9/05/01 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Mary Frisbee Johnson, head, Department of Art, (319) 273-2077

Gwenne Culpepper, University Marketing and Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

Artist of new UNI sculpture to visit campus

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Molly Mason, a Cedar Falls native, will be on the University of Northern Iowa campus Sept. 6-10, installing her latest sculpture, "Rainwall," in the university's new Redeker Center dining area. Mason will discuss her public artworks at the Redeker Center Second Level Meeting Room on Mon., Sept. 10 at 10 a.m. Seating is limited.

"Rainwall" is an eight-foot-tall, undulating stainless steel wall situated in a water pool. The surface of the steel has a "plucked" appearance, as though sections have been pulled out. "These negative spaces are laser-cut, and cut-out shapes are welded at careful angles to create a sense of syncopation and energy," explained Mason. "Much light will penetrate through these cutouts -- the wall will not be a visual barrier from one side to the other. As water flows down the work, it will move through some of the negative spaces and down the edges of the angled forms."

Mason received a master of fine arts degree in sculpture and ceramics from the University of Iowa School of Art in 1976. She has had a very successful career in the public sculpture arena, with major works placed at the University of Central Florida, Orlando; City of Albuquerque New Mexico; and City of Palm Beach, Fla. Mason also is represented in more than 80 private collections, has had solo and group exhibitions, and received numerous fellowships, grants and awards.

Mason's installation project comes as the university observes the 41^st anniversary of the Percent for Art program, instituted in 1960 by then-president William Maucker, to promote the arts and emphasize the liberal arts focus of general education programs. The Percent for Art program was so successful it became state law in 1979, and requires that one half of 1 percent of the budget for new or significantly renovated state buildings be spent on artwork. For the past 40 years, UNI has built its 34-piece public collection by commissioning artworks by local, regional and nationally known artists through its Art and Architecture Committee.

9/05/01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Michael Blackwell, director, Multicultural Education at UNI, (319) 273-2250

Gwenne Culpepper, University Marketing and Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

Note to editors/news directors: A 200 dpi JPEG image of Maria Thompson Corley is available on the Web at http://www.uni.edu/pubrel/newsroom/photos/mcorley

Pianist to perform at UNI

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Pianist Maria Thompson Corley will perform at the University of Northern Iowa's Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center at 3 p.m. on Sun., Sept. 9. The event will be in the GBPAC's Great Hall. The public may attend at no charge.

The Jamaican-born pianist was a pupil of the acclaimed pianist Gyorgy Sandor, and was the only pianist admitted into the Julliard School's doctoral program for a two-year period. Formerly an assistant professor at Florida A&M University, Corley holds a master's and a doctorate in piano performance from the Julliard School. She serves as staff accompanist at Millersville University in Lancaster, Pa.

Her performance is sponsored by the Center for Multicultural Education, the School of Music, the Maucker Union Policy Board, the Multicultural Activities and Programs Committee, and MDB Ministries Inc.

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9/5/01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Kathy Gulick, director, University Health Services, (319) 273-6921

Vicki Grimes, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

'Sole Power' celebrates fall kick-off at University of Northern Iowa

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --"Sole Power," a project designed to encourage non-motorized commuting to the University of Northern Iowa campus, will kickoff from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 13 on the Maucker Union Plaza.

"We want to encourage people to leave their cars at home and walk, bike or rollerblade to campus or use non-motorized commuting for other errands within the community," said Kathy Gulick, UNI director of University Health Services. "It's part of a philosophy that's called the 'green triangle model,' which encourages participation in activities that are good for the environment, good for your health, and good for your pocketbook." This is the fourth year for Sole Power at UNI.

Among the day's events, UNI Public Safety will register bikes and distribute water bottles, "Arrive Alive" will sell Bell helmets for a reduced fee, and Europa Cycle & Ski will provide free bike tune-ups. The Outdoor Recreation Office will provide information on its program offerings and there also will be information about the UNI Panther Shuttle. Information on campus recreational walking routes and Cedar Valley Recreational Trail maps also will be available. T-shirts, water bottles and bike bells can be earned for pledging to increase car-free commuting.

Assisting Gulick in the event is UNI student Erica Enslein from Davenport, and other student volunteers.

For more information, contact Gulick at (319) 273-6921.

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