APSU's Glass to explore music, art and language at April 2 salon event
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. 鈥 Malcolm Glass, the local award-winning poet and Austin Peay State University emeritus professor of English, can鈥檛 seem to keep his creative side in check. A few years ago, he took up photography and created dazzling images that were displayed around town and in Nashville. Then, in the spring of 2011, he decided to give drawing a go. That鈥檚 when he enrolled in APSU art professor Billy Renkl鈥檚 Drawing IV class at the University.
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. 鈥 Malcolm Glass, the local award-winning poet and Austin Peay State University emeritus professor of English, can鈥檛 seem to keep his creative side in check. A few years ago, he took up photography and created dazzling images that were displayed around town and in Nashville. Then, in the spring of 2011, he decided to give drawing a go. That鈥檚 when he enrolled in APSU art professor Billy Renkl鈥檚 Drawing IV class at the University.
鈥淚t was a terrific class,鈥 Glass recalled. 鈥淲e had a dozen fabulous students, and he is a master teacher.鈥
The works Glass created in that class will form part of 鈥淢usic, Art and Language: A Conversation鈥 鈥 a new creative arts event he is presenting at 5 p.m., April 2 at the Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library. The event, which is free and open to the public, is part of the APSU Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts鈥 Spring Salon Series.
鈥淚n a way, this event will be something of a tribute to Billy,鈥 Glass said.
In Renkl鈥檚 drawing class, Glass decided to create pieces 鈥渋nspired鈥 by music. Those pieces will be on display at the event.
鈥淭he music was varied,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 used contemporary Canadian composer Glenn Buhr, Margaret Leng Tan, who composes music for toy pianos, the Icelandic band Amiina, British minimalist composer Gavin Bryars and (American singer) Tom Waits.鈥
Glass also wrote a few literary pieces to go with his drawings, which he will read at the Salon. But the part of the event he wants to focus on is the 鈥渃onversation.鈥
鈥淚 will give some background info and such, but I want the audience members to do most of the talking,鈥 he said. 鈥淚鈥檒l ask them which drawing goes with a piece of music and why. I want to know their responses to the music and the art, and I don鈥檛 want to influence their opinions or reactions.鈥
Glass likens this event to the soirees hosted in studios in 19th century France, with individuals engaging with artists about the works they created. The APSU Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts hosts the Salon Series once a month during the fall and spring semesters, featuring distinguished local artists and arts organizations, followed by refreshments and good conversations.
For more information on the salon, contact the APSU Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts at 931-221-7876.