feb. 28, through Friday, March 4 with UNF Department of Art and Design students and Assistant Professors Jenny Hager and Emily Arthur Douglass. During the workshop, students will work alongside McNett, Hancock and Hitchcock to edition prints, costumes and large-scale sculptures. Later, they will work with museum staff to install the created work at MOCA. 

            “’Wind Weaver and the Whirling Wheel’ gives us an interesting way that figuratively and literally marries sculpture and printmaking to educate our students, gives them hands on experience with professional artists and produces work that is educational, entertaining and visually striking,” said Hager. 

            With additional support from Academic Affairs and the College of Arts and Sciences, the BRD Artist Workshop culminates with a performance of “Wind Weaver” at 7 p.m., Thursday, March 3, at MOCA. The three-act performance, staged in the museum atrium, tells the wedding story between the sky and sun/moon and two wolves. Featuring ornate and elaborate costuming, UNF students, faculty and the Visiting Artists will parade through Hemming Plaza highlighted by a musical performance Associate Professor Charlotte Mabrey andUNF Drum Ensemble students. 

The Barbara Ritzman Devereux Artist Workshop at UNF is designed to supplement traditional academic and applied art instruction by providing students the opportunity to work with distinguished artists representing a broad range of visual media. The aim of the workshops is to place students in an atmosphere where experimentation, production, and constructive discussion is encouraged and guided by accomplished artists representing diverse aesthetic practices and philosophies. Selected workshop events are open to the general public. 

For more information about “Wind Weaver and the Whirling Wheel: A Tale of Wolfbat Romance,” visit www.mocajacksonville.org or call MOCA at (904) 366-6911. Additional information can also be found at the Barbara Ritzman Devereux Artist Workshop website:http://www.unf.edu/coas/art-design/visiting-artist/. 

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