Rick Anderson kicks off Spring Visiting Artists Series

^{By: Andrew Mees, Director of College and Athletics Communications                 communications@bloomfield.edu}

Creative Arts and Technology students and faculty welcomed a seasoned design professional to the Westminster Arts Center on Feb. 12, as Fair Use Building and Research (FUBAR) Labs co-founder Rick Anderson presented a lecture to kick off the division’s spring Visiting Artists Series.

“The series brings outstanding minds from across the artistic disciplines to inspire and bring lasting influence to the Bloomfield College community,” CAT professor and Series director Laura Nova said.  “Bringing talented people like Rick to campus is a great way to provide educational opportunities for our students.”

The Director of Virtual Worlds at Rutgers University, Anderson assumes the role of President at FUBAR, a nonprofit corporation and Makerspace that provides a location where people with common interests (usually in computers, technology, science, and crafts) can meet and collaborate.  During his lecture, he discussed his most recent projects, and how open-source hardware and collaboration can be used to impact higher education institutions. 

"Rick Anderson connects real life experiences with his virtual and physical art, and demonstrates a more philosophical approach to even the most technical of projects,” assistant CAT professor Tom Toynton said.  “This is a valuable lesson for our students who are exploring and growing as artists, and looking for ways to express themselves and connect to an audience in a meaningful way."

“It was great to see the Bloomfield College students again,” Anderson said of his stay at the institution. “I've met many at Global Game Jam 2013, Global Game 2014, and (Creative Arts and Technology) Industry Day, so it was great see familiar faces as well as meet new students.  I found everyone to excited by what they do.  I was really inspired by everyone, and that helps me be enthusiastic about my own projects, and get inspiration for my upcoming projects.”

The next installment of the Visiting Artists Series will feature Museum of the Moving Image associate curator Jason Eppink  on Thursday, Mar. 27.  Held in the Westminster Arts Center, the presentation will begin at 4 p.m.  For more information on the Series' next guest, visit jasoneppink.com.