This is a caption.

Ralph Nader might have run for president twice as a Green Party candidate. He might have played a vital role in the passing of the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act and the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency. But he is not your typical progressively-minded environmentalist.

In 2000, Nader declared that Al Gore and George W. Bush were both dominated by corporate interests, as similar as “Tweedledee and Tweedledum.” Not many environmentalists would equate the political godfather of the climate movement with a Texas cowboy who led his state towards the bottom of national environmental rankings while governor. Even when it became apparent that his place on the ballot was taking desperately needed votes from Gore in key states like Florida and New Hampshire, Nader refused to drop out of the race.

Throughout his career, Nader has shown his inability to settle for the ‘lesser of two evils.’ Whereas many progressive individuals and organizations focus on working within the system by supporting the least-worst candidate and donating small amounts of money in hopes of countering corporate power, Nader is repeatedly in conflict with both business and government for his relentless consumer advocacy.

In 1965, after Nader wrote “Unsafe at Any Speed,” a book detailing resistance of car manufacturers to spend money on basic safety features like seat belts, he was harassed by private detectives hired by General Motors. His four presidential runs were widely criticized by the Democratic party and yet he persevered. He started the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (US PIRG), a now widespread organization that seeks to protect consumer rights. More recently, he wrote “Only the Super-Rich Can Save Us,” a novel that suggests that if the very wealthy harnessed their power for good, they could fix the world’s problems.

In a sense, Nader is still an idealistic college student. While the trend among environmentalists seems to be partnerships with business—take the recent move of the President of the Sierra Club to consulting for Wal-Mart—Nader continues to hold out for a more radical reformation of the system.

As I ascended the steps to the Museum of Un-Natural History, I was greeted by a leering cow skull atop a segmented mannequin, holding a parasol. Edging past this frightening doorman, I entered the museum’s Black Door Gallery, home to the quirky and brash works of Gerald Matthews, artist and owner. His art seduces, provokes, repulses and sometimes angers the viewer.

“When I was in New York, I worked in nightclubs mostly, and we did social and political satire—we stood up on the stage and made snide remarks about society,” said Matthews. “So when we moved here, in this very straight, right-wing community, I had to express myself. Most of the people who come up here enjoy it. Some turn right around and leave. I’ve been almost attacked physically by a woman who insisted she knew that Jesus had come here to save us, and that I’d better get with it, or I was in trouble. I said eventually, ‘Well if you’re going to heaven, I don’t want to go there,’” Matthews said with a laugh.

Indeed, an indictment of mass religion appears in numerous of his works. By the entrance stands a vast glass case housing battling armies and the caption, “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem.”

“It depicts the holy family in the middle of this enormous war, and every possible kind of ethnic or political type is in there fighting and killing, all around this supposedly tranquil little group that’s going to save us from ourselves,” explained Matthews.

The museum also features many works dealing with sexuality or of a visually explicit nature. Matthews discussed his views on sexual freedom and open-mindedness.

“I’ve been married five times, divorced four, and in show business one is accustomed to having quite a variety of sexual experience,” he said. “I’ve always been very free about that, and an awful lot of people are not. I’m sorry for them, but I guess it’s better that they not reproduce any more than they need.”

While Matthews refers to his art as ‘Dada in Walla Walla,’ his style has certain differences from the historic German art movement.

“I suppose, like the Dadaism that started in Zurich and moved to Germany, [his art] challenges standard ideas of art and meaning,” wrote junior Nicole James in an e-mail. “It was certainly anti-war, as in German art of the Dada era. However, the art, to me, looked incredibly messy and amateur. Whether this was the point or not, I don’t know. I also think it was more sexualized than German art of the Dada era, though I’m not a specialist on German Dada art.”

James continued.

“I was very uncomfortable in the museum the whole time, and, at least to me, the museum had a very . . . confrontational and opinionated atmosphere,” she said.

However, to others the gallery is a place of refuge and escape from everyday life.

“I have quite a few high school people in here, wearing studs and tattoos and things,” said Matthews. “They like this atmosphere, and they like the fact that I don’t agree with their parents. They think it’s rebellious and naughty, and they don’t get that at home.”

Senior and art history major Stephanie Silver also finds herself attracted to the gallery’s eccentric charm.

“I just think it’s one of those little niche places in Walla Walla that gives Walla Walla a lot of character,” she said. “I love going there. I always find something new; it’s just a really curious place.”

Senior Lindsey Witcosky, who described herself as “obsessed” with the museum, shared Silver’s enthusiasm.

“It’s just so random,” Witcosky said. “I love that it’s just this guy, and it’s free, and he just has this collection that’s open for everyone to come check out, and they’re just really weird things that you wouldn’t see, anywhere. I like it a lot.”

As admission to the museum is free, the gallery is a slow but constant drain on Matthews’ personal resources, costing him an estimated $3,000 to $4,000 annually. However, he is retired with a pension, and does not begrudge the expense.

“What I’d really like is to win the lottery so I can buy this building and kick everybody else out,” Matthews laughed.

In the meantime, visitors are welcome to leave donations.

“It’s just such a fun surprise, such a random hole-in-the-wall, right when you think Main Street is running out of interesting things. I think everyone would be pleasantly surprised by it, because you have no idea it’s there,” Witcosky said.

For more information and visiting hours, check out the museum’s website at wallawalladada.com.

Fennell

We all knew when we came to Whitman that a liberal arts education isn’t all about learning job skills or making yourself marketable. We knew full well that our philosophy and art courses weren’t “practical” in the real world, yet we chose to take them anyway. For graduating seniors who have majored in the arts, this impracticality can be particularly daunting. How does one begin a job hunt with a skill set that seems totally inapplicable to most jobs? With this in mind, The Pioneer recently asked top students from each art department to share their college experiences and post-graduation plans.

Harrison Fulop – Vocal Performance Music major

Building upon the knowledge and experience gained from college is an ideal sought after by many students. For Harrison Fulop, the possibility of furthering the skills and connections he has gained at Whitman is now a reality.

Fulop focused much of his time at Whitman intensively honing his vocal skills, singing in both Chorale and Chamber Singers, performing in student ensembles and bands and competing in Northwest regional vocal competitions. Next fall, Fulop will begin studying at the University of Missouri—Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance. In addition to pursuing a Master’s degree in vocal music performance, Fulop hopes to become part of the opera scene.

“I really want to focus on improving theatricality and getting into the zone of opera singing,” said Fulop, mentioning the only operas he has performed in at Whitman, “Cosi Fan Tutte” and “The Merry Wives of Windsor.” “The two operas that I’ve done here are the only times I’ve really acted since sixth grade.”

In addition to doing opera performance, Fulop hopes to continue studying under his current teacher, Dr. Robert Bode, who by coincidence, is also relocating to UM—KC this fall. Bode formerly served as the head of choral studies at Whitman and Fulop’s voice coach for the past four years.

“I’m simultaneously really excited because I have plans already and really sad because I’ve been incredibly happy for four years,” said Fulop. “I’ll probably be the guy coming back in 25 years who’s wide-eyed and looking at everything that I used to see on a daily basis.”

Katie Higgins – Studio Art/French major

Art and literature have fascinated Katie Higgins for most of her life—but not without surprises along the way. During her time at Whitman, Higgins came to embrace the idea of working both as an artist and as an advocate of children’s literature.

Higgins explained that her aspirations began during freshman year, while taking a beginning course in book arts and a literature class on children’s folklore and mythology. Higgins said that her book arts class remains one of favorite memories at Whitman, adding that her instructor for that course, Assistant Professor of Art Mare Blocker, inspired her to become a studio art major.

“[Blocker] is also such a wonderful resource, very encouraging, and very knowledgeable in her area,” said Higgins.

Higgins later began working in community service and education programs that focus on children, such as the Whitman Mentor Program, Environmental Education for Kid and the Whitman Story Time Project. Last summer, Higgins created “Summers with Katie,” a series of two-week literature and art camps for children based in her home town of Boise, Idaho.

Higgins is set to marry this summer, and in the fall, she will begin studying at the Harvard Arts in Education Program.

“It’s nerve-racking but also very exciting that I’m entering into this very specialized field,” said Higgins. “I get to follow something I’m very passionate about to a higher level.”

Peter Richards – Theatre/English major

After four years, Peter Richards has both stayed involved in Whitman’s theater department, and maintained his enthusiasm for collaborative projects with fellow student artists—and it has paid off.

As co-creator of the student-based theater troupe, 12 Stones, Richards gained experience in organizing student writers and actors to produce student-led productions on campus. After graduation, Richards will move to Seattle and begin the process of creating a theater production company based on 12 Stones.

“I’m really excited to have the opportunity to continue being an artist,” said Richards, explaining that he will work in partnership with senior Ian Jagel, his friend and collaborator for 12 Stones. “I’m glad that I’ll be in a position to make art and collaborate with people.”

Until then, Richards can look back on his college experience through many landmark memories. Since freshman year, he has been an active member of Varsity Nordic, Whitman’s theatre sports group, and has also participated in at least two Harper Joy productions per semester, working in acting roles and as a sound designer.

“I’m happy that I’m graduating. That being said, I’m going to miss the incredible safety that is Whitman,” he said. “That’s one of the coolest things about this place; there’s safety in the community to just put yourself out there.”

The outrage and fear on campus, following the recent spate of laptop thefts, testifies to that. Such reactions are understandable. A laptop holds a student’s work, the labor of one’s mind—one’s livelihood as a student. Few of us would ever condone stealing someone’s labor and livelihood.

Oh wait.

A recent poll of Whitman students asked the question: Do you download music without paying for it?

Fifty percent of 107 responders answered: “Sometimes.” Twenty-three percent responded, “All the time,” and 11 percent said they use bulk music subscriptions like Rhapsody. Only 16 percent said they consistently pay full price for their music.

It’s a sensitive subject. We are in the midst of a recession and many college students don’t have extra funds to throw around. However, the surge in illegal downloading impacts artists and the music industry in ways that students may not realize. Jim McGuinn, owner of local music store Hot Poop, spoke regarding the intense pressure on recording artists to perform strongly in sales.

“You get fronted money when you get signed up,” McGuinn said. “They say—your CD’s going to do well, here’s $50,000. Now you owe a couple hundred [thousand] for recording it and promoting it. When I used to do light shows, I met people who told me they still owed Sony, or in those days Columbia Records, for their albums. They had not recovered it. They’d sold a lot. But it cost more—to make it, promote it and tour.”

Despite pressures on individual artists, the music industry is often perceived as rich and financially stable.

“I feel like the music industry makes enough money that it’s pretty much okay to download music for free,” said sophomore Annie Truscott.

While top record executives like Doug Morris and Simon Cowell do have plenty of money, declining record sales force labels to be more conservative with the artists they sign, leading to dwindling diversity.

“It’s kind of like selling oil,” McGuinn said. “I talk like a Republican. But you’ve got to allow the record labels a chance to make some money. If they’re restricted, they’re not going to sign new artists. When you have Taylor Swift, they say, let’s go get another Taylor Swift. They’re not out trying to find the new best thing.”

Images captions will look like this. Ideally images will be in the second paragraph so as to not mess with the dropcaps.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi.

Images captions will look like this. Ideally images will be in the second paragraph so as to not mess with the dropcaps.

Nam liber tempor cum soluta nobis eleifend option congue nihil imperdiet doming id quod mazim placerat facer possim assum. Typi non habent claritatem insitam; est usus legentis in iis qui facit eorum claritatem. Investigationes demonstraverunt lectores legere me lius quod ii legunt saepius. Claritas est etiam processus dynamicus, qui sequitur mutationem consuetudium lectorum. Mirum est notare quam littera gothica, quam nunc putamus parum claram, anteposuerit litterarum formas humanitatis per seacula quarta decima et quinta decima. Eodem modo typi, qui nunc nobis videntur parum clari, fiant sollemnes in futurum.

And here’s an ordered list:

1. test element
2. just to show off what happens when you insert an ordered list

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi.

And then an unordered list

• this is an unordered test element
• and another test element to show off the styles of the unordered lists

This also should appear to the right as a pullquote, fancy that. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi.

Heading 1

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi.

Heading 2

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi.

Heading 3

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi.

Heading 4

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi.

Heading 5

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi.

Heading 6

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi.