Weber State University Elizabeth Dee Shaw Gallery Director, Katie Lee Koven Outlines New Programs and Initiatives for Northern Utah's Premier Venue for Contemporary Art

Lee Koven leverages her extensive experience in Contemporary Art to increase awareness and international prestige for Elizabeth Dee Shaw Gallery

OGDEN, Utah, Nov. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Elizabeth Dee Shaw Gallery at Weber State University (www.weber.edu/shawgallery) today announced the success of a series of new initiatives by gallery director, Katie Lee Koven, to increase awareness, expand opportunities for creative expression, boost involvement in a new film series and grow the total number of visits by international renowned contemporary artists. The Mary Elizabeth Dee Shaw Gallery is Northern Utah's premier venue for contemporary art exhibitions and educational programs that provide visitors access to the art of our times.  

"In the short time Katie has been the director of the Elizabeth Dee Shaw Gallery, she has contributed significantly not only to our campus community but also to the entire state of Utah," said Madonne Miner, Dean of the Telitha E. Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities. "She has been instrumental in identifying and inviting new and emerging contemporary artists from both the United States and various countries to interact with faculty, students and the community at-large."

Since being named the director of the Elizabeth Dee Shaw Gallery, Katie Lee Koven has accomplished the following:

• Elevated and expanded visual arts programming to encompass international contemporary artists including visits from UK-based fiber artist, Ismini Samanidou in 2013 and Japanese artist, Motoi Yamamoto in the spring of 2014. Weber State University students will have the opportunity to interact with Yamamoto as he develops a unique salt installation. This special exhibit is scheduled for February 24-April 12, 2014. Yamamoto will be in residence from February 24 through March 6.
• Partnered with the Utah Film Center to launch, "Utah Film Circuit: Ogden."  This unique monthly program is free and open to the public. The intent of the film series is to provide a unique experience of engaging with film as a contemporary art discipline while also exploring important topics. With each film screening there is a post-film discussion, often led by the film director. Since debuting in August of 2013, the series has explored such topics as mining for uranium in a small Colorado town desperate for jobs to a musician who transformed apartheid in South Africa.
• Rebranded and launched a new website for the Elizabeth Dee Shaw Gallery to make information about lectures, films, workshops and exhibitions more accessible. The new look and graphics reflect the original mission of the gallery and the upcoming programs that will be featured.
• Doubled the public programs offered, which are always free to the public.

"One of my primary goals as the director of the Elizabeth Dee Shaw Gallery at Weber State University is to present national and international contemporary art in an accessible and educational manner that enriches the lives of our students, community, state and region sparking debate and thoughtful engagement with the world around us," said Katie Lee Koven, director of the Mary Elizabeth Dee Shaw Gallery. "Art enriches our daily life in ways we never imagine. As we look ahead to develop the exhibitions and invite artists to interact with the community; the Elizabeth Dee Shaw Gallery aspires to engage the residents of Utah," said Lee Koven. 

For a full calendar of current and upcoming events at the Elizabeth Dee Shaw Gallery please visit (www.weber.edu/shawgallery). Gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday the gallery is closed.

About the Elizabeth Dee Shaw Gallery
The Elizabeth Dee Shaw gallery aspires to engage a diverse audience, create a sense of community, provide insight into the creative process, and challenge visitors to contemplate, discuss and understand the historical, social, and cultural context of contemporary art. It serves the Department of Visual Art, Weber State University and the community of Northern Utah by presenting the work of local, regional, and nationally recognized artists, including new work, emerging media and original scholarship.

About the Telitha E. Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities
The Weber State University Telitha E. Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities teaches students to excel as they seek, understand, question and express complexities critical to the experience of being human. The Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities offers five degree programs in the following areas: Communication, English, Foreign Language, Performing Arts and Visual Arts. Master's degrees also are offered in Communication and English. The college serves nearly 2,000 undergraduate majors and 200 graduate students. The Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities is the Western region's foremost institution for student-centered teaching and research that investigates the human experience and aims to educate global citizens who are responsible, creative and critical artists, performers and communicators. For more information please visit (www.weber.edu/cah) or online at (www.facebook.com/WSUartsandhumanities).

News Release Contact:
Christie Denniston, APR
Director of Marketing and PR Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities
Phone: 801-626-6431
Mobile: 303-827-5164
Email: [email protected] 

SOURCE Weber State University, Lindquist College of Arts and Humanities