Art Class Creates Collages To Illustrate Historical Program

After his sermons at Calvary Chapel in Post Falls and over the radio, Steve Scroggins gets dirty. “I really get excited about this,” he says, briskly rubbing his paint-covered hands together.

He’s sheepish about his excitement, but not the reason for it: the oil paintings and huge collages he’s creating in Allie Vogt’s North Idaho College arts class.

“Every project is different,” he says, adjusting a photograph on one of the four picture window-sized collages. “Allie really allows us to explore.”

Which is why the veteran teacher was asked to supply the art for next week’s “Journey Through Time” convocation series. It’s a chance for her 35 students to exhibit their work before hundreds of eyes.

This year’s weeklong program focuses on the second millennium. It follows the popular chautauqua format established three years ago on campus.

“Chautauqua” is scholarly role-playing. Speakers appear as historical characters. This year, Galileo will present a program on science and technology during the past 1,000 years.

Scottish engineer James Watt will speak on the economics of the second millennium and Martin Luther will cover religion, philosophy and art. Thomas Jefferson, Eleanor Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln will address democracy.

Such a varied program isn’t easy to illustrate. What adds to the stage without detracting from the speakers? Allie decided on a series of large collages.

Each one represents one discussion area - for example, economics or science and technology. All will float behind the speakers and tease the audience.

The collages are black and white eye-catchers filled with Matthew Brady’s photos of Abraham Lincoln, pictures of Henry VIII and Henry Ford, Scott Joplin’s music and enlargements of money, among much more.

Each is embellished with symbols - jewels on the economics panel, a hypodermic needle and electrical coils on the science and technology display - to add color and a three-dimensional effect.

The project captures the imagination of 49-year-old Steve, who returned to school three years ago to study commercial art.

“It allowed us as a class to do a collaborative approach rather than work individually,” he says. “Allie let us run with it. It’s been great.”

“Journey Through Time” begins at 9 a.m., Monday, in NIC’s Schuler Auditorium. The series is free.

Poster kid

Several of the Epilepsy Foundation’s “Winning Kids” have come from North Idaho. Winning Kids are children younger than 10 who have learned to live with epilepsy, overcome difficulties or succeeded in a special activity.

They represent the foundation at activities throughout the region. Make sure North Idaho is well represented this year. For details, call 1-800-237-6676. Entries are due May 7.

Arty party

It’s easy - and shortsighted - to overlook the local talent. The Panhandle is home to some nationally and internationally acclaimed artists whose works grace some of the finest homes and most beautiful buildings in the country.

Harrison sculptor and painter George Carlson’s bronze sculptures decorate the homes of Bill Cosby and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Coeur d’Alene wildlife artist Terry Lee recently painted and taught in Zimbabwe.

Coeur d’Alene freelance illustrator David Clemons’ clients include Disney, IBM, Nintendo and Michael Jackson.

Why should you care? Because you can see these three and 11 more in action free in downtown Coeur d’Alene’s Plaza Shops, 5-8 p.m., Thursday. Treat yourself.