CSB/SJU CONNECTIONS Published by the Public Affoirs Office ofthe College ofSaint Benedict and Saint John 5 University April 11, 1996 SaintJohn's Potter Featured in Exhibit at The Minneapolis Institute of Arts On Oct. 13, 1995, the largest woodburning kiln in North America was fired for the first time on the SJU campus. The results of this historic event, which were created by SJU's artist-in-residence and master potter Richard Bresnahan, will be the focus of an exhibit at The Minneapolis Institute of Arts from Saturday, April 13, through Sunday, Sept. 22. "We had previously scheduled another exhibit in the gallery, but once we saw the results of the first firing and the quality of the work, we were so impressed that we decided to preempt the other show in order to make room for Richard's exhibit," said Matthew Welch, the associate curator ofAsian art at The Minneapolis Institute of Arts. The exhibit, tided "First Fire: Richard Bresnahan and New Pottery from Saint John's," will feature over 60 ceramic works of art that were among the first pieces fired in the new 1,600 square foot woodburning pottery kiln at SJu. Designed in the style of traditional Japanese wood-fired kilns, the kiln has three chambers for Bishop Kinney Visits firing different styles of pottery and it currently has a capacity for over 7,000 pieces at a single firing. CSB/SJU The process of firing the kiln takes approximately rwo weeks and the woodburning fire must Bishop John Kinney of the St. Cloud also be tended around-the-clock during the entire process. The kiln was constructed at a cost of Diocese visited CSB and SJU on Tuesday, approximately $48,000, which is considerably less than the nearly $200,000 it would have April 2. required with the use of purchased labor and materials. Much of the material used in the kiln's While on campus, Bishop Kinney had construction was salvaged from local sites, and labor costs were reduced with volunteer help. lunch with the CSB and SJU presidents and The pottery program at SJU began in 1979 following Bresnahan's return from a three-year members of the theology faculty, met with the apprenticeship in Japan. His apprenticeship was inspired by S. Johanna Becker, OSB, who residential staff on both campuses, celebrated Bresnahan named the kiln after upon its completion in 1994. Becker is a professor of art in the Euchari ~t and attended a social with student CSB/SJU art department. Bresnahan emphasizes sensitivity to the environment in his art and the leaders. Above, Bishop Kinney is pictured creation of regional styles of pottery. The SJU pottery stresses the use of indigenous materials, with members of the joint campus ministry which all come from within a 10-mile radius of the campus, including clay from an abandoned staff. fa- road bed at a nearby glacial ridge. The exhibit will include several lectures and workshops at The Minneapolis Institute ofArts Spring Art Sale through September. The first event is a showing of the KTCA Television documentary film "The The Sisters of the Order ofSaint Benedict Firing" at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, in the Institute's Pillsbury Auditorium. Bresnahan are sponsoring a spring art sale in St. Joseph will be joined in a discussion following the film by Welch and John Whitehead, producer of the on April 18, 19 and 20. This sale fea tures the film. works ofS. Dennis Frandrup, OSB, potter; S. Other upcoming events include Bresnahan's lecture "Art and Nature: A Potter's View" at Ruth Nierengarten, OSB, sketch artist; and S. 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 2, and a lecture by Becker tided "Eruptions from the Earth: Japanese Margaret Van Kempen, OSB, weaver, marbler Ceramic Inspirations for a Minnesota Potter" at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8. and photographer. Bresnahan will also hold the workshop "Utilitarianism and the Creative Potter" at 10:30 a.m. The sale, formerly held in St. Joseph and 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 22. A highlight of the exhibit will be the workshop "Tea Shop, will take place at Whitby Gift Shop, Ceremony: Two American Perspectives" at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 20, and Saturday, Aug. located in the yellow, brick house next to St. 17. In this unique workshop, Bresnahan and tea master Patricia Katagiri will discuss the Joseph Lab School on Minnesota St. American tea ceremony. He will demonstrate the production of a variety of tea wares, and On April 18 and 19 the sale will be held Katagiri will prepare tea for the class using Bresnahan's pottery. from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. On April 20 it The Minneapolis Institute of Arts in located at 2400 3rd Ave. S. in Minneapolis, and will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. fa- admission to the museum is free. For more information about the exhibit hours, lectures and workshops, call 612-870-3131. fa- CONNECTIONS APRIL 11, 1996- Page 1 CSB/SjU Theater Ohlhauser and Vinje Named as 1995-96CSB/SjU Department to Present Student Employees of the Year The Witlings Terra Ohlhauser has been named CSB Student Employee of the Year, and John Vinje III has been named The CSB/SJU theater department is proud SJU Employee of the Year for 1995-96. to present the world premiere of the 18th Ohlhauser, a senior management/music major from century comedy The Witlings by Frances Sauk Rapids, has been employed by the Financial Aid Office Burney on Friday, April 19, at the BAC for the past four years as an office/loan assistant. She is Forum Theater at CSB at 8 p.m. The produc­ responsible for Federal Perkins Loan reports, loan delinquent tion is part of the Women and Work Confer­ letters, bad loan addresses, loans paid in full, and loan exit ence and will also be presented on April 20, interview packets and letters. She also assists with student 21, 24, 25, 26 and 27 at the BAC at 8 p.m. payroll, special projects and has receptionist duties. She Burney is famous for her classic works participates as a partners trainer in the Partners Training such as Evelina, or, The History of a Young Program, a general training session for all first-time student Lady's Entrance into the World and The Wan­ workers. derer: or Female Difficulties. The Witlingswas ''There are so very many qualities that Terra holds that never performed because Burney's father sup­ make her exceptional. She is reliable (to the nth degree), she is a team worker, she is very pressed it from his intellectual friends whom conscientious, she has a great attitude about life, she works quickly and accurately and has he felt would be initiative that overflows," said Barb Fahnhorst, CSB associate insulted and ap­ direcror of financial aid. palled. Burney John Vinje III, a resident of Sartell, has been chosen for mocks her fa­ this honor for his work as a student manager in SJU's thers pseudo-in­ Duplicating Center. tellectual friends Vinje's responsibilities for the past three academic years throughout the have included scheduling and training of other student play and refers employees, meeting the duplicating needs of the university, to them as maintaining maintenance logs on the department's equip­ witlings. The ment, entering and balancing of billing information and original manu­ taking monthly inventories. script is housed A senior, Vinje is an economics major at SJU. "John has in the New York taken on the initiative of keeping this office running very City Library. smoothly this year," said Mary Gouge, Duplicating Center Typical ofthe comedies of this era, this play coordinator. "His dedication and support have maintained contains a pair of young lovers who may be the quality of service this office has worked hard to gain. "Throughout the year, I have received cruelly separated by a pompous mercenary many positive comments on how well the Duplicating Center operates and how friendly and Aunt. There are tears and recriminations and helpful the staff members are. I can only attribute this to the great training and overall team effort otherwise passionate scenes ofupper-class emo­ that John has helped establish in this office." tional young love before the happy ending. Ohlhauser and Vinje will now represent CSB and SJU on the ballot for the Minnesota Kaarin Johnston, chair of the CSB/SJU Student Employee of the Year. In 1993, SJU student Bruce Boelter gained Minnesota Student theater department and director of The of the Year honors. Witlings, saw a reading from the play at the The CSB and SJU Student Employment Offices wish to recognize the accomplishments of annual national Women in Theater Confer­ the exceptional student employees nominated, and thank them for the work they do for CSBI ence. Once she learned the play had never SJU and in the CSB/SJU community service program. fa, been produced, she decided CSB/SJU would be the best place for the world premiere. SjU Gallery Series to Open 1\vo New Exhibits Johnston stated, "CSB/SJU staffand students Minnesota artists Jonathan Whitney and Mary Walker will exhibi t a collection of their works have been working hard to make the world through Friday, April 26, in the SJU Center. A resident of Minneapolis, Walker's exhibit premiere fantastic." "Annoted Object" will be on display in the Alice R. Rogers Gallery of the Arts Center. The Before every performance at 7 p.m. in the exhibit will feature a collection of mixed media works by Walker of painted wood, aluminum BAC Recital Hall, Johnston and Thomas and steel.