Tom Wagener prepares a frame for an upcoming art exhibition. ?2013 Zhen Wei Yap
By Zhen Wei Yap
Tom Wagener still remembers the time his parents took him to the Art Institute of Chicago. He was in his seventh grade. It was his first recollection of appreciating art. Looking around the Andrew Wyeth exhibit, he was bored. Nevertheless, there were a few pieces that caught his eye.
?Most seventh graders, if you take them to the art museum they?ll be looking for the gift shop and the cafeteria, I was no different; but there was something about Andrew Wyeth.? Wagener said.
It was years though before Wagener?s art appreciation really developed. He did visit different art galleries through the years, but nothing clicked. It wasn?t until he started working at the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire that he began looking at art differently.
Wagener started in 1994 as a woodshop worker before he was appointed as the Foster Art Gallery Director in the summer of 1997. Now he is a dual-role employee, working full time as a woodshop supervisor on top of being the gallery director.
Ever since Wagener started working with the university, he slowly developed a stronger affection toward the arts. He said by working in close proximity to the arts, prompted his inner artist to emerge. Day after day, looking at art trained Wagener to have an eye for visual aestheticism. Wagener enjoyed looking at art pieces that trigger different emotions.
Wagener considers himself a realist. He is especially fond of realism art because of his hands-on personality. Wagener says he prefers art that is concrete and tangible.
?I particularly like realism,? Wagener said. ?I?m a person that is grounded in reality and not a real philosophical thinker. I like to see something and think, ?Oh that?s what.??
Wagener is particularly interested in the rugged beauty of nature. Because he lives 30 minutes away from work, he has the chance to drive past the countryside every day. Wagener says he takes the time to enjoy the beauty of realism present in the landscape.
?Beauty in itself, real world suddenly comes to life,? Wagener said.
Wagener works closely with the faculty and the students of the Fine Arts department. Being the woodshop supervisor, Wagener seems to be the answer to a lot of the students? prayers when it comes to preparing their work for public display.
Melanie Ripley, a senior graphic design major said Wagener dedicated a lot of his time helping the students putting up frames, polishing glasses as well as giving advice on ways to improve visual attractiveness of artworks. Wagener?s expertise in putting together a show is well-known.
?He?s really knowledgeable about how to put a show together and how to showcase work in its the best way,? Ripley said.
In his role of art gallery director, Wagener has the responsibility to piece shows together. He organizes everything from the negotiations with artists to the placement of the works. Wagener is the man who makes the aesthetic decisions concerning the display of the shows.
Dalan Hartmann, an art education major recalled an incident when Wagener saved her painting. The frames of her painting were crooked and were nailed sloppily. Before she knew it, he fixed the problem and it was ready to be displayed.
?If you ever need anything done and you?re not sure which professor to ask, Tom is the one you go to. He?s like the ?save all, catch all?,? Hartmann said.
Jason Lanka, the assistant professor in sculpture said that Wagener?s contribution often went by unnoticed. Being a man tasked with so many levels of responsibilities, he had to make sure everything is in good shape before the exhibition is open to the public.
?What I think an average person doesn?t realize is that, the amount of work to put together a show,? Lanka said. ?Just to get it prep, to get it ready, get it hung, do all the promotional materials, it takes a lot of time.?
Wagener is not a person who is all about work and no fun. He enjoys various outdoor activities. From skiing, canoeing, kayaking to snowshoeing, Wagener appreciates the wonders that nature can offer. If he were to choose an alternative career, he would be doing something that involves the outdoors.
?My wife is an office worker. She sits in a cubicle all day long and goes through paperwork. I?ll slash my wrists if I?ve had to do that every day,? Wagener said.
All in all, Tom Wagener is a contented person. He gets the exhibit prepared. He gets the artworks delivered. He gets things done. He might not get the credit he deserves but he goes about completing his duties without much complaints.
Wagener have no regrets getting into this job. He enjoys helping students realizing their dreams of being an artist.
?For me it?s about getting the students to know what it takes to get into a show, and hopefully, have a goal of someday becoming an artist, getting their arts on display.?
Did you like this? Share it:
notorious big biggie smalls lyrics azores emmylou harris disco inferno b.i.g 1000 words
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.