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Volume 41, Issue 2
September 16, 2003
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September 16, 2003
Student’s artwork to be shown in ballroom
of Scottsdale resort
Derek
Meurer
Mesa Legend
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| Dennis Mikulich
Mesa Legend |
| Catherine Hammonds’ colorful
paintings will adorn the walls of a resort and spa in Scottsdale.
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An MCC student was recently commissioned to provide two paintings for
the debut of a ballroom at a Scottsdale resort. The student, Catherine
Hammond, will debut her latest artistic creation at the opening of the
Herberger Ballroom at the Westin Keirland Resort and Spa.
Hammond, a published author of poems and fiction who began writing nearly
25 years ago, has gone on to establish herself as an artist as well.
“I had writer’s block and decided to try visual arts,”
said Hammond. “I think I’ve found my calling.”
A representative from the Westin Resort discovered her work on Artregister.com
and quickly determined that Hammond’s work was just what the resort
was looking for. The two paintings chosen to adorn the walls of the ballroom
are each 4 feet by 4 feet, done in acrylic paints on canvas.
Darlene Swaim, instructor of Advanced Painting and Printmaking at MCC,
was thrilled upon hearing of her student’s success.
Swaim said, “Hammond was a dream student, not afraid to try new
things.” Hammond’s background as a writer has also affected
the way in which she expresses her art. “Catherine Hammond is a
fabulous abstract artist, and her literary background gives her a unique
way of describing art. Each painting is a story to her,” Swaim added
Hammond’s success story as a painter is not the first to come from
MCC’s art department. “Many of my students have received fabulous
scholarships,” said Swaim. Shaun Henderson received a $32,700 scholarship
from the Chicago Art Institute, and many others have received similarly
large endowments. “I think it’s wonderful how the success
of one student can inspire everyone else to try their best.”
In addition to her students’ achievements, Swaim herself has received
attention for her art recently. She was one of seven artists invited to
the “Prominent Mesa Artists” event, and the only one within
the district to be requested for the invitation-only event. The event,
which was sponsored by Mesa Bank and the city of Mesa, took place Sept.
6.
“It was such an honor to be invited along with so many prestigious
local artists,” said Swaim. “It felt like being invited to
the prom.”
Includes information from Kelly Clare.
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