Posted on Sep 15, 2009

This fall Union welcomes two new and thought-provoking exhibits to the Nott Memorial. “North by Northeast: Baskets and Beadwork from the Akwesasne Mohawk and Tuscarora,” opens Friday, Sept. 25, followed by “Reimagining the Distaff Toolkit” on Thursday, Oct. 1.

“North by Northeast,” which runs through Saturday, Oct. 24, offers a unique glimpse into the traditional arts of New York’s Akwesasne Mohawk and Tuscarora tribes through exquisite woven baskets and beadwork.

The selected pieces in “North by Northeast” were chosen from a larger traveling exhibition curated by Kathleen Mundell, folklorist and director of Cultural Resources, a nonprofit organization that helps communities sustain local culture. An opening reception will be held Friday, Oct. 2 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Nott Memorial, in conjunction with the opening reception for the second show, “Reimagining the Distaff Toolkit.”

“Reimagining” is a traveling exhibit curated by Rickie Solinger, an independent curator and historian from New Paltz, N.Y. The show, which runs through Sunday, Dec. 20, features 36 works by 28 contemporary artists. Each work has, as its visible core, a tool that was important for women’s domestic labor in the past. Many of the incorporated tools – a washboard, a dressmaker’s figure, cooking pans, rug-beaters, mason jars – facilitated very hard and repetitive labor. They evoke various histories – European American, African – American, Asian American – of women’s unpaid and often diminished and disrespected status within the household and society.

The show’s title aptly includes the distaff, a tool attached to a spinning wheel that’s designed to hold un-spun fibers. Over time, the word came to refer to matters and objects in the domestic or women’s sphere, and then, to women in general.

Solinger will give a lecture in conjunction with “Reimagining the Distaff” on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 4 p.m. in Reamer Campus Center Auditorium. The talk is entitled “Becoming a Curator: Seeing Race, Class, Gender and History in Objects and Images.”

Both exhibits and all related events are free and open to the public. For additional information on either show, click here or call 388-6729.

Posted on Sep 15, 2009

More than 1,500 alumni, family and friends returned to campus in late May to celebrate the College’s signature alumni event. From a host of Friday evening events to the Saturday evening fireworks, ReUnion 2009 delivered an entertaining and interesting ride down memory lane.

Click here to read a PDF version of the ReUnion 2009 story.

Posted on Sep 15, 2009

Families and friends cheered as some 500 students received their diplomas on the walkway in front of Schaffer Library during the College’s 215th Commencement ceremony in mid-June. Under a bright blue Sunday morning sky, the ceremony’s featured speaker and honorees spoke about topics ranging from the recent economic downturn to the bright possibilities for the future.

Click here to read a PDF version of the story about the 2009 Commencement.

Posted on Sep 15, 2009

Union’s first Minerva Fellows returned to campus last spring after nine months abroad serving the poor in several developing countries. The eight fellows from the Class of 2008 encountered bleak poverty but found inspiration in the resiliency of the human spirit.

Click here to read a PDF version of the features story "Minerva Fellows make a difference."

Posted on Sep 14, 2009

From the big screen to the small screen, Union alumni have made their mark on Hollywood. Featured here are alumni in a range of show business professions, from producers to actors to writers on projects ranging from Rocky to Family Guy.

Click here to view a PDF version of the cover feature "Union goes to Hollywood."