MTSU design professor spells out S-U-C-C-E-S-S, and F-U-N, as part of international alphabet exhibit

A Middle Tennessee State University professor’s animal artistry is part of a popular — and significant — new exhibit at Oxford University’s Bodleian Libraries showcasing more than 150 manuscripts, prints, posters, sculpture and books using the alphabet as inspiration.

Leslie Haines, professor, School of Journalism and Strategic Media — Leslie Haines

Leslie Haines, a longtime visual artist, graphic designer and educator, has taught in the Visual Communication Program in MTSU’s School of Journalism and Strategic Media since 2013.

Her “Animal Abecedary: A One-of-a-Kind Alphabet Book” is among only a handful of international artists’ works included in the Oxford exhibit, “Alphabets Alive!”, which is on display through January 2024.

Her book features 26 witty juxtapositions of animals and letter-appropriate elements, such as a dapper, suit-wearing cat holding a large, unexpected cicada with wings formed from old book pages, a kimono-clad kangaroo with a knife, and a popcorn-nibbling penguin wearing pants. The alphabet poster included in the book also is displayed inside the Bodleians’ newly renovated Weston Library building.

“It was an amazing experience!” says Haines, who traveled to England in mid-July for the exhibit’s opening. “I saw the show being advertised all around Oxford, including posts at local pubs.

“It was a bigger deal than I thought it would be: it’s in the main exhibition space! I feel so honored. My work will be seen by thousands.”

The adventure began in late 2022 when Robert Bolick, collector of artists’ books and curator of the “Books on Books” website, contacted Haines to post about “Animal Abecedary” on his blog at https://bit.ly/MTHainesAlphabetBookBlog, comparing her art to that of the 20th century German-born surrealist Max Ernst.

Leslie Haines, professor of visual communication in the School of Journalism and Strategic Media in Middle Tennessee State University’s College of Media and Entertainment, poses with the display of her “Animal Abecedary: A One-of-a-Kind Alphabet Book” and its special poster at “Alphabets Alive!”, an international exhibit of alphabet-inspired art at Oxford University’s Bodleian Library through January 2024. (photo submitted)

Bolick then proposed that “Animal Abecedary” be part of an alphabet book exhibition he was curating for the Bodleian Libraries. The result can be found at https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/event/alphabets-alive.

When the exhibit ends, Haines’ work will stay put, becoming a permanent part of the libraries’ collection — an appropriate decision for an abecedary, or alphabet primer sometimes associated with the important work of adult literacy.

“We hope to encourage a greater appreciation of the alphabet’s historic and cultural significance through the ages, and highlight its use as a creative linguistic canvas, in order to both educate, enlighten and entertain people of all ages,” Richard Ovenden, the Bodleians’ librarian and director of gardens, libraries and museums at the University of Oxford, said of the exhibit.

“Alphabet books are often thought of as being ‘just for kids’, but visitors to our show at the Bodleian will discover this could not be further from the truth!”

A is for art, E for educator

Prior recognition of Haines’ “Animal Abecedary” series includes exhibitions of the original prints at Nashville’s Frist Museum of Art and the Nashville International Airport and in Queensland, Australia.

Such recognition isn’t unusual for the talented Haines, formerly at the Art Institute of Tennessee-Nashville, where she was academic director of the graphic and web design and advertising programs.

Haines also served as chair of graphic design at Watkins College of Art, Design and Film, building their award-winning Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design program.

Target stores snapped up two of her hat designs for stores nationwide, and she designed the most recent arts license plate for the state of Tennessee.

A longtime news marketing and advertising designer, she also opened her own advertising and design company to serve local and national clients, earning multiple awards for work with universities, hospitals, musicians and film production companies.

cover of “Animal Abecedary: A One-of-a-Kind Alphabet Book” by Middle Tennessee State University visual communication professor Leslie Haines, part of an international exhibit of alphabet-inspired art at Oxford University’s Bodleian Library through January 2024.

She currently provides advertising design for The Free Speech Center at MTSU and for artists including Kenny Chesney and Shawn Mendes through The Messina Group. Her sharp eye created the iconic logo for MTSU’s WMOT-FM Roots Radio 89.5, part of the College of Media and Entertainment, when the National Public Radio charter member recreated itself as the Nashville region’s only 100,000-watt Americana music channel.

To learn more about Haines’ “Animal Abecedary,” visit www.animalabecedary.com. Visit https://lesliehaines.com to see examples of her design work.

“Animal Abecedary” can be found at Amazon and at https://schifferbooks.com.

For more information on MTSU’s School of Journalism and Strategic Media, visit www.mtsu.edu/journalism. To learn more about the College of Media and Entertainment and its programs, visit www.mtsu.edu/media.

— Gina E. Fann (gina.fann@mtsu.edu)