Click on the Eye to visit the Virtual Vortex
The Shafer Gallery crew knew that everyone had been getting kind of tired of the same old video classes and lectures, so they went above and beyond this year to create an immersive world for students to experience the annual “Vortex Day” exhibit and juried art show, which is sponsored by the Barton County Arts Council (BCAC) and is underwritten by the Bill J. McKown Endowment/Golden Belt Foundation.
Shafer Art Gallery Director Dave Barnes said it was important to the Shafer staff and the Barton Community College Art department to go the extra mile this year to create something really special for the students.
“In order to make a way through the obstructed byways of COVID-19, we have designed a special virtual world for Barton County students to exhibit in,” he said. “On April 30, the portal opened for students (the Vortex Discovery Team) to explore a gaming style online environment where they can participate in a variety of activities and explore a realm of art all their own.”
Hoisington High School Art Instructor Christina Lamoureaux said the exhibit was well received by the students.
Hoisington High School Art Instructor Christina Lamoureaux said the exhibit was well received by the students.
“It was a more than wonderful format,” she said. “I will be continuing to share and use it in my classes through the week. I think this is motivating and encouraging to our young artists and increases student appreciation of the arts.”
The highlight of Vortex Day is always the juried art show, which this year consists of an online exhibit of the work by students from Central Plains, Ellinwood, Great Bend, Larned and Hoisington High Schools. In addition, the students were able to do the following activities:
• View their submitted work and that of their peers on the "World of Exposition."
• View comments by Vortex judges on the "Orb of Wise Critique."
• Participate in short online workshop presentations by Barton Aesthetic Masters Bill Forst, Philip Jacobson and Yuchen Boswell.
• View a video made exclusively for the Virtual Vortex by renowned steam-punk artist Kris Kuksi on the "Magister’s World."
• Mind-meld with the "Core Brain" to determine the Artists' Choice Singularity Award.
• View comments by Vortex judges on the "Orb of Wise Critique."
• Participate in short online workshop presentations by Barton Aesthetic Masters Bill Forst, Philip Jacobson and Yuchen Boswell.
• View a video made exclusively for the Virtual Vortex by renowned steam-punk artist Kris Kuksi on the "Magister’s World."
• Mind-meld with the "Core Brain" to determine the Artists' Choice Singularity Award.