Artist Explores Sadness Of Violent Crimes In Exhibit

The Chase Gallery in Spokane’s City Hall presents the mixed-media work of Sharon Tetly in “The Power of Past: Untold Stories.”

The Spokane artist explores the sadness and silence of violent crimes against children through the metaphor of scrolls - some unrolled to read, some not.

Tetly said she argued with herself about the timeliness of the show, fearing that it was “old news.” She decided to proceed when she read about an attack on a local girl. While preparing the exhibit, she heard newscasts about the murder of 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey in Boulder, Colo.

“I am realizing that, without a lot of change, ‘Untold Stories’ is in little danger of becoming obsolete any time soon,” said Tetly. “I wish it was.”

She studied studio arts at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, and earned a master of fine arts degree in sculpture and mixed media from Washington State University in 1992. She is a visiting instructor at the University of Idaho and an adjunct faculty member in WSU’s fine arts department, and she has shown her work in faculty exhibitions and The Spokane Sampler at Cheney Cowles Museum.

The artist invites viewers to bring flowers or mementos to the gallery for incorporation into future exhibitions. One such addition is a small, hand-painted butterfly brought by the friend of a child abuse victim who committed suicide.

“Untold Stories” continues through Feb. 14, and a reception is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 7, from 5-7 p.m. For more information, call 625-6050.