News release Public Information Office   SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu     www.selu.edu/news Contact: Christina Chapple Date: 10/31/03   Click on image for publication quality photo NEW SOUTHEASTERN DEPARTMENT HEAD TO EXHIBIT ARTWORK NOV. 5-19       HAMMOND  -- An exhibit of ceramics, paintings and photographs by Dennis Sipiorski, new head of Southeastern Louisiana University’s Department of Visual Arts, will open Wednesday, November 5 at the university’s Clark Hall Gallery.       Sipiorski came to Southeastern in August from Nicholls State University, where he was a member of the faculty for 23 years and chaired the art department since 1991. He will present a lecture on his work at noon on Thursday, November 6, also in the gallery. His exhibit will be on display through November 19. Sipiorski said proceeds from any sales during the exhibit will be donated to the Visual Arts Department.       The Wisconsin native, who received his Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame and master’s and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin, was the recipient of the Nicholls’ Distinguished Service Professor award and won third place in the “Elvis Art” National Juried Exhibition in 2001. His work has been featured in national publications such as “Clay Times” and the “Milwaukee Journal,” and he has served as a competitive juror, curator and grant panelist.        As head of the Visual Arts Department, Sipiorski will direct Southeastern’s efforts to obtain accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.       “At Southeastern, all of our graduate programs and 97 percent of our undergraduate programs are accredited,” said President Randy Moffett. “Accreditation is an important independent evaluation of the quality of a program, and we are totally committed to obtaining that status for our visual arts programs.”        Sipiorski said Southeastern’s Visual Arts Department, which has approximately 230 majors, already has pluses such as a state-of-the-art graphic design and digital arts program. A strong faculty, he said, also offers courses in areas such as drawing, painting, photography, ceramics and printmaking.        To obtain NASAD’s coveted academic stamp of approval, he said the department will work toward renovating Clark Hall and other visual arts facilities in East Stadium, including creating a gallery out of the original student union ballroom, which later housed the university bookstore. He also plans to move department and faculty offices to East Stadium, add more full time faculty, and upgrade equipment.       Already, ceramics and sculpture facilities have been rearranged to use the space more efficiently and more than $50,000 in safety equipment has been purchased, Sipiorski said. New Clark Hall Gallery director Dale Newkirk has also expanded Clark Hall Gallery’s hours to increase opportunities for campus and community members to attend exhibits.       Sipiorski said the department is completing an extensive self-study of facilities, faculty, equipment and curricula needs. “National standards are very strict, and each of these areas will have to meet those standards,” he said. “We have to start somewhere and, with the good dedicated teachers and good students already in the program, I’m optimistic about our success.”       Hours for Clark Hall Gallery are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays, with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday.  For additional information, contact the department at 985-549-2193. Return to News Releases