2022-2023 PDGR Abstracts
Wayne E. Potratz, Professor Emerita, Art Department, College of Liberal Arts, University of Minnesota.
Texture: Form, Process, and the Aesthetics of Surface and Attendance at the 9th International Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art, Berlin, September 15-20, 2022. This project involves making a series of cast iron tiles that demonstrate the rich potential of surface textures possible in sand casting, photographing both the sand mold of the tile, its surface, and the resulting iron casting. Of course, each tile will also have an aesthetic dimension and a PowerPoint presentation will also address how gesture, form, and process combine with aesthetic intent to convey content that is visual, emotional, and intellectual. I am seeking support for materials, supplies, and assistance in mixing sand, making molds, and photographing the process and the resulting works. The Department of Art will allow me access, as Professor Emeritus, to the U of MN Foundry to make molds and pour the iron. I plan to use unspent funding from the 2019 grant as well as this new grant to attend the regional Western Iron Art Conference at the University of South Dakota in October, 2022 and to present the results of my project: “Texture: Form, Process, and the Aesthetics of Surface” at the 9th International Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art in Berlin, Germany in September, 2022.
News
UMRA hosted delegates from 14 of the 18 schools in the Big Ten for the 2026 Big Ten Retirees Association conference in July. It was described as “the perfect collaboration” by two delegates we invited to share a few of their key takeaways from the conference.
Developing communication skills is the focus of two programs needing volunteers this fall: the “Reader/Writer Program,” assisting students in Minneapolis Public Schools grades 7-12 to develop literacy skills; and “Partners in English,” engaging in conversation with adults for whom English is not their first language.
After being unexpectedly sidelined at the outset of her retirement, Pam Snopl now enjoys doing many of the things retirees get to do, including reconnecting in person with family and friends, going to museums and weekday Minnesota Twins games, reading, and writing.
UMRA member George Swan retired in 2021 after 30+ years at University Libraries, but still returns to campus to visit one or another of the libraries at least twice a week in his current role as a student/retiree.
UMRA’s Professional Development Grants for Retirees program is an annual competition for grants to support projects related to retirees’ research, instructional history, new scholarly or creative interests.
UMRA needs everyone to renew their membership for the coming year. Thank you if you’ve already renewed! If you haven’t, please renew right away.