Ben Van Dyke

Ben Van Dyke, BFA Kendall College of Art & Design, MFA University of Michigan. In 2006, Van Dyke was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to the Netherlands where he was artist in residence at NLXL in The Hague. During this time, he lent his talents to the implementation of experimental practices for the ministries of education and culture with an analysis on the cultural implications of design. He has continued his research through site-specific installations of experimental typography. He has been invited to exhibit his work across North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Van Dyke recently joined the faculty in the Department of Art, Art History and Design at Michigan State University. He also serves as Vice President of DesignInquiry — a non-profit design collective focused on research and education.

JOSHUA UNIKEL

Joshua Unikel works in graphic design, creative writing, and hybrid forms. His writing has been published in The Journal, Sonora Review, Fugue, TriQuarterly Online, The Collagist, [PANK], kill author, and numerous other national journals. His art has been shown at The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit and The Alchemical Theatre, Manhattan. Unikel has lectured on art and writing at The University of Oregon, Stony Brook Manhattan, and Carnegie Mellon University. Currently, he serves as the assistant editor of the Seneca Review and graphics editor of Hobart and William Smith Colleges Press. He has an MFA in visual art from The University at Buffalo’s Department of Art and an MFA in creative writing from The University of Iowa’s Nonfiction Writing Program.

Work by Ben Van Dyke

Work by Joshua Unikel

Key dates and deadlines

• Application deadline (EXTENDED): May 25^st, 2015
• Acceptance notifications: no later than early June
• Payment due: July 1, 2015
• Participant Arrival: July 23-24, 2015
• Workshop Dates: July 24-August 2, 2015
• Departure: August 2, 2015

The cost of the workshop is $550.00.

The fee includes housing, dinners, and related workshop supplies.

For those interested, the workshop can be taken for 3 hours of college credit. Students pay tuition and fees, plus a program fee for expenses. Non-EMU students seeking college credit must apply to the university as a continuing education student in order to get college-level credit. .

Supplies and Materials

Some supplies and materials specific to the workshop will be provided for all participants. It is recommended that all participants bring general art making supplies. Participants are also encouraged to bring any other materials and supplies they may find useful in tackling their projects.

Location

Parsons Center

The Eastern Michigan University's Jean Noble Parsons Center has sleeping lodge units that include two beds, chairs, dressers, and closets. Guests should plan to bring their own sleeping bags, sheets, blankets, pillows and towels, as well as personal items like soap and shampoo.

Getting there

• Flights are available to Traverse City from Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Delta Airlines, US Air, and United Airlines.
• It takes five hours to drive from Ann Arbor to Lake Ann.
• If there are enough participants arriving at Detroit Metro Airport, the organizers will assist in arranging transportation to the Parson's Center.

Lodging

The Sleeping Lodge, which typically sleeps 12, is six units with two to three beds, closets, dressers and chairs in each unit. Each unit has a separate entrance with a view of the woods. Platform tent sites furnished with cots are also available. Restroom/washroom facilites, with men's and women's showers, are located in the Dining Hall. Participants must provide their own bedding and linens—sheets, pillows, towels, etc.

Meals and Dining

Dinner will be communal style, cooked by members of the workshop. Lunch and breakfast will be on your own, though some basic staples are provided. The Dining Hall is equipped with stove, microwave, refrigerator, dual ovens, dishwasher and icemaker. Nearby Traverse City and Lake Ann provide adequate access to groceries. Please notify the workshop coordinators of any specific dietary restrictions.

• Application: interactive pdf*, non-interactive pdf
• 2015 poster
• 2015 postcard

* interactive pdf may not work properly in Safari's default browser or Preview.

Images from Past Workshops
& Comments and testimonials

"The diversity of art forms provides the openest attitude to me of what art/books could be. The process of thinking opens up possibilities to different solutions."

"Conceptual rigor and, conversely, serious play, were values upheld."

"The team at the workshop was very engaging, questions were asked regularly and new devices were developed in a very constructive manner."

"My favorite part of the workshop was the morning sessions. It was a time to try new things and get out of your normal thinking space."

 

The Open Book Project book

Additional work from previous workshops can be found in The Open Book Project book available at openbookproject.info. The book will be available for sale late May or early June 2014.

For more information contact:

• Leslie Atzmon, latzmon@emich.edu
• Ryan Molloy, mryan7@emich.edu

Promotional materials designed by Kayla Aliemenious, Sara Bowen, Alex Day, and Scott Rider as part of Eastern Michigan University's Graphic Design Practicum studio.