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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 30, 2000)
i Jennifer Lund/DN Sorensen holds a pod she designed. She said her ceramics are not meant only to be looked at; they are meant to be touched. She said she likes nature and uses it for her inspira tion, and the larvae design is an example of that The design is symbolic of the cyde of life because it encompasses its beginning and end. Sorensen, 41, has been through her own Rfe-cyde, having three children and losing her first husband to cancer. But 23 years after she enrolled at UNL, she is on pace to get an undergraduate degree in art with a emphasis on ceramics. Vessels Ceramics student creates art from trying life experiences BY MELANIE MENSCH Her art imitates her life. And what a life Su Harvey-Sorensen’s has been. As a 41-year-old undergraduate ceramics student, Harvey-Sorensen uses life experiences combined with natural elements to create “vessels of life,” clay pods and metallic larvae. Her intricately carved objects emulate the “most vital themes” of life: its beginning and end. By incorporating seeds, shells, bone and fossils into her pieces, Harvey-Sorensen creates a naturalistic, artistic and sym bolic genre of ceramics. “I want people to touch, to explore, to interact with these pieces,” she said. “These protective vessels, these containers of life, fascinate me.” And in her lifetime, Harvey-Sorensen has seen both the preciousness and fragility of life. But through the births of children and the death of a husband, this artist has matured much like a cocooned butterfly. Harvey-Sorensen began her artistic journey here at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln more than 20 years ago. When she came to UNL in 1977, Harvey-Sorensen studied ceramics part-time for only one year. “I had about a sophomore status then,” she said. “But I took time off to get married and raise a family.” But in 1984, her husband, David, died of cancer, leaving behind Harvey-Sorensen and their son, Brian. “I never had anyone close to me die before, especially this close,” she said. “It taught me life is so fragile." In the next year, Harvey Sorensen remarried and again attended UNL But this attempt was short-lived. "(My husband Kurt and D could- c u , . ., ritaffordit, and then I had twins,” she Su Harvey-Sorensendestgns many lar said vae forms. She said they are a symbol Now with twins Lane and Neil, new ^e* Harvey-Sorensen stayed home to raise her brood of boys. After completing another semester at UNL in 1991, Harvey-Sorensen quit to specialize in custom home painting, such as murals and stencils. During this period, Harvey-Sorensen said she realized her love of ceramics and nature. “It made me realize once and for all, I needed to focus on (ceramics),” she said. "I always had the drive and technical ability, but I finally devel oped the maturity to focus on it” And since 1996, Harvey-Sorensen has focused on earning her under graduate degree as a part-time student. Gail Kendall, a UNL art professor, has instructed Harvey-Sorensen in ceramics for the past five years. “She’s the kind of student who’s very rewarding to teach,” Kendall said. “She has an amazing level of craftsmanship, and people see that right away.” Harvey-Sorensen said her love of nature influences her sculptures of seeds, beetles and pods. “We don’t think or don’t like to think it but we are closely related to the natural world,” she said. “Everything connects to everything else. It all works together.” After her May 2001 graduation, Harvey-Sorensen said she hoped to continue her education in the UNL graduate program. “Maybe a professorship at a small college is something I’d like to do eventually,” she said. "I feel I’m really on the right track with my art with these forms of larvae and pods. “I’ve always done art for other people, but now it’s really the time for doing what I want” Children's author visits Lincoln BY MAUREEN GALLAGHER Remember the story of the very hungry caterpillar on his quest for food? Well, many children, past and present, have enjoyed the story, and today they will have the opportunity to meet its cre ator. Eric Carle, the author of such beloved children’s stories as “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” “The Very Quiet Cricket" and “The Very Lonely Firefly,” will be signing copies of his books at Lee Booksellers today. Linda Hillegass, coordinator for the event, said Carle’s books are always favorites among chil dren. “We always have people come into the store and say, ‘Oh, he's my favorite author,’ or ‘He's my son’s favorite author.’ “Carle is very popular, espe cially among children age 4 to 7,” she said. Carle’s appearance at the bookstore is to promote his new book, “Dream Snow,” the first Christmas book in his more than 30-year career as a chil dren’s book author and illustra tor. Hillegass said Carle’s new U. — - ■ book has been a big seller. “We’ve already sold hun dreds of copies, and I think it’s selling so well because it’s a,cute book with a sweet story,” she said. But that statement could be used to describe any of Carle’s books, which are known for their simple stories and colorful illustrations, Hillegass said. Cindy Dawson, a special education teacher and mother of two small children, said her family enjoys Carle’s books. “His books are very popular at our house; we own almost all of them,” she said. Dawson said Carle’s books are so popular because they are closely related to what children Book Signing: .Eric Carle ~C Where: I 1_ learn in school. "Carle’s books deal with sim ple things like colors, animal sounds or foods that young kids are learning about in school,” she said. “And because they are so simple, it is easy for kids to understand and enjoy them.” But those wishing to meet the man behind the simplicity should plan to get there early. Hillegass said she expects a large crowd at the signing. “The word has spread like wildfire, and there’s been enough interest that I’m nerv ous," she said. "There will prob ably be several hundred people at the event.” Patch delivers boos; KRNU offers tickets FROM STAFF REPORTS For those looking for some Halloween fun, Grandpa John’s Pumpkin Patch offers a wide variety of activities, ranging from frightening to relaxing. People wishing to be scared can take a trip on the haunted hayrack ride, where a tractor pulls visi tors through a haunted field. Admission to the ride is $8 for adults and $6 for children under 10. Grandpa John’s also offers a hayrack ride of a different sort in its pump kin patch. Visitors can pay $5 to get into the patch, which includes access to a hayrack ride that takes guests on a hunt for pump kins. Miniature golfing and a petting zoo are also avail able with the entrance fee. For an extra dollar, people can visit the 3-D barn, which was painted by an artist who has done work for the Walt Disney Co. Droppe Grandpa John’s, locat ed at NW 4801 Highway 34, is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. until Halloween. *** Tonight on KRNU, Association of Students of the University of Nebraska President Joel Schafer will be giving away four tickets to the David Spade per formance. Schafer will be the fea tured guest on “Hot Lunch,” which runs from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. on 90.3 FM. Students can call in to win tickets to the Spade performance, which is sponsored by the University Program Council and will be held at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Thursday evening. KRNU's phone number is 472-5768. 'Blair Witch 2' panned by critics, moviegoers alike THE ASSOCIATED PRESS LOS ANGELES — The witch in the woods cast a weaker spell the second time around. “Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2” the follow-up to last year’s low-budget surprise hit, “The Blair Witch Project,” was unable to knock off reigning box-office champ “Meet the Parents.” The Blair Witch sequel took in $13.1 million at 3,317 theaters, debuting in sec dnd place for the weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. “Meet the Parents,” the comedy star ring Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller, remained No. 1 for the fourth-straight weekend - the first movie to do so since last year’s blockbuster “The Sixth Sense.” It grossed $15.1 million for the weekend, pushing its total to $100 million. “Blair Witch 2” pulled in less than half what its predecessor did during its first weekend of wide release in July 1999. Blair Witch grossed a whopping $29.2 million on its way to a $140 million domestic gross after playing to sold-out theaters in limited release for two weekends. "I guess you can fool movie-goers once, but they won’t go for it a second time,” said box-office analyst Robert Bucksbaum of Reel Source Inc.