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February 21 – March 13, 2020
Opening Reception: Friday, Feb 21, 6 – 8pm
This annual exhibition surveys the work of high school fine art programs in Union and the surrounding counties of Eastern Oregon. Each year hundreds of students share their art through this public group show hosted by EOU’s Nightingale Gallery. Art featured in the exhibition demonstrates the quality and breadth of regional studio instruction and the dedication of the individual artists.
In this year’s show several themes emerged as dominant foci of self expression. The prevalence of portraiture suggests this timeless genre remains an important lens through which to examine the self and an avenue for exploring notions of celebrity. Portraits of celebrities are complimented by a broad array of images inspired by popular culture. Many artists turn their gaze toward the landscape, whether real or imagined. Images of mountains, deserts, sunsets, and the sea feature prominently. The materiality of ceramics, collage, mixed-media sculpture, and fiber arts seem equally as attractive to young creators as more traditional media like painting and drawing. Intimate images of pets compliment the many sculptures of houses, indicating the important link between youth and home life. The whimsical and the fanciful mingle with the macabre and banal. The entrance to the exhibition features five images of women. In three of these images, strong female characters gaze out at the viewer, communicating strength and confidence. In one brightly colored abstract bust portrait, the figure appears fractured, pieced together by literal puzzle piece shapes, each featuring adjectives like “smart” and “strong,” often associated with self-esteem, or challenges to it. Indigenous craft and design motifs play an important role in the exhibition, continuing such traditional art forms as beadwork. Seen together, this diverse array of work offers viewers a window to teen culture in 2020.
Each year EOU Art faculty identify works deserving of special praise, designating Best of Show awards for artists at each grade level. Regional community art centers also sponsor awards for students in their counties. Below is a list of this year’s award recipients.
12th Grade – Rory Hill, Union
11th Grade – MacElle Kirsch, Pendleton
10th Grade – Anna Kreutz, La Grande
9th Grade – Sydney Kmetic, Powder Valley
12th Grade:
Idaly Ferral, McLoughlin
Marissa Carlos, Pendleton
Kywe Bruce, Union
Hannah Bello, Union
Aubrey Sellick, Union.
11th Grade:
Garrett Street, La Grande
Riley Later, Union
Lainey Neistadt, Pendleton
Brooke Allen, Powder Valley
Claire Babcock, La Grande
10th Grade:
Alysa Grace, Powder Valley
Audrey Wells, Union
Phoebe Wise, Baker
Robin Holtby, Burns
9th Grade:
Tristen Tritt, Baker
Reece Hatfield, Baker
Neah Thomas, Baker
Diya Vyas, Grant Union