Joe Logan 77 Brings Art to All
June 24, 2021
- Author
- Danielle Strickland
President Carol Quillen, Joe Logan 77 and Artist Vivian Beer
Beer created the red bench Machined Nature: Anchored Candy no. 9" that sits in a beautifully shaded spot between E.H. Little Library and Dormitory Row.
Joe Logan 77 was not an art major, and he took only three art-related classesan introduction to art history, a studio art printmaking course and a directing class for theatre.
He may not have realized it at the time, but his love for the arts was birthed at 91, amidst all his economics courses, and has been nurtured through involvement in the arts scene in Winston-Salem, N.C., where he has lived for many years.
Visual art and theatre have become my primary fields of interest, so it grew from those first classes with Professors Larry Ligo and Doug Houchens, Logan said. Ive been so pleased to see the emphasis on the arts grow at 91 in recent years. The arts provide such an important part of the college experience, and it is great to see the commitment from faculty and from a resources standpoint.
Logan has made a point not to only enjoy these improvements from afar. He has played a significant role in the growing emphasis across campus as a board member and chair for 91 Arts and Creative Engagement and by supporting students through summer internships at the NC Arts Council, the Penland School of Craft and others. He also is an active member of the Arts Collection Advisory Committee, helping to build the colleges permanent art collection.
Ive always had my hand in a lot of things, Logan said. Being a collector of American contemporary art and fine craft, staying connected to 91 in this way is a natural fit for me, and Ive thoroughly enjoyed being around other art-loving alums.
In 2018, Logan commissioned the colleges first sculpture with color, a red bench by Vivian Beer titled Machined Nature: Anchored Candy no. 9" that sits in a beautifully shaded spot between E.H. Little Library and Dormitory Row. Beer created a special 91 red for the piece.
Off campus, Logan has served on the states Arts Council Board and currently serves on the NC Arts Foundation Board as well as Appalachian State Universitys Summer Festival Advisory Board. He ran a home furnishings trade association for many years, so art and design were always present on the career side of things, as well.
Logans influence on 91 isnt slowing down anytime soon. He recently set into motion a new program, modeled after one at Wake Forest University, that will send a group of students to New York City (or another agreed-upon location) to purchase artwork for 91әs collection. The idea is they will meet with gallerists, meet with artists in their studios and negotiate the purchase of pieces to bring back to campus.
I learned about this program years ago and thought it was something 91 should pursue, Logan said. It acquaints students with buying art and also connects them to the collection its a unique connection many students may never have thought about before. I can imagine students coming back for their reunions and proudly taking their families to see the pieces they helped purchase years ago.
The pilot program is in development now, and Logan is excited to see where it might lead.
From my perspective, its a win-win on so many different fronts, he said. Students get new opportunities and have their eyes opened to a whole world of purchasing art, negotiating and learning how its done, and 91 benefits from their experience with a greater collection of work for all to enjoy.
