April 06

“SHOW ME THE MUNNY!“ SCAD ILLUSTRATION STUDENT CLUB PRESENTS RECEPTION AND AUCTION AT SAVANNAH MALL

SAVANNAH Georgia (April 6, 2009) -- Originality and whimsy prevail in the contemporary media of Munny fantasy toys that are flying out of showrooms from Miami to Toronto. In the Savannah show, put on by Savannah College of Art and Design illustration students, the themes range from "Sara McDoll," "Mother Earth," "Cletus McGruder," "Maybelline," "Chester," "Professor Butter Bean," "Godiva," to "Dirty Belly." Each illustrated, traditional art canvas is paired with each of nearly 30 original Munny toys.

The novel idea to merge the illustrators' art and retail brings a new twist to Savannah Mall. "The "Munny" exhibit is enormously fun and a win-win for student illustrators and the mall," shares Savannah Mall's marketing manager Senea Crystal.

All of the custom Munny toys are available for purchase during the reception (6PM), exhibit and auction (7PM) on Friday, April 10, 2009, at Savannah Mall. The full exhibit will remain on display through April 2009.

Families are encouraged to attend and to give children an opportunity to meet and talk with the talented illustrators. A portion of the auction proceeds is earmarked to child-related charities in the Savannah area.


ILLUSTRATED ART ON SAVANNAH'S SOUTHSIDE

The SCAD illustration department was ranked as one of the top five innovative programs by Applied Arts magazine in the October 2008 issue. The ranking highlighted universities where educators are preparing students for the changing world of design.

The contemporary "show me the munny!" exhibit is the first of many events that the illustration students are launching at Savannah Mall. "This beautiful, spacious venue gives new audiences a chance to experience some of the innovative talent coming through SCAD," reports Professor Julie Lieberman, Illustration student club adviser.

BEGINNING WITH A TUBBY WHITE CANVAS
The student illustrators began with an endearingly chubby white Munny, which stands 7 inches tall and weighs about 1 pound. "Munny" is a do-it-yourself vinyl toy from the American designer toy company Kidrobot.

The mall is showcasing the students' work at zero cost and is reaching out to introduce even more artisan and select one-off products. For more information, contact Senea Crystal at Savannah Mall -- telephone 912.927.7467 or email .


SAMPLING OF THE ARTISTS AND THEIR WORKS

Jeremy Caldwell :: Munny is "Cletus McGruder"
Jeremy is a senior in Illustration at the Savannah College of Art and Design and will graduate in June 2009. He has been the SOI student club president this past academic year. "I remember my first experience holding a pencil when I was six years old. My aunt was a talented artist herself and she taught me how to hold the pencil to make different kinds of marks on the paper. Sadly a year later she suffered brain damage from an automotive accident and wasn’t able to teach me anymore. But I really enjoyed trying to recreate what was going on in my mind on the page, so I stuck with it."

Cletus McGruder's story is one of wonder and sadness. Once a promising lawyer working at a prestigious law firm in Atlanta he finally got fed up with all the frivolous, faulty coffee-cup lawsuits and set out on his own. He has traveled the world with his trusty balder cap looking for his true passion in life. But it seems his abnormally sized teeth have a negative effect when dealing with first impressions. One person actually tried to hire him to rake his front yard; and no, he did not own any gardening tools. One day, though, while retracing the steps in Sherman's March to the Sea, Cletus came upon a magical pair of suspenders, just hanging on a tree limb. As soon as he put them on he knew things would be different. Now, he travels the country as a motivational speaker telling people about the positive effects suspenders can have on your self-esteem, and how they distract from otherwise unpopular facial deformities.

...........

Cassie Dixon :: Munny is "Maybelline"
Cassie Dixon is a senior in Illustration at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Originally from Las Cruces, New Mexico, she enjoys good Mexican food and desert thunderstorms. Upon graduation, she hopes to work as a successful freelance illustrator, her favorite themes to paint including (but not limited to) children, animals, creatures that don't really exist, and anything that has a toothy smile.

Maybelline the naked Munny loves makeup. With a full head of beautiful, turquoise hair and one large, round eye but no eyelashes, Maybelline longs more than anything to wear mascara. Poor Maybelline, someone needs to buy him some big fluffy fake ones! Maybe he wasn't born with it, but he certainly is Maybelline!

...........

Sarah Marie Burgess :: Munny is "Mother Earth"
Sarah Marie Burgess is a senior at the Savannah College of Art and Design, due to graduate winter, 2010. She will receive her BFA in Illustration and hopes to attend graduate school sometime in the near future. Her style consists of whimsical characters with sophisticated renderings in watercolor, ink or colored pencil.

"Mother Earth" is the spirit that exists in nature. She is the flowers and the trees, the wind and the water. Her will is strong and her arms are open to her all her children. But Mother Earth's children have wronged her: they have burned her, broken her, and trashed her. Her children have forgotten their promise. They have forgotten to cherish her. They have forgotten the smell of clean air. They have forgotten the touch of grass under their feet and the sound of birds is the trees. "They" are us. We are her children and we have forgotten what Mother Earth has given us. Remember her and treasure her; we only have one.

...........

Merisha Lemmer :: Munny is "Dirty Belly"
Merisha Lemmer graduated in March 2009 with a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Illustration. She was born and made the country of Sonoma County, California, her home. She is an artist through and through. At the age of 5 she did family portraits, the most famous contained no bodies, yet everyone had an abundance of leg hair. She always uses vibrant colors to express her favorite emotion, happiness. Merisha’s passion for illustrating children's books was brought on by her favorite author/illustrator and hero, Patricia Polacco, who writes about life on her farm where she does art with kids. Merisha is very playful and loves kids and would like to do something similar with her life. She would like to make books for learning, books that will inspire. She would also love to illustrate books for publishers of Native American stories, keeping her Choctaw heritage alive.

Dirty Belly is a Native American warrior doll. He was inspired by the Apache tribe's tale of the outcast who won the respect of their chief. The design on this doll was taken from the Chickasaw tribe. Dirty Belly is a valiant warrior who cares for his people and respects his elders. He uses his spear to kill the buffalo and provide food for his tribe. Even though he was an outcast he never gave up and eventually he prevailed. He teaches us to never give up and miracles can happen.
...........

Danielle Feliciano :: Munny is "Sara McDoll"
Danielle Feliciano is a senior illustration student at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Originally from the warm shores of Virginia Beach, Virginia, she is an aspiring book illustrator. Danielle, being a lover of antiques, has a passion for collecting Eastern silks and old photographs. She tries to incorporate both a sense of mystery and nostalgic warmth in her artwork, through the use of delicate pattern and ethereal imagery.

Sara McDoll is a very proper lady, always eager join you for tea. Although she can't walk on her own or even drink tea, she makes a fine companion or an even better centerpiece. A virtual tea fanatic, she has taken to decorate her once blank surface with elegant china patterns from all over the world. "You can serve Chinese green tea or English Earl Grey, but it's just ain't tea unless you serve it in a properly decadent cup!" is her favorite famous saying. Well, perhaps it's not a real famous quote, but don't tell Sara. She can get a little steamed-up under the lid!

...........

Meredith Lear :: Munny is "Godiva"
Meredith Lear is a native of Kentucky, growing up in the small town of Burgin (population 900). Upon graduation from Burgin High School in 2005, she enrolled in the Savannah College of Art and Design. Meredith chose to attend an art school because she had an overwhelming passion, and wanted to become immersed in the arts. After one year at SCAD and an inspiring professor she chose to major in Illustration. That decision was based on her belief that "art for print" is the true "art for everyone." Meredith's goal is to make her artwork accessible to all, not just exclusive to galleries. Following graduation in May 2009 she will return to Kentucky to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree, while beginning her career as a freelance illustrator.

"Godiva" and the altered print of "The Last Supper," by Da Vinci are intended to be an installation set. Godiva, the gourmet chocolate bunny has had his ear bitten off by Jesus in the framed image that hangs behind him. The bunny has caramel filling dripping from his ear and foil around his feet. In the image Jesus is guilty with chocolate on his hands and mouth, while Easter eggs surround the subjects on the table. Godiva chocolates are meals fit for a King. I was inspired by Easter being right around the corner and my continual love for food and pastry arts.


ABOUT SAVANNAH MALL

Savannah Mall is a one million square foot shopping mall that opened in July 1990 in Savannah, Georgia. With new ownership (2007), today the mall has six anchors of Bass Pro Shops, Burlington Coat Factory, Dillard's, Target and A.C. Moore. There are approximately 100 stores, including a new Victoria Secret, Gap/Gap Kids, Lane Bryant, Texas Roadhouse, Ruby Tuesday, Bath & Body Works, Claire's, Cold Stone Creamery, Foot Locker, Spencer's Gifts, and more. A food court is on the upper level of the mall and features a carousel, the only permanent carousel in the Savannah market. At the newly expanded Center Court a variety of different functions take place from fashion and flower shows, educational art exhibits to Santa Claus at Christmas. Telephone 912-927-7467, 14045 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31419, Email info [at] savannahmall [dot] com; http://www.savannahmall.com


SCAD: THE UNIVERSITY FOR CREATIVE CAREERS

With more degree programs and specializations than any other art and design university in the United States, the Savannah College of Art and Design is uniquely qualified to prepare talented students for professional, creative careers. SCAD is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution that offers a choice of degree programs in 42 different majors, plus 52 minors. Students can pursue their degrees at campuses in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia, in Lacoste, France, and online through SCAD-eLearning. The career preparation of each student is nurtured and cultivated by nearly 500 full-time professors with extraordinary academic credentials and valuable professional experience.

Named one of "America's Best Colleges" and one of "America's Best Graduate Schools" by U.S. News and World Report, and one of the nation's "Most Interesting Schools" by Kaplan-Newsweek, SCAD confers Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Architecture, Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Fine Arts and Master of Urban Design degrees.