By Jeannette Carrington
Jcarrington@lc.edu
Despite extreme thunderstorms, students, staff, and art lovers gathered in the Hatheway Gallery at Lewis and Clark Community College (LC) to celebrate the 20th Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition. The event, held on April 4, highlighted the skills and talent of LC students.
The exhibition, which runs until April 28, features a diverse array of artworks, including drawings, digital photography, oil paintings, graphic design, and ceramics. Attendees braved the inclement weather to view the creative expressions of the students, highlighting the high level of artistic education provided at LC.
Madelynne Heflin, who won third place for her drawing “Drapery Study,” said that she submitted to the art show to show off what she has learned since she started taking art classes at Lewis and Clark and how she improved as an artist.
“My drapery drawing is one of my favorite pieces,” said Heflin. “I love charcoal and drapery. I used the subtractive method for this project, and I really enjoyed that technique. I think that piece really shows my appreciation for the medium and subject matter.”
Heflin thinks student exhibitions are important because they give students the opportunity to have their work in a gallery setting without too much pressure. It prepares artists for the possibility of acceptance and rejection in the future.
“The exhibition encourages me to submit to other galleries and shows,” said Heflin. “I think having the student exhibition is a great opportunity for students. However, I would like to see more or something less restrictive of what can and cannot be submitted, such as opening it up for personal works and works from previous semesters as well.”
Irene Ruiz Gonzalez, who won second place for her digital photograph “Lowkey,” also expressed her excitement about the exhibition.
“I submitted my pictures to the art show because a lot of people told me I should,” said Ruiz Gonzalez. “For me, the picture that won is the best picture I have ever taken. It was just a class assignment, and it turned out to have a very deep meaning behind it. Every person has their own interpretation, but what everyone tells me about is the deep look of the eyes, which I agree with.”
Winning has encouraged Ruiz Gonzalez to submit to more art shows and competitions.
“I think what I enjoyed the most was the people asking me about my pieces and appreciating them,” said Ruiz Gonzalez. “That encouraged me to keep shooting way more than winning. Seeing how the people appreciated my work made me feel valued and that I can actually work as a photographer.”
The exhibition not only serves as a platform for students to display their work but also as a testament to the quality of education and mentorship provided by the college’s art department.
Visitors can still experience the exhibition before it ends on April 28. Hatheway gallery hours are 11:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m.
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This year’s awards were presented to the following students:
First Place: “Still Life in Charcoal,” Drawing by Lyrissa Johnson.
Second Place: “Lowkey,” Digital Photography by Irene Ruiz Gonzalez.
Third Place: “Drapery Study,” Drawing by Madelynne Heflin.
Honorable Mentions: “Master copy: Sunrise on the Matterhorn,” Oil Painting by Adelaide Liljedahl. “Noble,” Graphic Design by Courtney Adams. “4 Seasons,” Ceramics by Jeannette Carrington.
Special Recognitions: “A Windy Day,” Oil Painting by Lily Bolinger. “Frog Teapot,” Ceramics by Grace Becker. “Bat Teapot,” Ceramics by Annabelle Scully. “Sinking,” Graphic Design by Morgan Leathers.
Let The Bridge know your thoughts on each piece in the show by leaving us a comment.
