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THE TARTAN THE SCENE Oct. 5, 2011 Jewelry-sculpting alumnus shares Burned leaves much to be desired work with campus K L
EYLA ENSCH

klensch2@radford.edu

CALVIN JAMES PYNN

cpynn@radford.edu
For Radford University students, it is a welcoming and encouraging sight to be able to witness the success and continued work from a former alumnus. In fact, that seems to be just the case right now in Gallery 205 of Portereld Halls Art Department, and all are invited to witness the splendor. Christina Lemon, an assistant professor at Georgia Southern University and an RU graduate from the class of 1990, has her work displayed in the small gallery, showcasing an exhaustive reection of her lifelong passions. Lemon is both a jeweler and metalworker, and during the exhibits month long run, a great deal of RU students have the chance to witness her handiwork. While jewelry is a unique art form within itself, Lemon manages to use her creations to explain a deeper meaning. My work spans the spectrum from marketable production jewelry designs to one of a kind art jewelry that is both wearable and sculptural, said Lemon. As an artist, her work is guided by several themes, such as The Reections Series, designed using formal elements. Other themes include the Solitude Series and Fertility Series, which deal with regeneration and renewal of life, using botanical forms as reference. As her jewelry delves deeper than the stereotypical supercial associations paired with the art form, Lemon uses her time and talent to spread awareness about the issues she personally cares about, namely animal rights. One example of that effort, which can be seen in the exhibit, is Lemons Discard Dog series. The Discard Dog series contains Lemons designs in sterling silver, gold, and vitreous enamel. The series is a representation of her interest and investigation of companion animals that enter animal shelters in the United States every year. With the creation of the Discard Dog series, Lemon hopes to spread awareness of animal rights, and to help provide the best care and shelter management possible. Lemon currently serves as the President of the Humane Society of Statesboro and Bulloch County, an organization for which she has volunteered for 11 years. As the Discard Dog series serves to direct attention to the needs of homeless animals, it was a chance for Lemon to merge her two passions into her artwork. According to Lemon, The [Discard Dog] series is designed to make a social statement and to be wearable at the same time. Also included in the exhibit is the Starre Series, which Lemon began after working on the 12th presidential medallion for Georgia Southern University President Dr. Brooks Keel. In consistency with Lemons passion for animals, the series was named after her horse, Starre, as well as the stamped pattern on the jewelry. The designs began with turquoise stones purchased by Lemon about

CALVIN JAMES PYNN | The Tartan

One of the pieces in Lemons Discard Dog series.

15-20 years ago. She estimates that some of them may have also been acquired during her time as student at RU. Lemon decided to continue the limited edition series for those who might like the turquoise and silver combination. In addition to her commitments as a professor, jeweler, metalworker, and animal rights activist, Lemon also serves on the Piedmont Craftsmen Jewelry Panel, whose purpose is to review artwork and determine membership and exhibition opportunities based on design, skill and innovation. While her work has been featured in exhibitions and various publications, this is the rst time Lemons jewelry has been displayed at RU. As an educator and working artist, Lemons work is made with the intention to inspire others, both in her efforts to promote animal rights, and to generally educate other potential jewelers. I would like students to become more familiar with contemporary small metal and jewelry work by being exposed to exhibitions like this one, said Lemon. Most students are familiar with the mass marketed, disposable, and inexpensively made jewelry forms found in retail stores across the country. Lemon also hopes to spread appreciation for handmade jewelry forms, the enhanced beauty of metals with natural stones, and inspire those who view her work to be more educated and discerning when it comes to appreciating jewelry that is both for sale and made as a beautiful work of art. Christina Lemons jewelry has been on display since Sept. 5, and will continue to be open until Oct. 14. The entire RU community faculty, students, and fellow artists alike, are encouraged to witness Lemons work. It is the result of an artist who displays a deep passion for her craft, as well as the higher purpose that it serves.

Burned by Ellen Hopkins is Pattyn Scarlet Von Strattens story. Shes raised in a large, deeply religious Mormon family that doesnt like it when Pattyn starts to rise against the rules and values of the household. They send her away to her aunts house in hopes of whipping her back into shape before her brother is born. However, Pattyn learns and experiences things her parents and priest would never have approved of. Pattyn has an ultimately devastating experience at the end of the book which truly changes her, and how you see her as a person. The build up was extremely slow, especially in comparison to her other books. The real excitement of the story isnt even until the end of book. Although, there were a few good aspects about this book. One being that, even though the story is fiction, much of it is true. For example, it talks about the downwinders who were down wind from nuclear testing sites in Nevada while they tested the atomic bombs to be dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Pattyns character was a rebel. She was not afraid to go against her parents, even though her dad is a raging alcoholic and extremely abusive to her mom, sister and herself. Lastly, the ending was very unexpected. The tragedy of it was no surprise,

but Pattyns reaction to it, however, was very surprising and particularly sad. Many things about this book were less than satisfying. For example, the extremely slow buildup. The story itself is very cute but awaiting the climax was dreadful. Waiting for something truly exciting or interesting to happen was futile. Overall, the book was way too predictable. She fell in love, she lost her virginity, she had to go home, she and her boyfriend struggled being so far apart, etc. Simply put, its your typical tragic love story with a quick twist at the end. This book deserves two and a half stars out of five. The book was thick and enetertaining, but formatted as a poem, it didnt amaze me. Hopkins is generally a very good writer and her stories are very intriguing. This story was just more tamed than her typical books are, and it didnt necessarily make for a good book; of seeing, an interesting story but not a good book.

amazon.com

Burned has garnered both praise and controversy.

MUSICAL: Festival serenaded

with authenticity
amount of air into those bagpipes while playing accurately. Take the great music of our common ground, Appalachian bluegrass and commentalists. Tim Summers, Michelle Lawrence-Walker bine it with traditional Celtic music. Youre and Mary Beth Coffey take traditional Celtic wondering, who in the world would do such tunes and play them live for you; no gim- a thing? Celtibillies would, and theyre darn micks, no modern twists, just well played, good at it too. The band has been together beautiful Celtic tunes. Celtic music doesnt since 1994 and hasnt changed a thing. The Celtibillies style is similar to Beggars mean strictly Irish music. Beggars Circus has learned a wealth of traditional music Circus in manner of instrumentation, but from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Galacia and they put their own spin on Celtic music, much like the Dropkick Murphys do to Punk many more countries. Each song features a different instrument and Scottish music. The endearing thing is from each of the three members including the Appalachian inuence you absolutely a bodhran, bouzouki, pennywhistle, ham- cannot ignore in their music, which makes it even more relatable mered dulcimer, than the band itself. ddle, bagpipes, and The charm in that doesnt encircle Rocky Road to the usual instruDublin seeps out ments such as guiof the guitar and the tar, ute, etc. Currolling bass; you just rently the band has cant get around the three CDs, received multi-voiced choairplay on radio starus and sea-chanty tions in Virginia, feel it has. The aim Washington D.C. of their music is and North Carolina. to completely enIts unfortunate rapture you in that that this band hasnt familiar country been seen more ofsound while simulten around Radford taneously throwing because due to their you a curve ball and extensive knowledge shoving you off to of a massive amount Ireland. of Celtic songs, they The band was can literally play initially formed for hours. When as a contra dance; you get the chance, meaning their mugo see them; their sic typically accomshows make you feel panies folk dancing. at home with the The audience was COURTNEY EARLL | The Tartan Celticss. Two of the groups A clogger leaps as she dances to the music fortunately able to see the Celtibillies perin the line-up are tra- at the Highlander Festival. form with a dancer ditional in possibly the truest sense of the word,those being the to go with the music, and that was just the Virginia Highland Pipes and Drums, and cherry on top. Scythian was last to play for the evening, Warpipe. These two groups are honestly what the and it was no surprise to see them closing out Highlander Festival is about. When people Highlander Festival. Scythian probably has think Highlander Festival, they think of bag- the most acclaim out of the bands to play the pipes, funnel cakes, and tons of kilts. The Highlander Festival, and theres good reason Virginia Highland Pipes and Drums bring a for it: theyre the most accessible and they bit of history and tradition with them every are a good, old-fashioned rock band (with a time they perform at the Highlander Festival. Celtic twist of course). Scythian is very similar to the Dropkick They are the main event for the day because watching them is such a spectacle on its own; Murphys, but that description would underthe timed marching and classic renditions of play their talent. Scythians songs have a diAmazing Grace and Scotland the Brave verse range of inuences and sounds, which denitely capture audiences. They took cen- makes it easy for you to fall in love with them. Their songs may not be the most traditionter stage in the large blocked-off part of Moffett Quad and everyone was absolutely silent, al or folk-like, but they live up to the hype their Facebook creates for them. The multiwaiting for their next move. While the Virginia Highland Pipes and instrumentation was a highlight of their set Drums are certainly important, there is also because they mixed up from traditional guiWarpipe, the other bagpipe band that was tar-bass-vocals-drums, adding subtle tones there. Warpipe is everything VHPD is, but and tweaks to songs that would otherwise they add a modern twist to the traditional be boring. Scythian played wonderfully, and tunes. Both bands were stunning in both deserved to close out Highlander Festival. Be presentation and musical ability. Most peo- on the lookout for them - the tickets will deple couldnt march and blow an unearthly nitely be worth it.

From page 4

Courtesy of CHRISTINA LEMON

Christina Lemon shapes metal at her studio in Georgia.

CULTURE: Highlander Festival brings rich variety of vendors

From page 4
sional decorative weaponry. Massive dogs milled through the respectably large crowd and, in a tiny paddock, a pair of woolen Highland Cattle, courtesy of Le Chayim Farm, grazed. While occasionally reminiscent of a Renaissance fair, what with the garish costumes and epic cases of facial hair, the festival managed to avoid feeling tacky. How this was accomplished is beyond me; perhaps it is partially the result of the conveniently themed weather that spat icily on the crowd in a bracingly damp Celtic manner. At one point, the leaky clouds turned to a zipping glittering shower forcing the bundled public to herd themselves towards the exits, causing the band at the time to quip, Wheres everybody going?! Perhaps under the bright warmth of a clear day the affair would have seemed more ridiculous but the icy demeanor of nature granted respectability to the Scottish culture displayed, not to mention envy at their comfortably warm ceremonial costumes. Despite a predominance of outside vendors and organizations the RU faculty and student body made their proper appearances, the Jewelry Guild sold its wares and Dr. Richard Bay of the Art Department lent his usual charm to entertaining visiting children in a crafts booth. In addition a running series of cultural demonstrations that served as useful diversions, a shepherd displayed a sheep herding technique with a pair of startlingly intelligent sheepdog commanded by a series of whistles and verbal commands. Sporadic bursts of cheers sprung from a gathered crowd viewing stocky men chucking logs. A young boy in theatrical costume looked vaguely bored snapping a braided whip while a sign nearby promised child-onchild combat at 12, 1, and 3 p.m. The traditional food was in full swing as well, oddly more affordable than the decidedly more local fare. Scottish Cottage offered heaping plates of barbecued meat for ve dollars, both delicious and wildly dangerous to my health. Another Scottish cuisine booth knowingly drew curious tourists close by offering free samples of infamous haggis, tasting like a thick stew-like chili. House of Douglas Bakery offered the Empire Shortbread Biscuit, two cookie-like biscuits cemented with strawberry paste, crumbly and creamily sweet. While bracing and exciting, the weather was cruel to those assembled that had only just days ago worn shorts and low slung tank tops in the August sun. Despite this the crowd seemed engaged and entertained, willing to risk the threat of an Arctic downpour to enjoy fried sugar, wailing bagpipes, and the company of each other.