The School of Visual Arts will host a workshop titled “Modeling the Face with LaQuincey Reed” on Saturday.
Attendees will learn the basics of working with clay and how to sculpt a human face under Reed’s supervision.
Reed is a native Oklahoman from Lawton. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2005 with a degree in studio art.
“I have been making art for as long as I can remember. I love making things and using my mind to solve artistic problems,” Reed said, “I started as a painter, but slowly realized I’m a much better sculptor and that most of my training was geared to being a sculptor.”
Reed has a teaching certificate and teaches art at middle and high schools in Oklahoma City.
“If people grow up without an appreciation of art on some basic level, then the works I love and hope my kids get the chance to see may not be cared for properly,” he said. “I think back to myself as a child, and art was my escape to be my true self. I think that some kids have that feeling too, and it needs to be nurtured.”
It will be Reed’s first time teaching on a college campus.
“I’m surprised anytime anyone is interested in what I do,” Reed said. “You often learn by exposure to different voices, experiences and techniques. Hopefully I can provide a new voice and insight with my experiences.”
Reed was asked to teach the workshop by Holly Moye, director of the School of Visual Arts. Moye was a juror for the Paseo Arts Funding Emerging Artists with Sustainable Tactics (F.E.A.S.T.), where she first heard about Reed.
“Artists submit to the F.E.A.S.T. The jurors choose a select number to present their projects, and they win funds for it. I first heard about LaQuincey during the F.E.A.S.T. He was absolutely my No. 1 top choice, and he ended up winning,” Moye said.
Moye said she found Reed’s work particularly interesting because of its use of traditional mediums and themes to convey the lesser known histories of our world.
“I think it’s really exciting work that he’s doing,” she said. “And it’s beautiful.”
Reed said his work is figurative and more traditional.
“In my art, I want to use the figure as a way to connect the viewer with abstract feelings and ideas,” he said. “My need to make my ideas tangible and seeing other people’s art motivates and inspires me. No one else can make my art, and, if I don’t make it, then it will always only be an idea.”
The workshop is part of the Visual Arts department’s ongoing artist series where local artists are invited to teach once a month throughout the semester. Last month highlighted papier-mâché artists. Next month will feature a local videographer and documentary artist. Reed’s workshop is about figurative modeling with clay and modeling the human face realistically.
“We want to offer something to the student population that wouldn’t be offered through a course,” Moye said.
Each month’s artist is chosen to teach a different form of artistic expression, including performance art, indigo dying and sculpture.
Moye considers this particular workshop well received.
“All of the workshops always sell,” Moye said. “There are some workshops, though, that fill up quicker, and this was definitely one of them.”
Capriana Campo, music theater senior, and Anastasia Conyers, studio art sophomore, signed up to attend the workshop.
“I have a very open mind about this workshop. I expect I will learn a new skill that I’ve never done before,” Campo said.
Conyers owns a bakery, which specializes in edible art and is learning how to pull sugar and make sugar sculptures.
“I do some fondant sculpting, but would like to up my game a bit and start doing sculpted cakes,” Conyers said. “You never know what you will walk away from a hands-on workshop with, so I always try to keep an open mind. If it helps my sculpting at all, it will benefit me in school and in my business.”
Workshops are open to students and anyone who wants to attend. Moye said they attract a variety of people.
“We get students, but we also get a lot of other faculty members or staff members as well,” Moye said. “I think it’s just a really great opportunity for people on campus if you don’t have time to take a class, or if it doesn’t fit in with your schedule, or you’re not registered to take courses. You can just come.”
Workshops are from 1-4 p.m. once a month in Norick Art Center. Attendance is free and materials are provided. Workshops are reserved via email on a first-come, first-served basis. Spots are limited, and class sizes vary. Students may email Moye at hmmoye@okcu.edu to reserve a spot.
Leave a Reply