2014: Distinguished Alumni Award to Steve Mueller at the Herron School of Art + Design

 

The Herron Alumni Association honored Steve Mueller (B.F.A. ‘76 with High Distinction) as 2014 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award. The award recognizes outstanding alumni who have brought honor to their alma mater by distinguishing themselves professionally or through extraordinary service to the school and university. Mueller has done both.

At a special gathering in the Basile Auditorium in Eskenazi Hall on Wednesday, October 8, Dean Valerie Eickmeier presented the award. The evening, began with a reception and then a panel discussion about entrepreneurship and public art led by the Dean Valerie Eickmeier, Steve Mueller and John Himmelfarb from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event was free and open to the public.

Vector Fabricating has donated its services to create and install the grand, ornamental staircase in Eskenazi Hall at Herron School of Art and Design. Mueller also has made significant gifts of art to the IU Art Museum, and to Herron in the form of “Stacked”, a sculpture by the late Professor Emeritus Gary Freeman.

For the press release of the event, click here..

 


 

IMAGES FROM THE EVENT
Honoring Steve Mueller was Distinguished Alumni Award, 2014
at Herron School of Art and Design at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis [IUPUI]
Date: October 8, 2014.

 


 

Steve Mueller speaking at the occassion

Steve Mueller speaking at the occassion

 

Steve Mueller speaking at the occasion.

 

Steve Mueller, Debbie Mueller and Dean Valerie Eickmeier

Steve Mueller, Debbie Mueller and Dean Valerie Eickmeier

 

Steve Mueller, Debbie Mueller and Dean Valerie Eickmeier. The abstract sculpture by Gary Freeman was a gift to the Herron School from Steve Mueller. Gary Freeman [1937-2014] was a Professor Emeritus of Sculpture at Herron School. All three co-founders of Vector studied under Professor Gary Freeman at the John Herron School of Art and Design.

 

Panel discussion with  Dean Valerie Eickmeier,  Steve Mueller and John Himmelfarb

Panel discussion with Dean Valerie Eickmeier, Steve Mueller and John Himmelfarb

 

Panel discussion on entrepreneurship and public art led by Dean Valerie Eickmeier, Steve Mueller and John Himmelfarb.

 

Steve Mueller receiving a gift

Steve Mueller receiving a gift

 

Steve Mueller receiving a gift. In the image, sculptor John Himmelfarb and Vice-President of Herron Alumni Association Duane King

 

Vice-President, Herron Alumni Association Duane King, Dean Valerie Eickmeier, sculptor Steve Mueller and sculptor John Himmelfarb.

Vice-President, Herron Alumni Association Duane King, Dean Valerie Eickmeier, sculptor Steve Mueller and sculptor John Himmelfarb.

 

Vice-President, Herron Alumni Association Duane King, Dean Valerie Eickmeier, sculptor Steve Mueller and sculptor John Himmelfarb.

 

 Dean Valerie Eickmeier, with Vectr team Debbie Mueller, Mike Wilkie, Steve Mueller and Barry Hehemann.

Dean Valerie Eickmeier, with Vectr team Debbie Mueller, Mike Wilkie, Steve Mueller and Barry Hehemann.

 

Dean Valerie Eickmeier, with Vectr team Debbie Mueller, Mike Wilkie, Steve Mueller and Barry Hehemann.

 

Family and friends came to attend the event.

Family and friends came to attend the event.

 

Family and friends came to attend the event

 

Evening ended with Italian dinner

Evening ended with Italian dinner

 

Evening ended with Italian dinner.

MORE PHOTOS from the event: SCROLL DOWN

 


 

 


 

Vector Fabricating donated  its services to create and install the grand, ornamental staircase in Eskenazi Hall at Herron School of Art and Design. Steve Mueller also has made significant gifts of art to the IU Art Museum, and to Herron in the form of “Stacked”, a sculpture by the late Professor Emeritus Gary Freeman. Another abstract sculpture by the late Professor was gifted during the event.

 


 

Ornamental staircase in Eskenazi Hall at Herron School of Art and Design

Ornamental staircase in Eskenazi Hall at Herron School of Art and Design

 

Ornamental staircase in Eskenazi Hall at Herron School of Art and Design

 

Stacked by late Professor Gary Freeman

Stacked by late Professor Gary Freeman

 

Stacked by late Professor Emeritus Gary Freeman.

 

Abstract by late Professor Gary Freeman

Abstract by late Professor Gary Freeman

 

Abstract by late Professor Emeritus Gary Freeman.

 


 

 


 

2014: Carts & Cocktails at Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park [Governers State University]

Carts and Cocktails

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Carts & Cocktails is an annual benefit fundraiser for the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park. The event 2014 Carts and Cocktails, began with the welcome speech by Jacqueline Lewis [President, NMSP Board]. Other speakers included Susan Ormsby [Immediate Past-President and Event Chair], Elaine P. Maimon [President, Governor State University], Jeanne Bridges [US Head, Diversity and Inclusion, BMO Harris Bank] and Geoffrey Bates [Director and Curator at NMSP]. The program was hosted by Stefan Holt, from NBC 5 News Today.

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2014: Carts & Cocktails at Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park

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2014: Carts & Cocktails

2014: Carts & Cocktails

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2014: Carts & Cocktails

2014: Carts & Cocktails

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The 2014 Carts & Cocktails event celebrated three sculptures in particular:
– Field Rotation [1981] by Mary Miss
– Yes! for Lady Day [1968-69] by Mark di Suvero, and,
– Serendipity [1998] by Chakaia Booker.

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Field Rotation [1981] – by Mary Miss

Field Rotation [1981] – by Mary Miss

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Field Rotation [1981] – by Mary Miss, is a 3.5 acres landscape made of wood and steel. it was commissioned by the Governors State University Foundation. Miss Mary has a major contribution to the Earth Art movement in the US. She incorporates elements of landscape in their sculptural compositions. Another example of this approach, also in the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, is the Martin Puryear’s Bodark Arc. The sculpture incorporates many historical references to world cultures, including mound building of Native American Cahokia in southern Illinois and the perimeter outline of 18th century military European fortification plans.

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Yes! for Lady Day [1968-69] – by Mark di Suvero. The evening was marked by superb performance by the Chorale singers, seen here in front of the sculpture

Yes! for Lady Day [1968-69] – by Mark di Suvero. The evening was marked by superb performance by the Chorale singers, seen here in front of the sculpture.

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This year marks the 45th Anniversary of the creation of “Yes! for Lady Day”, a Mark diSuvero’s expressive 1969 masterwork. The title of this work refers to Billie Holiday, one of the great jazz vocalist of the Mid-20th century. The sculpture was created over a period of two summers while di Suvero lived in a farmhouse which was loaned by Lewis Manilow, a prominent Chicago collector and philanthropist. The site became a gathering place for local sculptors – John Henry, Richard Hunt, John Chamberlain and others – spent time, and it later became the GSU campus. Yes! For Lady Day was constructed of salvaged steel I-beams and a railroad tank car that was cut at a diagonal ellipse by the artist. Di Suvero is one of the United States’ most highly regarded sculptors and arts activists. In 2010, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama. His style reflect early practice of abstract expressionist movement. As against the sculptures in the 60s, his work were not figural or representation of something. They were not volumes that sat on pedestal. They were drawings in space! His work is also known for being kinetic, and it is the viewers participation that completes the work. DiSuvero’s distinctive approach has created this poetic beauty that dances in the prairie breeze.

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Serendity [1998] – by Chakaia Booker

Serendity [1998] – by Chakaia Booker

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One of the main highlights of the evening was the solo exhibition series, “Don’t Tread on me” – by special guest artist Chakaia Booker.consists of three outdoor pieces: Serendipity [1998], Meeting Ends [2005] and What’s Not [2009]. These works from different times in her career suggests her creative range. Chakaia Booker is best known for her work with discarded automobile tires, which she cuts into pieces of varying length, width and shape – and fastens onto wooden or metal armatures. She builds indoor and outdoor sculptures ranging in scale from intimate wall pieces to large public works.

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2014: Gary Freeman Remembrance Celebration

 

GARY FREEMAN [1937 – 2014].

Gary Freeman was Professor Emeritus of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis [IUPUI] and served as head of the Herron School of Art Sculpture Department for 33 years, from 1968 until his retirement in 2001.He died on January 6, 2014, after a prolonged illness.

To celebrate the life of Gary Freeman, the Herron School of Art & Design organized an event on March 1, 2014 at the Eskenazi Fine Arts Center. People were invited to share their stories about Gary Freeman. There was also an exhibition of his work..

Vector Custom Fabricating was established in 1978 by three artist-entrepreneurs, Barry Hehemann, Steve Mueller and Mike Wilkie. All three received their BFA degrees in Sculpture while studying with Professor Gary Freeman at the John Herron School of Art and Design; and then went on to earn their Master Degrees in Sculpture from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

“We all graduated different years but we had something in common: Gary’s work inspired us with the possibilities of fabricated metal. It’s hard for me to imagine the formation of Vector without his influence. The excellence he brought to the activity that was central to his life – making sculpture – was his teaching method”.
– Steve Mueller

 


 

 


 

Gary Freeman Remembrance

Gary Freeman Remembrance

 


 

High Lake Sculpture Garden

Deborah and Stephen Mueller

Deborah and Stephen Mueller

 

HIGH LAKE SCULPTURE GARDEN
Private collection of Stephen and Deborah Mueller
The collection focuses on outdoor sculpture by contemporary Chicago and Mid-West sculptors.
Visitors by appointment are welcome. Contact: (312) 505-5161

PHOTO GALLERY,  click here..

 


 

HIGH LAKE SCULPTURE GARDEN

PHOTO GALLERY, click here..

 


 

Buffalo - by Mike Baur

Buffalo – by Mike Baur


Buffalo – by Mike Baur
1999 Concrete and Steel
[112″ x 60″ x 172 ]

 

Chicago Totem - by Ed Wicklander

Chicago Totem – by Ed Wicklander


Chicago Totem – by Ed Wicklander
2010/ Steel

For more images, click here..

 

2nd 4th - by Barry Hehemann

2nd 4th – by Barry Hehemann


2nd 4th – by Barry Hehemann
2003 / Steel and Concrete
[16 ft x 8 ft x 23 ft]

For more images, click here..

 

Equipmental - by Gary Freeman

Equipmental – by Gary Freeman


Equipmental – by Gary Freeman
1980 / Steel
[8′ x 7′ x 14′]

 

Zen Moment - by Terry Karpowicz

Zen Moment – by Terry Karpowicz


Zen Moment – by Terry Karpowicz

 

by Derick Malkemus

by Derick Malkemus


– by Derick Malkemus

 

Logic Cubed - by Gary Freeman

Logic Cubed – by Gary Freeman


Logic Cubed – by Gary Freeman

 

- by Roger Blakley

– by Roger Blakley

 

Growth Rings - by Daniel Hunt

Growth Rings – by Daniel Hunt


Growth Rings – by Daniel Hunt
2003 / Cast iron
[58″ x 24″ x 14″]

 

Foot - by Judy Robins

Foot – by Judy Robins


Foot – by Judy Robins
1998 / African Marble
[24″ x 19″ x 8″]

 

Greek Opera - by John Himmelfarb

Greek Opera – by John Himmelfarb


Greek Opera – by John Himmelfarb

 

by Gary Freeman

by Gary Freeman


– by Gary Freeman

 

by Steve Mueller

by Steve Mueller


– by Steve Mueller

 

 by Gary Freeman

by Gary Freeman


– by Gary Freeman

 

- by Roger Blakley

– by Roger Blakley


– by Roger Blakley

 

- by Mike Baur

– by Mike Baur


– by Mike Baur

 

- by Mike Baur

– by Mike Baur


– by Mike Baur

 


 

Related Links

PHOTO GALLERY,  click here..

 


 

2012 : Pig Roast and Carnival of Fire – Part II [Metal Pour]

Vector and Friends: Metal Pour

Continued from the post, 2012: Pig Roast & Exhibit..click here..

VECTOR and FRIENDS: The Art of Fabricating
The ISC Chicago Conference, Oct 4, 2012.
As a gesture of expressing gratitude to all the artists that have employed its services over the past 34 years; the Vector Custom fabricating organized an event: Pig Roast and Carnival of Fire.. and also an Exhibit of small-scale sculptures.

For the Exhibit..click here..

CARNIVAL of FIRE: This included iron pour, glass blowing, fire spinning, fire breathing, fire hooping, and more, focusing on the use of fire as a sculptural element. It was presented by Lunarburn Studio [click here..] Ignite Glass Studio [click here..] and Ironhead.


VIDEO: PIG ROAST & CARNIVAL of FIRE


PHOTO GALLERY: CARNIVAL of FIRE / METAL POUR
Oct. 4th 2012.



2012: Pig Roast & Carnival of Fire- Part I [Maquette Exhibit]

 

 


 

Vector-Invitaion

Vector-Invitaion

 

VECTOR and FRIENDS: The Art of Fabricating
The ISC Chicago Conference, Oct 4, 2012.

In October, 2012; Chicago hosted the 23rd International Sculpture Conference [ISC]. As a gesture of expressing gratitude to all the artists that have employed its services over the past 34 years; the Vector Custom fabricating organized an event: Pig Roast and Carnival of Fire. Vector is an artist owned and operated company specializing in fabrication of sculpture. Along with Pig Roast and Fire Carnival was an exhibit of small scale sculptures.

THE EXHIBIT of small-scale sculptures: The sculptures in this exhibit is by artists who have employed the services of Vector and the artists who provide those services on behalf of Vector. On a regular basis over the past 34 years these two groups of artists have collaborated to make sculpture that has required their mutual efforts. The only exceptions are Professor Gary freeman who inspired the founders of Vector with the potential of fabricated metals at the John Herron School of Art; and Professor Roger Blakely, an artist they admire who was central to their graduate experience at the University of Illinois. Vector Custom Fabricating, Inc. is taking the occasion of the ISC Conference in Chicago 2012 to express it’s gratitude to all the artists that have made its long history of making art possible.

For the list of Exhibiting Artists .. click here..

CARNIVAL of FIRE: This included iron pour, glass blowing, fire spinning, fire breathing, fire hooping, and more, focusing on the use of fire as a sculptural element. It was presented by Lunarburn Studio [click here..], Ignite Glass Studio [click here] and Ironhead.

For Video and Photo Gallery  of the Carnival of Fire, click here..

 


 



VIDEO: Small-Scale Sculptural exhibit by Vector and Friends

 


 

PHOTO GALLERY: Small-Scale Sculptural Exhibit by Vector and Friends

 


 

The Exhibiting Artists:
Mike Baur
Roger Blakley
Adrian Calderon
Barbara Cooper
Gary Freeman
Seth Godard
Neil Goodman
Barry Hehemann
John Himmelfarb
Daniel Hunt
Terry Karpowicz
Erik Lowe
Stephen Luecking
Derick Malkemus
Inigo Manglano-Ovalle
Nathan Overley
Christine Rojeck
Bruce White