SRU Fine Arts Major Talks Future

Common misconceptions for fine art majors include many different things. Some of these include; they sit around and draw all day or they get to take it easy and play with clay throughout the day. While fine art majors do spend their time drawing, creating ceramics and sculpting it really is a lot more complex than many think. Trevor King, 22, is a senior fine arts major at Slippery Rock University, and provides people not familiar with the major a description of what is entailed.




King began his career at Slippery Rock University as a parks and recreation major, after one day he made the change and went after his ambitions of becoming an art student. From that moment on King has been putting himself to the test not only in the classroom, but also pushing himself to succeed outside of the classroom.


According to King, SRU's fine art major has some differences from other schools. SRU's major doesn't really have an emphasis like other schools, students are able to get a well rounded approach to the arts. It is up to the student to make the time to emphasize a particular medium.

From Trevor King

This "glowing" Big Mac features King's capability to work with different mediums.

From Trevor King

These were featured at the Renegade Art Show on SRU's campus Thursday evening.

King has evolved from SRU's interpretation of the fine arts, and has came up with a style of his own. His style takes the foundations of traditional art and combines it with non-traditional ideas of his own. "It is traditional in form, but not in function," King said.

From Trevor King

This picture provides an example of how King uses traditional foundations to create non-traditional pieces. By mixing chemistry with ceramics he was able to create a realistic looking log.

The fine arts major requires a large amount of time outside of the classroom from the student. King said that typically he will go to class, then go to work, have another class and then spend his evenings in the studio working on creating different pieces. To be successful in the major it requires a lot of self discipline and time.



King's fellow classmate and graduate of the class of Fall 2009, Jackie Cypher, 23, speaks fondly of his work. She sees real potential in him and has taken notice of his motivation. Cypher also can see how King works well with different mediums.



So, now it comes down to what do you do with a degree in the fine arts? What kind of profession do you have, besides being a professional artist and selling your work? King hopes to one day be a professor. Since, there is no doctorate in the fine arts, to become a professor you just need a masters. King hopes to attend graduate school next year.



Along with becoming a professor, King hopes to one day work at an art residency. At these residencies you are given housing, money for food and a studio to work on your art in. King has shown interest to one in Montana called Archie Bray, which is dedicated to enrichment of the ceramic arts.



All in all, speaking with King changed my perspective on fine art majors. He reinforced that it's a serious major and not all fun and games, and just like many other majors requires hard work, dedication and time to really advance.

Slippery Rock Election Poses Large Divide Between Residents

Attention all Slippery Rock University students, Tuesday, November 2, 2010 was Election Day. It seems as though many of the students may have known, but chose not to express their right to vote and instead stayed away from the polling places. Even when the Student Government Association had an attempt to make it easier for students to get to the polling places with the, Election Express.

The bus was helpful to students who do not have transportation while on campus. However, many who decided to head out to the polls chose their own form of transportation.

One of the biggest issues posed in this election locally, was the proposed Government Study Commission that a select number of the borough wished to bring to Slippery Rock. The government study would be a group of officials voted on by the residents of the town to assess the services and finances of the governments of the Slippery Rock Borough and Township. Signs such as the ones pictured below were used to raise awareness of the different standpoints on the issue.

Members who stand behind the study, believe that it will be beneficial for the township. The study which will look at a proposed merger between the township and the borough. This will allow borough law enforcement to patrol the township as well. The study could also reveal that nothing should be changed with the borough or township. Charles Brochetti, a borough resident, explains why voters should vote "yes" for the government study.

The opposing standpoint asks voters to vote "no" for the Government Study Commission. They believe there will be no benefit for the township. Property tax rates would rise not only in the township, but also in the borough. Students residing in apartments throughout Slippery Rock would see increases in rent. John Hines, township resident, explains the consequences of a government study commission.

 Poling places for Slippery Rock Residents were located at the Slippery Rock Township building and the Slippery Rock Park. Polling locations opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday morning and closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday night.

View Slippery Rock Polling Places in a larger map