From Stadium to Studio

Brush strokes and backstrokes may be kindred souls.

Appreciating black and white photography can share ties with watching game film.

Their link? The same person making the art might also be making the play.

"It seems like art and athletics make strange bedfellows, but athletes are so focused," explains Karen Koblitz, curator for a special art show that opens this weekend at the Galen Center. About 30 unique pieces are on display, each crafted by a USC student-athlete. "It takes so much to be the best at their sport and reach the level they've reached. They understand that the same kind of energy is put forth into art. I think it's an interesting dynamic, and I think that's why some of them do so well in the fine arts."

The Louis Galen Annual ARTLETICS Exhibition is free to the public during all athletic events and upon special request. Now in its third year, this edition features two- and three-dimensional pieces from Trojans you may recognize in football, basketball, swimming, water polo, tennis, rowing, and track and field.

Koblitz serves on the Roski School of Fine Arts faculty and runs the ceramics department. She's taught many athletes over the years. One semester, there were six football players in the same class. "I was talking with one of their counselors, and she thought I might an interesting motivational speaker to talk with the students. I said, 'Oh, yeah! Maybe we can bring some of their artwork and have it around!'"

When they realized how much work it would be to set up the art for one night, the plan morphed into ARTLETICS. The first year it was held in Heritage Hall in the same cases as the school's fabled Heisman Trophies.

This year's exhibitors express what makes many of them unique -- culturally and competitively.

Dina Hegazy (swimming) is presenting black and white photographs taken at her family's farm in Egypt. Martin Coleman (football) grew up in Tonga and incorporates designs in his work that are inspired by his childhood. Two of his pieces are also titled in Tongan. A compelling digital photo by Jordan Thompson (water polo) captures one of his youthful teammates, who hails from Egypt, standing along a grizzled old man in a Los Angeles street.

Many used their sport as inspiration. Nico Sardo designed a clay trophy representing the teamwork necessary in water polo. For another assignment, Jacki Gemelos (basketball) made a clay self portrait (a larger-than-life head) blended with somebody who she admires. The result, titled "2 of a Kind," was a bust that resembles Gemelos but wears the jersey of WNBA star Diana Taurasi. Kinga Mikolajczyk (rowing) is presenting a series of black and white photographs of her teammates training and traveling. On of the most remarkable pieces is a large and colorful painting of rowers by Robin Hextrum. Besides being captain of the crew team, Hextrum is a double major in Fine Art and Neuroscience.

The artists have a wide range of experience. Hextrum is a senior taking 400 level classes. Tanner Trowbridge (swimming) has been working in clay since 8th grade. "You look at his work and you see a more mature approach to working in ceramics," observed Koblitz. "Other pieces here are a first artist experience! To me, it's so exciting to see their work blossom and grow."

Some of the students involved in the exhibition have taken classes with Koblitz, but others she's just meeting for the first time. Across the board, she said they were all excited to be a part of the event. "They really enjoy being honored for something other than their sport. It's really a rewarding thing."

Patron of the Arts

Originally planned as ARTLETICS III, the exhibit was renamed after the passing of the arena's namesake last fall. "The Galens have been very generous with the athletic department, but it's probably not as well known that they've been very philanthropic with the Roski School of Fine Arts," pointed out Koblitz. "When Lou [Galen] passed away, I thought we should rename the show after him. It combines both his love of art and athletics."

Lou and Helene Galen initiated the Galen Ceramics Studio, the Galen Ceramics Lecture Series, and the Helene V. Galen Intermedia Lab at the Roski School of Fine Arts.

Not Lost in Translation

"Sometimes I think people shy away from looking at art because they feel like they don't understand it," Koblitz recognized. Instead of worrying about every detail, she suggested that they ask some simple questions. "When you look at something, if it draws you in, why do you select a piece in a show as your favorite? Is it something with the design? The color? Is there something in the theme or idea that connects with something in your life?" With this exhibit, it's not hard for a sports fan to be an art fan, too.

Guests of Honor

Koblitz revealed that part of her connection with the athletics department came from a unique experience with the football team as a guest coach, a program designed to give professors a better appreciation for what some of their students go through. It was a rare view of the demands that athletes have at USC. She raved about the whole thing. "It's fabulous! Faculty can see that kids here have an amazing commitment. They're up at 5:00 A.M.! They're working out in the morning, then they have their classes, then they have their afternoon practices, plus the games."

Need to Know

The show, which contains work from 14 Trojan student-athletes, will be running from February 17th to March 23. An opening reception will be held at noon on February 28. Most of the artwork is assembled in the main lobby of the Galen Center around a giant "T," for Trojan. Among the other USC athletes involved:

Nate Anderson (track and field), Myeshia Gibson (track and field), Myra Hasson (track and field), Vanni Mangoni (swimming), Jason McNaughton (tennis), and Kyle Wootten (water polo).

Side-by-Side

Like Gemelos, offensive lineman Martin Coleman designed a self portrait in clay that combined features of himself mixed with somebody he looks up to. He chose a Tongan warrior. Here's the end result juxtaposed with his team headshot:

    

Click on any photos of the art to see a larger image.