Gun Show
September 4 – October 14
Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture

An Opening Reception with the Artist will be held on Thursday, September 7, from 5 to 7 p.m.

The Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture presents Gun Show, an exhibition of more than 100 life-size replicas of assault rifles created by artist David Hess from “rescued” objects. The exhibition is curated by Kathy O’Dell, Associate Professor of Visual Arts and Special Assistant to the Dean for Education and Arts partnerships.

David Hess started assembling life-size sculptures of assault rifles from what he calls “rescued” objects — ranging from an old black sneaker and vintage turquoise sewing machine, to a raggedy crutch and pink Barbie bike frame — decades ago, increasing his pace of production following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in 2012. While he has shown some of the works since 2015, Gun Show at UMBC is the first presentation of all 112 sculptures. Hess aims for this project to foster dialogue about one of the most volatile issues of our time – guns, who should or should not own them, whether or not to legislate them, ramifications of their use or misuse, and how issues of race, class, gender identity, and age impact every aspect of these questions.

Artist David Hess harvests contrasting forms and materials to create a collision between the man-made and natural worlds. Hess refers to these artifacts as “rescued objects,” suggesting that these materials are loaded with history and cultural narrative – making them not only worthy of salvage, but of incorporation and preservation. At Dartmouth College, Hess studied with realist wood sculptor Fumio Yoshimura, whose precision and humor had a profound impact. Concentrated studies at Dartmouth in pre-med, engineering, Japanese design and filmmaking continue to inform his current studio practice. From these he draws upon methods of observation, object making and constructing narrative in his creation of commissioned furniture, sculpture, architectural elements and public art projects.

Enroll in POLI 409: American Conservatism from Goldwater to Trump

Wednesdays, 4:30-7:30; Public Policy Building 354

Dr. Thomas Schaller

Course Overview: POLI 409 is a special topics course focusing on modern American conservatism from the Goldwater era to today. The course will examine conservatism—and, where so often applicable, its relationship with the Republican Party—as a movement: its philosophical premises, arguments and ideas; its leaders, coalitions and movements; its electoral, policy, political and media strategies, tactics and narratives; and, more generally, its successes and failures. 

                         You are invited to            

        The Department of Africana Studies 

                      Welcome Reception 

                Wednesday, September 13, 2017

                          12:00 – 1:00 PM

                 Fine Arts Conference Room 559

Come celebrate with AFST new and returning majors and minors, and our dynamic faculty and staff.

Come hear about our course offerings, the Model African Union, the 2017 W.E.B. Du Bois Lecture featuring Dr. Toyin Falola, award-winning author of over 150 books, Professor of History, the Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities and University Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Texas, Austin, and AFST faculty scholarship engagements.

There will be refreshments. RSVP is not required.

Date: Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM

Venue: Fine Arts Conference Room 559

2017-2018 Fellowship Program

The Hogan Campaign is offering fellowship opportunities to politically active students and graduates who would like the chance to take part in Maryland’s high energy 2018 election cycle.  Participants will learn and experience hands on the essential tasks of a professional political campaign.  They will have the opportunity to network within the Maryland political community and receive a letter of recommendation upon successful completion of the program.

Hours are flexible and schedules are adjustable to accommodate school, work and family obligations.

Election activities in Maryland here will be in the national spotlight in 2018.  You have the unique opportunity to take part in it, so don’t miss this opportunity to learn about politics, meet influential people, and make a difference on the Governor’s campaign. 

The ideal candidate: 

• Has a passion for making a difference in their community
• Wants to work on a winning Governor’s race
• Is a hard worker, willing to exceed goals and deadlines

Contact Cory Dennis at 443-717-1401 or cory@larryhogan.com to apply for the fellowship.