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In a show transcending the boundaries between art and craft and between European and African, 20 quilts by Richmond-based artist Rosie Lee Tompkins are on view at Berkeley Art Museum through Aug. 10. "Here is inventiveness and originality so palpable and intense," writes curator Lawrence Rinder "that each work seems like a new and total risk, a risk so extreme that only utter faith in the power of the creative spirit could have engendered it." Various aspects of Tompkins' style and technique have been identified as typifying an important tradition of African-American quilt making. At the same time, the visceral impact of the quilts, says Rinder, "recalls the claims for expressiveness made by, and on behalf of, a variety of 20th century painters." Fabrics common in her work are cotton, polyester and a glittery material she calls "Christmas" fabric. A number of works include three-dimensional components that create an almost sculptural effect. Tompkins' remarkable and inventive quilts have been displayed in group exhibitions throughout the United States; this marks her first solo museum exhibition. The show will be accompanied by a quilt making demonstration by Johnnie Wade, Sunday, June 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. For 24-hour information, call 642-0808. Humanities Research Fellowships Application forms for the President's Research Fellowships in the Humanities are now available at the Townsend Center for the Humanities, 460 Stephens Hall. The office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed at lunchtime. Applications must be picked up at the office and must be postmarked by Oct. 13. For information contact Pat Branch at 643-9670. New First-Generation Scholarship Program A new scholarship program has been created at Berkeley targeting outstanding Bay Area students transferring from community colleges who are from low-income backgrounds and first in their families to attend college. The scholarships will be funded by a donation from Bay Area philanthropist George A. Miller, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the Haas School of Business, and will be named in his honor. The George A. Miller Scholars Program is one-half of a $1-million gift from Miller, who has a strong commitment to education and community activism. The other half of the gift will go to the Library Humanities Collection. For the next 10 years, beginning with the fall 1997 junior transfer class, 10 Miller Scholars will be selected each year from 26 community colleges in the Bay Area. The scholars will be chosen from among students who have shown academic excellence, leadership potential, commitment to community service and are motivated to attend graduate and professional school. Each Miller Scholar will receive a combined scholarship and research stipend of $7,000 and will benefit from intensive mentoring programs and research opportunities on campus. Diaspora South Asian Materials Sought The South/Southeast Asia Library is seeking to develop its historical archive documenting the South Asian immigrant experience. It is collecting memorabilia, personal papers, correspondence, photographs, early publications, ephemera, posters and newsletters of early community organizations, and other effects of the early South Asian immigrants to the United States, Canada and other parts of the world. If you have material you might wish to include in this unique archive, contact Suzanne McMahon, South Asia librarian, South/ Southeast Asia Library, 438 Doe Library, 643-0849, or email smcmahon@library. berkeley.edu Innovative Film Fest The Black Maria Film and Video Festival is one of the few to celebrate innovative independent and experimental film and video art. On Tuesday, June 24, at 7 p.m., Pacific Film Archive showcases works from the festival selected by its director, John Columbus. The 10 jurors' choice and citation award winners include a tale of a
fanatical tool collector, an enigmateic work considering the effects of
catastrophe on memory, a poetic protest against India-stereotyping by the
western media, a piece about rural potters of Gujarat living in Bombay,
and others. |