Bryan Warner

Bryan Warner is a working artist whose primary medium is wood. He resides in the Jackson Purchase region of Western Kentucky where he makes art furniture, lathe turned objects and sculpture. In his functional craft and artwork the beauty lies in the craftsmanship, materials,and shape as it relates to the use of the object as well as being part of a theme. The themes include, but are not limited to environmental, regional, family and historical designs.

Mr. Warner has served on the board of the Murray Art Guild for four years. Working with numerous committees and as vice-president and president . He has taught in the community college, high school, middle school and grade school systems. Including all grade levels as well as 3-dimensional design classes with school age children at the Murray Art Guild. Mr. Warner holds a B.S. in science and a B.F.A. with an emphasis in functional and sculptural design from Murray State University, Murray, KY. He pursued graduate studies in Art History at the University of Kentucky while employed at the University Art Museum. While there he was able to work with the staff in various positions such as curator, registrar, and preparator.

Mr. Warner participates in group shows as well as competitions statewide and nationally.

The goal of this residency is to make our own personal totem poles. By studying and appropriating native cultural traditions from the American Indians we will gain an in depth understanding of their cultural traditions which will add to our understanding and appreciation of our own.

The artist will introduce Native American totem pole history and iconography through slide or handout lectures. Discussion topics will include meaning of totem pole symbols and their  relationship to the whole Indian culture such as family and tribal customs.

Next we will explore our own personal and present day symbols and their meanings through drawing, modeling of clay, and follow with discussion.

These expressions of individual creativity will be brought to fruition with both individual  instruction and student collaboration. The use of materials such as wood stands, Styrofoam, hot glue, paper mache, and paint will be demonstrated .We will use these materials along with our newly discovered personal symbols and construct totem poles of an appropriate size.

At the conclusion of the projects we will have a group discussion of the finished pieces. The artist via digital camera or video may document all stages of the project.

The final effort will be a presentation of the class projects accomplished by a reception and/or media article.