Top Story Archive

Department of Art Expands Palette

Coach Stinnett and UWF Basketball are Back

Holiday Season Means the Return of "A Christmas Carol"

Department of Art Expands Palette
By Lauren Smith, University Marketing Communications

The University of West Florida Department of Art has expanded its palette—students now have the opportunity to choose pixels rather than paint to express their art. The department offers two new program specializations: Digital Art and Graphic Design.

“Students entering the Bachelor of Fine Arts program and specializing in digital art consider the computer as their tool for art-making,” said Joseph Herring, assistant professor for Art at UWF.

Herring said the aim of the new specializations is to keep the ideas as fresh as the technology. He encourages his students to see the relevance and influence of technology as it relates to human interaction, communication and thought.  

 “A really exciting thing is that we are trying to prepare creative theorists who will be designing the jobs that don’t yet exist,” said Herring. “As technological advances appear faster and faster, the ability to just perceive what’s going on and to participate and help advance the creative side of new technology is where we want our students to be.”

Students who specialize in digital art may work on software-based cinema which involves interactive, non-linear narrative using contemporary video and graphics technologies. Next semester, Professor Thomas Asmuth will teach a digital multimedia class where students will have the opportunity to work on physical computing projects.

“Students this semester engaged in many exciting areas of the new media art practice, including 3d modeling, social media to explore identity, intervention and social practice,” said Asmuth.

Both Herring and Asmuth teach their classes in newly renovated computers labs. Specifically, there is a main classroom with 20 iMacs, each outfitted with the Adobe Creative Suite, as well as Final Cut and Adobe After Effects. Lessons are projected onto a video screen. There is also an advanced lab which contains five powerMac computers—soon to be 12—that feature the Adobe CS as well as the full Final Cut Studio. Last, but not least, there is a state-of-the-art print lab.

 “I chose to specialize in graphic design because it’s a very new and exciting field which has a broad range of opportunities within it,” said Samantha Williams, a senior majoring in fine arts with a specialization in graphic design. “UWF has helped me prepare for my future career by providing wonderful opportunities for networking and also building a strong portfolio.”

To learn more about the digital media and/or graphic design specializations at the Department of Art, visit uwf.edu/art or contact Herring at jherring@uwf.edu.   

Coach Stinnett and UWF Basketball are Back
By Susie Forrester, University Marketing Communications

The arrival of the basketball season is always a good reason to celebrate, but this year, there is another reason to cheer at UWF – Bob Stinnett is the new head coach of the men’s team.

Stinnett, a 1969 graduate, former basketball player at UWF and a member of the UWF Athletics Hall of Fame, returns to campus with a winning record of 297-98 (.752) in 18 seasons coaching at high school, junior college and college levels. He also arrives with momentum: At his last job, two years at Pensacola High School, Stinnett helped the Tigers build an impressive record of 54-15.

But will Stinnett, who was hired for his dream job in July, be able to continue his winning ways while at UWF? A few friends and followers believe the odds are in his favor.

 “I think people are just generally excited that one of their own is taking the helm at UWF,” said Joe Ambersley, former athletic director at UWF and co-chair of the UWF Athletics Visioning Team. “He’s well known in the community, and he’s 100 percent dedicated to recruiting the best possible people possible and putting the best team on the floor.”

Jody Skelton, ’69, Stinnett’s old roommate and teammate. “Bob always builds a good rapport with his players. He did that when he was younger and he still does that.”

Although Stinnett got a late start in preparing for the upcoming season which starts Nov. 16, Skelton is confident UWF will have a competitive team this year.

“No one will out work Bob, no one will spend more hours getting those kids ready to play,” said Skelton. “He coaches as hard as he has them play and is very passionate about the game,” said Skelton. “He’s coming in late to the season but I watched them practice last week, and I was impressed with the talent level. I saw that they realize Bob is passionate for the game and there are no shortcuts. He’s working them very hard…I heard one say that he had never had a preseason workout as tough, but Bob stresses that they must work hard. Conditioning wins games.”
                                                              
Basketball fans in the community are also optimistic about UWF basketball.“I am confident that he will put the UWF men’s basketball program on the national map,” said Pensacola attorney Samuel Bearman, who has also known Stinnett for many years. “This year is certainly a transitional year, but I think he will begin to get the community excited about UWF basketball and I expect even better things next year.” 

From his office at the Field House this week, Stinnett said all of his experiences both on and off the court have trained him for his moment. “My whole life has come full circle,” he said.

The men will host their first regular season game against Columbus State at home on Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. The first Gulf South Conference game is Jan. 7.

For more information or to view schedules, visit GoArgos.com.

Holiday Season Means the Return of "A Christmas Carol"
By Susie Forrester, University Marketing Communications

He’s not jolly or even very friendly, in fact, he’s down right mean. But the story of Ebenezer Scrooge in  A Christmas Carol still resonates for theater-goers young and old each year during the holiday season.

The UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts and Department of Theatre will present its community-wide version of the holiday classic Dec. 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 6 and 13 at 2:30 p.m. in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre, Building 82. Tickets cost $16 per person for the general public, $12 per person for senior citizens and active military, $10 per person for UWF faculty and staff and non-UWF students and free for UWF students with a valid Nautilus Card.

This is the third consecutive year the Theatre Department has presented A Christmas Carol. In the original Charles Dickens’s story first published in 1843, four scary ghosts teach miser Scrooge unforgettable lessons about kindness and compassion on one tumultuous Christmas Eve night long ago.

Scrooge’s story is very familiar with audiences, said director Kevin Kern, associated professor of Theatre. He adapted the novel for stage for the Golden Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles several years ago and UWF is using his adaptation.

“In our adaptation, we’ve added a lot of music and fun tricks with the ghosts to keep it fresh for our audience,” said Kern. “Everyone has a favorite version that they’ve seen and know well, plus the ending isn’t a surprise to anyone, except possibly the very young.”

While some stage and film versions are scary and some are sentimental, Kern’s favorite is The Muppet Christmas Carol with Michael Caine as Scrooge and Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit.  A new animated film version starring Jim Carrey just opened in theaters.

A Christmas Carol is a great way to introduce children to live theater, he said. “It’s very visual, it relies heavily on music and singing, and the story is compelling and timeless.” He believes theater can open the doors to a lifetime of knowing and appreciating art and culture.

Don Goodrum, an actor from Fort Walton Beach who has several professional credits on his resume, will appear as Scrooge. “This is Don’s second year, and he was determined not to just repeat the role, but continue to find more nuances and subtleties in his character; that’s the mark of a true professional,” said Kern. “Don understands comedy well, and even though Scrooge is a real creep, Dickens gave old Ebeneezer some very funny lines and situations; Don doesn't miss any one of them.”

For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Center for Fine and Performing Arts box office at Ext. 2405 or 6285 or visit uwf.edu/theatre.