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HUNTINGTON UNIV MAGAZINE

Digital Media Arts professors to showcase work

FOR RELEASE September 27, 2005
HUNTINGTON, IN—Huntington University’s new digital media arts faculty will showcase their work in an upcoming Robert E. Wilson Gallery exhibit, Character and Motion: The Works of Bryan Ballinger and Stephan Leeper.  The exhibit will run from October 10 to November 4.  An  artist’s reception will be held for Ballinger and Leeper on October 27 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., in the Wilson Gallery. 

Bryan Ballinger, visiting instructor of digital media arts, will show both 2-D and 3-D illustrations from his 15-year career in digital media, including work for children’s books, ads, posters, videos, as well as personal work. Ballinger holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Columbus College of Art and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Lesley University.  He worked at Microsoft as a digital illustrator and designer before becoming the 3D Design Lead at Big Idea Productions, the creators of Veggie Tales.  As a freelance illustrator, Ballinger’s client list includes Scholastic, Nintendo, Disney and Harley Davidson.

Steve Leeper, instructor of digital media arts, will showcase his animation.  His works explore themes such as wonder, the sacred, and childhood.  “In an age where knowledge is always increasing, I find myself drawn to simpler things that elude our sense of reason,” Leeper said.  “Story and animation seem to be the perfect playground to explore such themes, to discover God in all the mysteries that we haven’t yet trapped into our personal politics or textbook theology.”

Leeper holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Museum School of Fine Arts in Boston.  He is the animator and director of two short animated films: Please Don’t Feed the Animals and Traveling Show, both of which have enjoyed international exposure.  Leeper has previously worked at Big Idea Productions, serving as layout supervisor for numerous productions including the feature film, Jonah, a Veggie Tales Movie.  Leeper is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts degree through the Art Institute of Boston.

Art exhibits at the Huntington University Robert E. Wilson Gallery can be viewed from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and before and after all Merillat Center for the Arts performances.  Admission is free of charge. For more information on gallery exhibits, contact Rebecca Coffman, Gallery Director, at (260) 359-4272 or visit www.huntington.edu/mca.

Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S.News & World Report ranks Huntington among the top comprehensive colleges in the Midwest. Founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington University is located on a contemporary, lakeside campus in northeast Indiana. The University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and in 2004 was named one of the 50 best Christian places to work by Christianity Today magazine.

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