Thamm’S Winter Work Has Old West Themes

Thu., April 8, 1999

Beverly Vorpahl Staff writer

“How I spent my summer vacation” is a time-honored theme for students to write about when school resumes every September.

But John Thamm will show the landscape paintings he painted during his winter spent in Bisbee, Ariz., Friday through May 8 at The Art Spirit Gallery of Fine Art, at 908 Sherman Ave. in Coeur d’Alene.

Bisbee is snuggled in the foothills of the Mule Mountains 100 miles southeast of Tuscon.

It’s not a typical dusty 1800s Old West Town, said Steve Gibbs, gallery owner. The town’s original name was Queen of the Copper Camps when it turned into a boom town with the discovery of copper.

Thamm’s artist eye enjoys the rich red colors of the copper mining hills that are contrasted with deep green foliage.

“His paintings illustrate the street scenes of the old saloons, office buildings and other picturesque landmarks of this city,” Gibbs said.

One of the artist’s landscapes of Bisbee was featured in the January issue of Southwest Art.

Joining Thamm in the monthlong show will be Genevra Sloan, who will display her wood cuts and oil painting collages, and Carolyn Trueblood, a Coeur d’Alene artist who will show her colorful still-lifes.

An artists’ reception will be 5 to 8 p.m. Friday. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday — or by appointment; call (208) 765-6006.

Spokane-area shows

* The River Ridge Association of Fine Arts will hold its annual juried all-media art show Friday through April 24 at the Civic Theatre, 1020 N. Howard. Ken Spiering juried the show.

The association was formed in 1971 with a start-up group of five artists, and has a current membership of 50. It’s the second-oldest art group in Spokane (Spokane Watercolor Society being first).

An opening reception at Civic will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday. The artwork will be available for viewing from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

“Of Many Colors: Portraits of Multiracial Families,” a photo exhibit by Gigi Kaeser with written descriptions by Peggy Gillespie, will be displayed at Eastern Washington University through Friday. The show opened Monday.

The photographs tell the story of 20 families who have bridged the racial divide through interracial relationships or adoption.

The exhibit in the Pence Union Building’s art gallery is open 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

At WSU

Li Xiuqin, a visiting artist at Washington State University, will exhibit several artworks through Friday in the Department of Fine Art’s Gallery II.

The artist, from China National Academy of Fine Arts in Hangzhou, has been on the Pullman campus for the spring term, working with WSU faculty.

The exhibit is open during regular business hours.

Artwork created by WSU students vying for master of fine arts degrees will by shown in the university art gallery through May 8.

Featured is mixed-media installation, painting, photography and sculpture by Jessie Bukrey, Mitch Cope, Hasaan Kirkland, Peggy Sue McRae, Liz Obert and Marc Steine.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, with extended hours to 10 p.m. Tuesdays; and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays .

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