Stepping into the warm gallery full of smiling faces on the evening of Oct. 30 was far from spooky—even with Halloween right around the corner. Bold colors and shining metal hang from the walls inside Janine Contemporary with admirers all around. Don Kennell, a former College of Santa Fe professor, is the mastermind behind the intricate metal work. Alongside Kennell is his right hand man, Zach Greer; they work together out of Kennell’s backyard studio. They’ve been working for months to create a gallery’s worth of top-notch work and they did not disappoint. A theme throughout ‘Truth & Beauty’ is animals and more specifically, birds. These large birds mostly made from steel, sheet metal or found signs are quite impressive. A personal favorite of Kennell’s is a smaller steel bird with accents of a deep red auto lacquer titled “Ruby.” It’s no coincidence Kennell has a daughter named Ruby and is also quite the family man. A crowd favorite is a piece titled “Composition.” The piece is made up of four separate puzzle pieces of welded steel, gears, chains and other car parts. Each of the four pieces also includes a main element of either a violin, bird, fish or turtle. “It was just one of those pieces that I didn’t know if it would work or not and it ends up being one of the best,” says Kennell. “I’m proud of it, that’s for sure.” One of Kennell’s more popular works is the Blue Gorilla that was set up in Santa Fe’s Railyard Park for a few weeks in February of 2015 before being relocated to the Philadelphia Zoo. Another one of Kennell’s more widely known pieces is Big Bear. After being commissioned by Coachella Music Festival, Kennel, Greer, and some other helping hands constructed the 20’ x 20’ x 15’ giant using steel, LED lights, glass eyes, a disco ball and a painted porch swing. It’s safe to say that Kennell’s work is inspiring for students and intriguing for all. See more at...
You’ve Got Mail
posted by Bego Aznar
SFUAD post office employee Zach Greer gives the low down on making sure the mail is ready on time, every day.
Outside with Zach
posted by Clara Hittel
If any SFUAD students are itching to hit the slopes this winter, Zach Greer is the man to see. Director of the Outdoor Recreation Program at the Driscoll Fitness Center since the spring semester of 2012 and a graduate of the College of Santa Fe himself, Greer truly loves the activities he takes students out to do. A lot.
Ski Santa Fe, SFUAD!
posted by Clara Hittel
By Clara Hittel/Photos by Sandra Schoenenstein At 7:30 on a Saturday morning, I parked my car and trudged over to the Driscoll Fitness Center. If this is how early students have to leave to go to Ski Santa Fe, it’s no wonder they aren’t willing to wake up in time to go to Taos or Angel Fire. A few kids sat around the picnic table out front, adjusting to the chill outside in preparation for the slopes rather than huddling inside with hands wrapped around warm mugs of coffee in fear of the cold. I joined them at the table. The conversation I entered into was about what snow-appropriate garments we were lacking. Some people needed gloves, others hats. The immediate camaraderie of the trip goers was cheering so early in the morning. People began offering clothing and advice. I needed waterproof pants, as I have sadly outgrown my own super-official snowboarding pants. Sandra Duran graciously lent me her spare pair. The Feb. 2 journey up to the mountaintop felt like a summer-camp outing to a lake or other body of water where warm-weather activities might take place. The sun had risen with a vengeance and the radio offered what I would consider beach jams, such as Knee Deep (Feat. Jimmy Buffet) by the Zac Brown Band and Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. Then again, we were all in parkas and woolen hats, and as we gained elevation the snow finally made its appearance. Pine branches drooped around us, burdened with winter, festively welcoming the line of cars that slowly ascended the mountain. My thoughts turned to ski trips of the past as the alpine scene crawled past my window. Growing up on the East Coast, my parents took me to the...
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