Art Department Presents New Exhibition, ‘Chris Melia: A Journey to Dinner,' to Open Sept. 5

Art Department Presents New Exhibition, ‘Chris Melia: A Journey to Dinner,’ to Open Sept. 5

Posted August 21, 2013

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The University’s Department of Art will present the opening reception for a new exhibition titled “Chris Melia: A Journey to Dinner” on Thursday, Sept.5, from 5-7 p.m. in the Weil Gallery in the Center for Arts. The exhibit will be on display through Saturday, Oct 5.

“A Journey to Dinner” showcases pieces used in the preparation and serving of meals throughout the day. For Melia, the exhibition is a metaphor for moving through various stages of life. He hopes to remind those who view his pieces to slow down, find beauty in the mundane, and savor each meal they enjoy along the way.

“Chris is an excellent example of focus and motivation for our students,” said Louis Katz, Professor of Art. “He is regularly invited to contribute to prominent national exhibitions of functional ceramics.”

The reception will give Melia an opportunity to explain his inspiration for creating the pieces within the showcase. This will also be a time for visitors to ask questions and discuss the art with Melia himself.

Melia, who graduated from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics in 2006, is currently a teacher at Little Elm High School in Little Elm, Texas.

Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The reception and exhibit are free and open to the public.

alumnus, Art Exhibit, Chris Melia

Russell Wagner

My name is Russell Wagner and I am the Executive Director of Alumni Relations for Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. I am originally from the small town of Shiner, Texas and began attending Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in Fall 2004. During my time as a student I was a volunteer tour guide and worked for the Island Waves Student Newspaper. I proudly earned my degree in Media Communication and received a minor in Public Relations in 2008 graduating Summa Cum Laude. I joined the University on a professional level immediately after graduation as an Admissions Counselor and Recruiter. I joined the Division of Institutional Advancement in Fall 2012 as an Alumni & Development Officer for the College of Liberal Arts. I was appointed to Director of Engagement in June 2015. As Director of Engagement, I oversee and implement the University’s alumni relations and engagement efforts with the community to create financial, personnel, and athletic support for the Island University. I also act as the Executive Director of the National Islander Alumni Association, Executive Director of the Young Business Professionals of the Coastal Bend, and oversee the Student Foundation Association, a student philanthropy group at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. I reside in Corpus Christi with my wife, Kelsey. She is an also an alumnae from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi’s outstanding College of Nursing & Health Sciences Nursing program. She currently works as a Registered Nurse at Driscoll Children’s Hospital. In our spare time we enjoy the outdoors, spending time with friends and family, traveling, and taking in the unique events that the Coastal Bend has to offer.