User:AdrianeStevanov

Zoran Stevanov(June 25, 1945 - September 4, 2018) was an American artist and ground breaking professor of art, ceramics, sculpture, and photography. He was well known for his works in acrylic paints, and mixed medias. His painted works include both free form and geometric. He was skilled at painting eastern European style icons typically featured in golden leaf. He was also known for his works in sculpture, especially in bronze format. In photography, he specialized in solarized prints and photographs that were underwater. During his lifetime, Stevanov enjoyed considerable notoriety. He developed both the Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts photography degrees for Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. He created virtual programs for photography, art history, and art education for FHSU. He also developed the Survey of Art History course for SIAS International University in Henan, China. SIAS is the first solely American owned post-secondary school in central China. Regarded as an innovator, Stevanov was a multi-faceted artist that also started the sabre fencing club from 1994 to 2015; and the Japanese kendo martial arts club at FHSU. He was a national fencing qualifier in 1982. Stevanov often avoided using modern electric fencing equipment in order to preserve technique and form. He often drew parallels between fencing and tennis with back hands to back cuts. Also during his lifetime, Stevanov taught courses in art history from prehistoric to renaissance to 20th century; photography; art appreciation; sculpture; painting; design; graphic design; art therapy; drawing; and elementary art education. Stevanov died at the age of 73 from complications of atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease while SCUBA diving at the Blue Hole of Santa Rosa in New Mexico. Early Life (1945 -1967) Zoran Stevanov was born in Novi Sad, Serbia in 1945, an only child. His parents, Julia and Gabriel Stevanov, were born and grew up in Serbia, and were educated there. His mother is buried in Orlando, Florida after immigrating with her husband and son to America many years later. His father had been a dentist while joining the Royal Yugoslav Army. Julia and Gabriel Stevanov were Eastern Orthodox Christians. They were of Serbian descent. Post World War II was difficult and his parents decided to immigrate to America when Zoran was two years old. The laws at the time forced them to spend three years in Italy before entering America. After refusing placements of immigration to Canada and then Australia; they held on to their dream and were able to finally immigrate to America. After immigrating to Detroit, Michigan, Gabriel Stevanov worked at the General Motors factory. He worked there for 10 years, during his childhood, until the fateful day while on board an airplane, he was seated next to a man that worked for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Gabriel himself was a very talented artist, and the conversation ensued to a future job interview with the man with whom he was seated next to. Gabriel did not have a portfolio of art to show during the job interview, so he brought his paintings of seascapes to his interview at NASA. Gabriel was hired as an illustrator for NASA subsequently becoming friends with Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon. They then relocated to Orlando, Florida. When Gabriel became a widower after the death of Julia, he remarried his second wife, Mary. They had two sons, Neil and Eric. Neil had been named after Neil Armstrong. Julia was a homemaker. Julia also had artistic talent. She painted ceramics, and did needlepoint. Julia was very supportive of Zoran when he became a SCUBA diver as a teenager. Zoran became one of the first certified SCUBA divers in the state of Florida at the age of sixteen. Zoran said, “The sport just started and I happened to be there. It was a dream come true.” He enjoyed SCUBA diving in the caves and springs in Florida. Zoran had been SCUBA diving when the equipment had first been created. He had told stories of using milk jugs to ascend into water. In 2004, he obtained his technical cave diver certification. He then made dives all over the world from the cenotes in Mexico to sunken ships in the South Pacific Ocean. As an adult, Stevanov developed a passion for playing tennis and skiing. While living in Orlando, Florida, he enrolled in Ann L. Seese High School, from which he ran track and joined the swimming team. He was an altar boy at St. George Orthodox Church. During his early life, Stevanov contemplated becoming an Orthodox priest while attending church with his parents. In 1964, while still living with his parents, they moved to Boca Raton, Florida where he studied at Florida Atlantic University. Stevanov majored in art with a minor in art history. In the early 1960s, Stevanov was an art instructor at the Boca Raton Art Guild. From 1968 until 1970, Stevanov was an art instructor at the Institute of Logopedics in Wichita, Kansas. He then taught as in instructor of art at Emporia State University from 1970 to 1973. In 1973, he was a professor of art at FHSU until his death. While at FHSU, he was the gallery director from 1973 to 1987; and then again from 1990 to 1991. In this position, he was the chairman and creator of the Kansas National Small Painting, Drawing, and Print Exhibition, which he obtained a grant in 1984 to continue this exhibition. He was on the faculty senate as an art department senator from 1984 to 1986. He was also on the university faculty senate executive committee from 1985 to 1986. Stevanov was part of the faculty senate student affairs committee in 1986. From 1986 to 1987, Stevanov was on the faculty orientation and reorientation committee. He belonged to the traffic committee from 1986 to 1988. From 1990 to 1991, he was chairman of the curriculum committee. In 1991 to 1992, he was chairman of the art department planning committee; and he became a member of the art sales committee. During those years, he also was a member of the student court. In 1970, Stevanov obtained a Master of Fine Arts degree from Wichita State University. He majored in sculpture with a minor in painting. He obtained his Doctor of Philosophy degree on May 16, 1982 at the University of Kansas. His major was in visual art education. The title of his doctor’s dissertation was ‘A Study of Three Instructional Procedures in the Teaching of Art Survey to Non-art Majors on the College Level.’ Career (1968 - 2016) Stevanov was commissioned by the state of Kansas in 1971 to create and build a fountain sculpture for the William Allen White Library at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. The sculpture was made of wood, chrome and fiberglass. From 1968 to 1970, Stevanov worked as an instructor of clinical arts for the Institute of Logopedics in Wichita, Kansas. Stevanov received a graduate council research grant to paint four large acrylic paintings for Fort Hays State University in 1986. In 1987, Stevanov received another graduate council research grant this time creating two large non-traditional media sculptures for FHSU. Research Stevanov performed his art research by actually visiting the countries that he taught about. He researched art in France, England, Italy, Switzerland, Serbia, Greece, and Mexico. Stevanov wrote Basic 35 mm Photograph: A Creative Approach. He became a member of the College Art Association in 1978 and belonged until his death. His work was shown at the National Exhibition of Drawing and Sculpture in Muncie, Indiana in 1967. On June 8, 1967 Stevanov received second place at the first Festival of Arts at Lauderhill in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. That year, he also exhibited his work at the Annual State Exhibition in Osceola, Florida. Later Years and Death (2017-2018) Stevanov did not paint at all in 2017 and 2018. On September 4, 2018 at 6:00 a.m., Stevanov died from complications of atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He had been SCUBA diving at the Blue Hole of Santa Rosa, New Mexico on September 2, 2018. His SCUBA partner, Matthew Carver, was with him. Carver was his former student in both art and fencing. Carver swam him to shore. For the rest of his life, Carver has vowed to ensure that his reputation remain strong despite changing art world trends. Artistry One and Two Man Exhibitions In 1968, Stevanov had a one man show at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. In 1971, he had a one man show at Marymount College in Salina, Kansas. The following year, he had another one man show at the College of Emporia in Emporia, Kansas. That same year, he had a two man show at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. In 1973, Stevanov had a two man show at Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas. That year he had another two man show at the Gallery of Fine Arts in Topeka, Kansas. In 1980, Stevanov had a two man show at the Hutchinson Art Association in Hutchinson, Kansas. In 1991, Stevanov had a Sabbatical Exhibition at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. Invitational and Group Exhibitions In 1969, Stevanov had an invitational exhibition at the Coffman Art Gallery at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1970, Stevanov was part of a four man exhibition at Emporia Community Arts in Emporia, Kansas. Starting in 1973 and until his death, Stevanov participated in the annual faculty exhibition for the department of art at FHSU. In 1975, Stevanov had an invitational exhibition at the Lynn Kottler Gallery in New York, New York. That same year, he had another invitational exhibition at the Paula Insel Gallery in Ponce, Puerto, Rico. In 1977, Stevanov had an invitational exhibition for the Mobile Gallery called ‘Kansas Art’, which became a one year traveling show starting in Wichita, Kansas. Also in that year, he was invited to show his work at the Kansas State Invitational Art Exhibition in Topeka, Kansas. In 1982, Stevanov showcased his work in an individual exhibition at the Diplomat Art Gallery in Miami Beach, Florida. In 1983, Stevanov once again had an invitational exhibition for the Paula Insel Gallery but this time in New York, New York. That same year, he had an invitational exhibition called ‘Smoky Hill Retrospect of Award Winners’, in Hays, Kansas. 1n 1986 and in 1991, Stevanov showcased his work at the Hays Arts Council Invitational Exhibition in Hays, Kansas. Critical Debate His work has been the subject of important critical debates. Art critic, Ruth Tager, covered the art scene for the Boca Raton News. She wrote in the May 19, 1968 Sunday’s edition about Stevanov during his senior year at Florida Atlantic University. Stevanov had a showing of his artwork of paintings and sculpture in the university library. Tager wrote, ‘His work is abstract. Much of it in deep tones of blues and reds. He first works the canvas like a collage building up the surface texture with materials glued to it. Then paints over the whole. His abstract forms are organic rather than geometric. An effect he heightens by accenting some of the areas with black. For those who like to read a subject into a painting, it is easy to discern trees, water and other items as the forms flow across his canvases. One or two paintings, such as the oil and collage ‘Trees on a Hill’, depart from the rest both in the colors orange, red, yellow, green; and the recognizable subject. His alabaster and lead sculptures have an air of solidity and cohesion. The two ‘Found’, sculptures perhaps because of the shiny enamel surfaces were less pleasing. Stevanov has created a number of collages utilizing three dimensional objects which protrude from the flat surfaces like abstract bas reliefs. The whole painted in solid colors. The effect is of lunar landscapes limited only by the imagination of the artist and the viewer. During 1967 and 1968, this artist’s work has been accepted in 16 juried exhibitions and he has received awards. Certainly a promising beginning for an art career!’ Legacy Impact In 1968, Stevanov won first prize at the Annual State Exhibition in Hollywood, Florida. He exhibited his work at the National Art Exhibition in Savannah, Georgia. He won third prize at the National Art Exhibition in Winter Park, Florida. Stevanov also entered the All Florida Undergraduate Competition which became a tour of Florida state colleges and universities. In 1969, Stevanov was in the Annual Missouri Valley Drawing Competition in Topeka, Kansas. In 1970, Stevanov showed his work at the Annual Regional Exhibition in Springfield, Missouri. In 1971, Stevanov exhibited his work at the Annual State Exhibition in Hays, Kansas. He also showed his work at the National Annual Exhibition for the Monroe Art Museum in Monroe, Louisiana. He also exhibited his work at the Noncoastal Flatland Sculpture Show in Wichita, Kansas. In 1972, Stevanov exhibited his work at the Kansas Artists Craftsmen Association at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. He also showed his work at the Kansas Biennial Art Exhibition in Lindsborg, Kansas. In 1974, Stevanov won the cash award at the Annual State Exhibition in Great Bend, Kansas. That year, he also showed his work at the Eight State Annual Exhibition in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In 1975, Stevanov exhibited his work at the Annual State Exhibition for the Wichita Art Museum in Wichita, Kansas. On July 7, 1976 Stevanov was best in show at the Art Incorporated State Exhibition in Great Bend, Kansas. He also won first prize at the Russell Original Art Review in Russell, Kansas. In 1977, Stevanov won second prize at the Smoky Hill State Exhibition in Hays, Kansas. He won first prize at the Russell Original Art Review in Russell, Kansas. He won second prize at the Art Incorporated State Exhibition in Great Bend, Kansas. In 1978, Stevanov exhibited his work at the National Art Exhibition in Cedar City, Utah. He showed his work at the Kansas Annual Art Exhibition in Sterling, Kansas. In 1979, Stevanov won second prize at the State Exhibition in Salina, Kansas. He won second prize at the Russell Original Art Review in Russell, Kansas. In 1980, Stevanov exhibited his work at the Central State Exposition in Pratt, Kansas. In 1981, Stevanov showed his work at the governor’s exhibition as the Kansas Artist Show in Topeka, Kansas. In 1984, Stevanov exhibited his work at the Art Incorporated State Exhibition in Great Bend, Kansas. That same year, he exhibited his work at the International Photography Exhibition in Commerce, Texas. He also showed his work at the Joslin Biennial National Exhibition in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1985, Stevanov showed his work at the annual Phi, Theta, and Kappa Six State Competitive Exhibition in McCook, Nebraska. He also featured his work at the Dakota Artists Guild National Art Competition in Rapid City, South Dakota. In 1986, Stevanov exhibited his work at the International Juried Art Competition in Harrison, New York. That year, he also showed his work at the Rockford International Exhibition in Rockford, Illinois. In 1987, Stevanov featured his work at the Smoky Hill State Exhibition in Hays, Kansas. That year, he won first prize at the Russell Original Art Review in Russell, Kansas. He also showed his work at the Springfield Art League National Exhibition in West Springfield, Maryland. That same year he also exhibited his work at the Annual Open National Juried Photographic Exhibition for the Greenwich Art Gallery in Greenwich, Connecticut. In 1988, Stevanov showed his work at the Five State Photography Exhibition in Hays, Kansas. He also exhibited his work at the Second Annual Catalina Island Underwater Photographic Exhibition in Avalon, California. He exhibited his work for the Smoky Hill State Exhibition for the Hays Arts Council in Hays, Kansas. He won first prize at the Russell Original Art Review in Russell, Kansas. In 1989, Stevanov again exhibited his work at the Five State Photography Exhibition for the Hays Arts Council in Hays, Kansas. He won honorable mention in sculpture and photography at the Russell Original Art Review in Russell, Kansas. That same year, he showed his work at the Smoky Hill State Exhibition for the Hays Arts Council in Hays, Kansas. In 1991, Stevanov again exhibited his work at the Five State Photography Exhibition for the Hays Arts Council in Hays, Kansas. He also exhibited his work at the Smoky Hill State Exhibition for the Hays Arts Council in Hays, Kansas. Lectures and Workshops In 1989, Stevanov conducted a photography workshop for the Hays Arts Council in Hays, Kansas. That same year he gave a special lecture titled, ‘Honors History Society’, for FHSU. In 1990, he lectured for the Hill City Junior High School in Hill City, Kansas with another special lecture inspiring young students titled, ‘Underwater Photography’, stemming from his combined passion for SCUBA diving and underwater photography. In 1991, Stevanov continued inspiring young photographers by conducting a Youths Photography Workshop for the Hays Arts Council in Hays, Kansas. That same year, he reached out to elementary students by performing a lecture titled, ‘Donatello, Michelangelo, Leonardo, and Raphael’, at the OLaughlin Elementary School in Hays, Kansas. Art Judge In 1973, Stevanov judged the Ness County Photographic Exhibition in Ness City, Kansas. In 1974, Stevanov judged the Annual Arts and Crafts Exhibition in Hays, Kansas. In 1975, the third Annual Art Exhibition at McCook Community College in McCook, Nebraska was judged by Stevanov, as well as the McCook Art Guild Exhibition. In 1977, Stevanov judged the Dane G. Hansen Memorial Museum’s Annual Arts and Crafts Fair in Logan, Kansas. In 1984, the WaKeeney Landscape Exhibition in WaKeeney, Kansas was judged by Stevanov. In 1987, Stevanov was the judge of the Association of Nebraska Art Clubs in Grand Island, Nebraska. In Pop Culture and Media In 1978, Stevanov joined the College Art Association and was a member until his death. In 1979 and 1987, Stevanov was nominated for the pilot award which is an alumni award at FHSU. In 1979 and until his death in 2018, Stevanov was listed in ‘Who’s Who in American Art’. In 1980 and until his death, Stevanov was listed in ‘Men of Achievement’. Stevanov was co-chairman of the five state photography exhibition for the Hays Arts Council in Hays, Kansas from 1986 to 1987; and then became the chairman of it until 1988. He again was the chairman from 1991 until 1992. The New York Art Review wrote an article about Stevanov and his art work in 1987. In 1991, Stevanov became a member of the Hays Arts Council. List of Major Works •	(August 1967) Premier, sculpture, Florida Atlantic University •	(May 1968) Trees On a Hill, oil and collage painting, Florida Atlantic University •	(May 1968) Found #1, sculpture, Florida Atlantic University •	(May 1968) Found #2, sculpture, Florida Atlantic University •	(October 1971) Ripple Tank, Plexiglas sculpture •	(July 1973) Aqua Metric, wood, chrome and fiberglass fountain sculpture, William Allen White Library, Kansas State Technical College •	(July 1976) Mandarin, plywood sculpture •	(2006) Composition #301, oil painting, Russell’s Original Art Review, in which he received honorable mention