Wildwood Faculty Art Exhibition
This mixed media art exhibition features the work of three artists who teach at STLCC-Wildwood.
Faculty Art Exhibition
Featuring
Joan Pirtle-Oakley, Nicoleta Petrescu-Tudor and Mark Weber
On Display
Jan. 24 - March 11, 2022
About the Exhibition
As Maya Angelou once said, “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” The same can be said for the artists featured in this exhibition.
Outside the classroom, each one is an active artist. What they teach in the classroom comes from years of practice and research. The ideas and images they produce in their studios are a reflection of their artistic journey.
The exhibit is curated by Mark Weber, MFA, instructor and gallery coordinator. While all works are on exhibit in the Gallery of Contemporary Art at STLCC-Wildwood, the public is encouraged to explore the works digitally on this page.
For more information about the artists, or to purchase any works of art featured in this exhibit, please contact Mark Weber at mweber@stlcc.edu.
Meet the Artists
Joan Pirtle-Oakley, Ed.D.
Joan Pirtle-Oakley, Ed.D., is a retired teacher and school administrator. As a classroom teacher, she taught elementary art, Advanced Placement Studio Art, painting, drawing, ceramics and graphic design in the Parkway and Rockwood School Districts.
Throughout her career, she has supervised gifted education, special education, student services, curriculum and instruction, and assessment in multiple districts. She has also provided workshops for students and teachers on creativity, reaching divergent learners and art.
She holds a bachelor of arts degree in communications, a master of arts degree in educational processes and a doctorate in educational administration from Maryville University.
Artist's Statement
Clouds are a visual reminder that we are in a constant state of change. Ever present, they offer both beauty and information that inspires my interest in experimenting with form, texture and color as a painter. Since our brains thrive on novelty, I am drawn to landscapes with the variety of changes nature provides, while always searching for ways to explore traditional subject matter.
Nicole Petrescu-Tudor
Artist's Statement
Modeling clay into functional objects embodies a very personal connection with Mother Earth. It is satisfying to touch every molecule of the clay in the process of wedging and wheel throwing. The clay is further manipulated into recognizable yet sometimes distorted shapes.
The vessels presented in this show intend to be a play on form, texture, and surface decoration. Various high-fire formula glazes in earthy tones create a palette envisioned to resonate with the natural processes responsible with the creation of the clay objects: earth, wind, water, and fire.
Mark Weber
Mark Weber began his career at STLCC in 1988 as an adjunct faculty member. In 1995, he was hired full-time at Forest Park, and in 2008, he was tapped to build the fine arts program at Wildwood.
Although Weber retired from the College in 2019, he continues to teach art courses and coordinate exhibits for the Gallery of Contemporary Art at Wildwood. During his tenure, he has spearheaded numerous fine arts initiatives, including helping student artists show and sell their work in the community through the Fine Arts Club Gallery Program.
Weber holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and a master’s degree in fine arts from Washington University in St. Louis. Throughout his career, he has participated in nearly two dozen solo art exhibitions and more than 50 group exhibitions. His artwork has been displayed in numerous public and private collections, including the Nelson-Atkins Museum in Kansas City, Ralston Purina, and Hunan Normal University in Changsha, China.
Artist's Statement
Fish live in a world of water, thinking that is the only world. Certainly, there are many other worlds. Some are water and land - others just land.
