art Archives - The Mount Observer

(Archive May 2019) A Sketchy Profession

By editorialteam on April 15, 2025

Art Student Gives Advice to Her Fellow Artists

By Casey Merritt | Observer Contributor

Lane working on her frog sculpture for class.
Photos by Casey Meritt

Jackie Lane, Art major, shared advice to help other artists find their medium.

Lane’s goal is for students to see her as an inspiration to continue doing what they love and to not give up on their dreams. “The reason that I’m majoring in art is because I want to do what I love and I think that if it’s something you’re interested in, go for it. You’ll get more practice through it and practice is what makes you a better artist,” said Lane.

One tip Lane offered for fellow artists is for them to publish their work in the literary magazine, A Certain Slant. By publishing in the magazine, art students are getting their names out. read more

(Archive April 2019) A Fruitful Fundraiser

By editorialteam on April 15, 2025

Fundraiser to Acquire Bronze Sculpture Makes Progress

By Rachel Williams | Observer Contributor

“Small Bather” by Gene Cauthen
Photos courtesy of MWCC Art Department

Joyce Miller, Art Professor and Director of the East Wing Gallery, said the fundraising campaign to purchase a bronze sculpture by Gene Cauthen has been successful and still ongoing.

Miller explained that the fundraising for the bronze piece started in the fall of 2018 and has been off to a good start. Although Miller does not know exactly how much has been raised, she said that the best form of fundraising has been through email lists, the art department Facebook page, printed announcements on campus and in the community, and word of mouth. The MWCC Foundation and the Marketing Department have assisted in getting a link set up for accepting donations specifically for the Gene Cauthen sculpture fundraiser, which Miller explained was a big help. read more

(Archive November 2018) Remembering Gene Cauthen

By editorialteam on April 1, 2025

By The Observer Staff

Gene A. Cauthen
Photo courtesy of MWCC

Gene A. Cauthen, Sculpture and Drawing professor, has died.

During Cauthen’s 35 years teaching at MWCC, he served as both the East Wing Gallery Director, Chair of the Art Department, and was the school’s first Sculpture professor. The early success of the art program was due, in large part, to Cauthen, as he was one of the founding members.

Pictured, from left, Professors Joyce Miller, Gene Cauthen, Tom Matsuda, department founder Jean Tandy, and John Pacheco.
Photo courtesy of MWCC

Cauthen was a strong advocate for a curriculum based around sculpture. He taught mold making and bronze casting, and for 50 years, MWCC has remained the only community college in the state that offers bronze casting to art students. read more

(Archive May 2018) The Moral of a Mural

By editorialteam on February 20, 2025

The Art Club Spins Optimism Through Painting

By Elizabeth Jones | Observer Contributor

The completed mural as it sits in the hallway.
Photo by Tom Hill Jr.

Sending a message through art in a year that seemed dominated by tragedy, a mural outside the advising office was created by four members of the art club.

The team began working in January and after an estimated 130 hours, the mural was completed in March.

The in-progress Art Club mural as it was at the beginning of the semester.
Photo by Brianna Stevens

“It is a tribute to all the tragedies of 2017,” said Allyson Bois, Art Club President. She was joined by the Art Club Vice President Camilo Alamares; Treasurer Blake Denmark; and Nicholas Lutz. read more

(Archive April 2018) Local Artist Robert Osborne Shares Life Experience

By editorialteam on February 5, 2025

By Christine Nelson | Observer Contributor

Artist Robert Osborne sits at his desk (where it is)
Photo courtesy of www.robertgosborne.com.

Imagine buying and selling works of art by artists such as Rubens, Degas, Sargent, O’Keefe and Vermeer.

Robert G. Osborne, a local contemporary artist from Athol, did that for 35 years in New York City and recently shared highlights and advice from his career as an art dealer, museum director, and artist.

Osborne showed slides of noteworthy artwork he bought and then later sold.

A smaller Rubens illustration (c. 1632) that mirrored the master’s paintings was sold to University of California, Berkeley. “I was very proud of this one,” Osborne said. read more

(Archive April 2018) Deborra Stewart-Pettengill’s Gallery Talk

By editorialteam on February 5, 2025

By Alexa Nogueira | Observer Contributor

*Sway* by Deborra Stewart-Pettengill
Photos by Alexa Nogueira

Deborra Stewart-Pettengill is a South Carolina native who specializes in abstract art. On Thursday, March 1, she held a Gallery Talk for her art exhibit at Mount Wachusett Community College.

The Gallery Talk had a big turnout, which consisted of art students working in 2-D and fans of Stewart-Pettengill who had visited the exhibit several times throughout the week.

The event itself was hosted by Joyce Miller, a professor at MWCC who runs the college’s art gallery. read more

(Archive February 2018) Student Pursues Glass Blowing Career

By editorialteam on February 4, 2025

By Kayla Blackwell | Observer Contributor

Photos by Jennifer Lamontagne

Miles Roache is a student at MWCC who hopes to pursue a career involving glassblowing. Currently in his second year, he plans to earn a business certificate so he can open a shop to sell his work.

Roache began blowing glass in the seventh grade after his father took him to meet a torch worker at an art studio. “I realized this was my passion when I was left alone at the torch to make my own art and realized that my only limits were my imagination,” Roache said. read more

(Archive May 2017) Sculpture Students Participate in Annual Art Department Bronze Pour

By editorialteam on September 10, 2024

By Nick Cherico | Assistant Editor

On Thursday, April 13^th, MWCC students participated in the art department’s annual bronze pouring. This year’s pouring was led by Thomas Matsuda, who is an Art Professor and Chair of the Department. Matsuda helped students prepare their own ceramic molds which they could then pour bronze into.