Nightingale Gallery wraps up season with award-winners

Nightingale Gallery wraps up season with award-winners

May 26, 2021 LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Nightingale Gallery of Eastern Oregon University closes its 2020-21 exhibition season with a celebration of the achievements of the university’s student artists. 

The annual All-Campus Juried Student Exhibition runs through Friday, June 11.

Four members of the EOU Art faculty selected 32 works submitted by 16 student artists for the exhibition. They also selected Kim Baum as Best in Show for her collection of mixed media

sculptures. Honorable mentions were given to Sophia Aimone, Koedi Birmingham, Gretchen Litzlbeck and Alyson Yates. Each award comes with a certificate and modest monetary award.

In addition to the juror’s awards, faculty chose recipients of Kathelene Galloway Memorial Scholarship, Joseph Dickerson Memorial Award, and Hannah Cashell Memorial Scholarship.

The Kathelene Galloway Memorial Scholarship, a $1,400 award presented to a sophomore or

a junior level Art major who exhibits exemplary technical and conceptual skill, was presented to Gretchen Litzlbeck. The award is made in memory of Kathelene Galloway, a professor of printmaking and drawing at EOU who passed away in 2009. 

“A highly dedicated and much-loved artist, teacher and colleague, Galloway was a passionate advocate for her students, art, artists and EOU,” said Nightingale Gallery Director Cory Peeke. “Galloway exemplified the excellence and drive we encourage in our students.” 

The Joseph Dickerson Memorial Award is in memory of an EOU freshman killed in a 2009 auto accident. Following the loss of their son, Joe’s parents, Doug and Kyla Dickerson made a gift of funds to the EOU Art program. Joe was a model student whose creative energy and enthusiasm for learning was infectious. In light of this, the EOU Art Program created an award for a student who exemplifies Joe’s dedication, curiosity and creative spirit. This year’s award was presented to Sophia Aimone.

The Hannah Cashell Memorial Art Award is a scholarship made in memory of Hannah Cashell, the daughter of Heather and Rob Cashell who established the award. Our recipient this year is Koedi Birmingham.

“It is always a great pleasure to see the collection of student talent and growth on display at this

exhibit,” Peeke said. “It is even more exciting given the high level of technical and conceptual quality of the work produced during such a challenging year.”

The Nightingale Gallery is located in Loso Hall on the EOU campus in La Grande, Oregon. Gallery hours are noon to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, go to eou.edu/art or follow the Nightingale Gallery on Facebook and Instagram.

To request images of artwork for publication or to schedule an interview with one or more of the

Artists, contact Gallery Director Cory Peeke at cpeeke@eou.edu.