- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Stewart Gains Valuable Experience Through Internship with Johnny Cash Sculptor Kevin Kresse

John Hill — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 13:19:42 +0000

Nicole Stewart, a junior studio art major at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, had a rare opportunity to work on a public sculpture that will be placed in the U.S. Capitol Building after interning with Johnny Cash sculptor Kevin Kresse this summer. The National Statuary Hall Steering Committee selected Kresse, a ��Vlog��ý Little Rock alumnus and skilled artist, in June 2021 to create an eight-foot-tall bronze statue of the country music star as one of two new statues that will represent Arkansas in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. Idaho artist Benjamin Victor is creating the second statue of Daisy Bates, a civil rights leader and journalist. As part of her internship, Stewart has worked on the Cash sculpture throughout the summer and has learned all the “tips and tricks” that go into creating a sculpture. Stewart equates interning with Kresse to “learning karate from Mr. Miyagi.” While already a fan of Cash, Stewart said she’s learned a lot more about the musician’s activism and good works during her internship. “We’ve talked a lot about his activism and his work with prisoners,” Stewart said. “I like working on something that talks about Johnny Cash, his message, and what he stood for. It’s pretty amazing to be a part of documenting someone so important in history that is being immortalized in the nation’s capital. It’s a great honor to work with Kevin on that.” Stewart met Kresse while working on the 7th Street Mural Project together in downtown Little Rock. Stewart later told Michael Warrick, a professor emeritus of art at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, that she would like to intern with Kresse. Warrick, who is a longtime friend and sculptor partner with Kresse, was happy to connect the two. “Nicole is the third intern I’ve had from sculpture majors that’s worked with him over the years,” Warrick said. “It’s a great opportunity to have a young artist work with a senior artist to gain knowledge and skills and perspective. Nicole is one of the best. She was my studio assistant this summer for the two artWAYS workshops I did. Her energy, her aptitude, and her skill set is out of the box and through the roof.” Kresse identified Stewart as a “dynamo” who has stepped up to help him complete the Cash project this summer. “When I was having a rough week, Nicole was jumping in, and I realized what a great eye she has,” Kresse said. “I told my wife that I can tell more at this age which young artists will make it through their personality if they have the grit and determination to do it, rather than seeing their portfolio. She has the work ethic and the eye and the grit to become a great artist.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock alum Kevin Kresse, right, and assistant Nicole Stewart, left, work on a clay model of Arkansas music legend Johnny Cash at the Windgate Center of Art + Design from which a bronze statue will be cast. Photo by Ben Krain.

When Stewart joined ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2018, she saw it as a second chance to complete her college education. After graduating from high school in 1999, Stewart attended community college for a short time before beginning a career in event planning and catering. “At first, it was intimidating to come back to college,” Stewart said. “A lot has changed since 1999. I’ve been really fortunate to have all these incredible mentors. It’s been really inspiring for me. Even though I am in my 40s, I’m so happy I came back. I’ve had great experiences at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Plus, I came back right when they opened this new art building. I came back at the perfect time to pursue art.” Stewart will graduate from ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in studio art focusing on sculpture and a minor in applied design focusing on ceramics. While she had previously given art up for 15 years before going back to college, Stewart is more dedicated than ever to having art in her life, participating in everything from sculpting and painting to insect taxidermy and bone carving. “Art is a buffet, and I want to take a bite out of all of it,” she said.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock artists contribute to message of peace with work on 7th Street Peace Murals

John Hill — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 20:56:19 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock student and alum are among the artists who are creating beautiful works of art to bring images of peace to life along 7th Street in Little Rock. Nicole Stewart, a junior studio art major, and Talia Winkler, a 2019 ��Vlog��ý Little Rock graduate, are among the artists who are working on this year’s 7th Street Peace Murals. In 2015, the 7th Street Peace Murals were started to commemorate Arkansas Peace Week. Every year, local artists gather during Arkansas Peace Week to collaborate on the murals to send a message of inclusion and peace to the Little Rock community. Arkansas Peace Week coincides with the United Nations Day of Peace, which is celebrated during the third week of September. “Artists work better together is a group where they can intermingle, come up with new ideas, and create new projects,” Stewart said. “The 7th Street Peace Murals really does that for artists, musicians, and poets of all kinds. There is a community that is being created by us being there and painting and fighting against the evil that is going on in the world. This shines a lot on how much we need art programs in the world right now.” Although Peace Week ended Sept. 27, Stewart, Winkler, and other artists are still hard at work completing the murals they started. Winkler created a mural of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman who was killed in March by police who were executing a search warrant in her Louisville, Kentucky, apartment. Winkler is also working on a mural featuring Elijah McClain, a 23-year old Black man who died in Aurora, Colorado, last year after being stopped by the police. Meanwhile, Stewart completed murals of T.C. Edwards, a Little Rock musician who was shot and killed in 2014 and whose death remains unsolved, and former 9th Street, Little Rock’s black business district.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock alum Talia Winkler, center, and Nicole Stewart, right, an art student, are contributing their artistic talent to paintings on the 7th Street Peace Mural in Little Rock. Photo by Ben Krain.

“I saw the documentary ‘Dreamland’ at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, and I didn’t realize how much history and culture were a part of this Black business district that was wiped away,” Stewart said. “I thought it was important to document that part of our city’s history.” She used black and white photographs of the former 9th Street corridor to try to paint as many businesses as possible. Stewart said she was visited by many former residents of 9th Street, who enjoyed the experience of reliving past memories. “As I was painting, people would stop and tell me their memories of growing up in that neighborhood, going to church, listening to music, and eating in restaurants,” Steward said. “A lot of people gave me new information to represent places that I didn’t know existed. They knew because they lived it. Phyllis Brown, who is the sister of one of the Little Rock Nine, even told me a couple of stories about some of the places.” The peace murals provide a way for the community to connect with the artists. People often honk their horns, wave, or come up to talk to the artists while they are working, but not everyone is supportive of the artistic movement. Some of the artwork on this year’s murals have been vandalized, though not Stewart or Winkler’s art. They say that the community and fellow artists have stepped up to restore the art. “There are people who will let us know that they disagree with what we’re doing,” Stewart said. “The content of our art is stirring emotions. No matter how much vandalism happens, we are always going to be back the next day painting over it and making the murals bigger and better.” Winkler said the artists strive to answer hate with messages of love and inclusivity. “We try to keep a positive, optimistic message,” Winkler said. “We don’t want to give these people the power to spread the hate and vitriol in their hearts. You can’t answer hate with hate.” The next chance for the public to interact with the artists working on the 7th Street Peace Murals is Nov. 1, when they will hold a Day of the Dead Market.

- University News Archive - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

Stewart Gains Valuable Experience Through Internship with Johnny Cash Sculptor Kevin Kresse

����Vlog��ý Little Rock artists contribute to message of peace with work on 7th Street Peace Murals

- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

��Vlog��ý Little Rock artists contribute to message of peace with work on 7th Street Peace Murals