Homecoming 2012 will feature the work of 4 talented Southwestern College artists.  Artwork by James Borger '82 that integrates still life and the natural world will be exhibited in Pounds Lounge in the Roy L. Smith Student Center.  Throughout the weekend, the President's Gallery in Darbeth Fine Arts Center will feature artwork by three talented Moundbuilders from the class of 1977:  Mike Fell, Lynn (Watkins) Felts, and Sulinda (Baker) Fogle.  The displays will be open from Thursday evening, October 11, through Sunday afternoon, October 14. Watch this website for bios on all four of these talented artists.

James Borger '82

James Borger received a Bachelor of Arts, with an emphasis in studio painting, from Southwestern College in 1982.  He continued his education at Wichita State University, taking graphic design classes through 1984.  James has been working in the graphic design industry since 1984.  He has been employed at Pioneer Balloon Company since 1985, where he is presently Executive Art Director of Product.

James has continued to paint and exhibit locally and regionally.  His work is in private and public collections across the country.  His recent artistic direction has explored the still life moved outdoors in front of expansive Midwestern landscapes and skies.  For lack of a better term, he coins this direction "Stillscapes".

"I have attemped to create still lifes that are a natural extension of the landscape, stripping down the foreground components to represent simplified, utilitarian groupings that find symbolism in our social fabric and agrarian culture.  The fragile fruit rest on draped fabrics mimicking the folds and planes of the land and uniting the still life objects to the land.  It is important for the works to be believable but also house a spirituality that transcends the pictorial subject matter.  In some cases the still life objects take on a metaphoric or even an anthropomorphic meaning, providing commentary and exposing an undercurrent to the contemplative paintings."

James is represented by the Leopold Gallery in Kansas City, MO, as well as the Strecker-Nelson Gallery in Manhattan, KS.  He has also exhibited in the Wichita area.

Some examples of James's work:

Sun Kissed by James Borger

Red, Green, Gold by James Borger

Traverse by James Borger

A Touch of Light by James Borger

Ethereal Sustenance by James Borger