Area teachers, students star in EWU show

Eastern Washington University’s summer show, “Education on Location,” opens Monday in the Gallery of Art. “This is the first time we’ve exhibited artwork by area high school art teachers and students,” said Nancy Hathaway, gallery director. “It gives EWU students and community members the opportunity to experience the high quality of artwork being produced.”

The show includes expressive watercolors by Ferris High School art teacher Sherri Thies and acrylic paintings by student Jenny Skelton.

“I love color and I love gardening,” says Thies, whose garden paintings capture “the beauty and spontaneity of nature” in resounding splashes of yellow and purple.

Skelton’s abstract figurative painting, “The Temptation,” is “dominated by vibrant yellows, oranges and reds,” says Hathaway. “Triangular green leaves punctuate the warmth of the composition, drawing attention to two darkened figures and the trunk of a darkened tree.”

Other participating artists include Cheney High School art teachers Melvie Strampe and James Scarcello, and their students Chris Perry, Dallon Biffono and Jessica Gonzalez.

An opening reception will be in the gallery on Monday from noon to 2 p.m. The exhibit runs through July 30.

The gallery is located in the Art Building, in the center of the fine and performing arts complex at Seventh and I Streets on the EWU campus in Cheney.

‘Ceramic Form’

As part of the summer-long series of “Spokane Celebrates Ceramics” exhibits, the Spokane Art School is showing ceramic works by college art faculty.

All of the 14 potters in the display “are tremendously accomplished artists and approach ceramics in a huge variety of ways,” says Sue Ellen Heflin, art school executive director.

“Ceramic Form: Regional Faculty” includes the work of A. Lee Ayars, Mardis Nenno and retired instructor Margaret Gregg of Spokane Falls Community College; Gina Freuen and Terry Gieber of Gonzaga University; Jeff Harris of Whitworth College; and Lisa Nappa and the late Bill Sage of Eastern Washington University.

Also look for pottery by Ann Christenson and former adjunct instructor Alice Fairbanks of Washington State University; Marilyn Lysohir of the University of Idaho; Beth Lo of the University of Montana; Ovidio Giberga of Central Washington University; and Greg Pierce of Columbia Basin College.

An open artists’ reception is Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the gallery, 920 N. Howard St., east of the Arena. The free show is on view through July 16, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Far West’s latest art

When Far West Billiards opened its doors a few years back, owner Andrew Sackville-West intentionally created a place where people would gather and socialize.

Sackville-West sees original work by emerging artists as part of the mix. “Our changing exhibits stimulate conversations,” he says. “To me, even a negative comment is positive because people are talking about art.”

Currently hanging on the expansive red brick walls are the paintings and mixed media works of EWU art student Miriam Gregg and Boise State University graduate students Erin Cunningham and Isaac Grambo.

“The exhibition is dynamic,” says Gregg. “Our work ranges in process, material and subject matter.”

Meet the young artists tonight between 6 and 9 p.m. at Far West Billiards, 1001 W. First Ave. The artwork is on view through July 10.

William Grant Gallery

Beginning Saturday the William Grant Gallery spotlights the work of Spokane artists Liz Bishop, Kathleen Parrish Peterson and Fredrick D. Warren.

Bishop produces a wide variety of pieces inspired by the Japanese and Greek traditions. She will be showing functional and novelty items in raku, fused glass and copper.

Warren is presenting drawings and paintings influenced by his extensive travels to Mexico and Central America. “There are times when I want to draw what I see,” said Warren in his artist’s statement, “and others when I want to draw what a subject makes me feel.”

Peterson has an extensive background in interior design and fine art. Her work ranges from exquisitely detailed botanicals, reflecting the tiniest veins in leaves and flowers, to large-scale landscape murals.

Meet the artists during an opening reception on Saturday between noon and 4 p.m. at the gallery, 820 W. Francis Ave. The work is up through July 12 and can be seen from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

‘Exposed’ in Newport

A wide range of photography is on view in “Exposed” at the CREATE Place, a community arts center in Newport, Wash.

Amateur and professional photographers from throughout the region are showing landscapes, florals and abstracts.

“David Joern of Spokane has an artistic flair for creating black-and-white photos that magnify unique moments in time,” wrote Joe Sherman of CREATE Place in an e-mail. “Priest Lake photographer Autumn Oscarson’s sensitivity shows through in her photos of the area’s countryside.”

Among the other works are dramatic digital photographs by Loyce Akers of Oldtown, Idaho, and garden photographs by Kathy Hogan of Newport.

The CREATE Place, 900 W. Fourth St., is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Randolph at Liberty Cafe

“It seemed that spring was never going to get here this year,” says watercolorist Emma Randolph, “so I spent my days painting colorful flowers to cheer myself up.”

More than 20 of those spring bouquets are brightening up the Liberty Café, 404 W. Main Ave., during June.

Randolph, an artist for more than 60 years, paints four to six hours a day at least five times a week.

“Of all the mediums I’ve used, I find watercolors to be the most complicated and difficult medium,” she says. “I love the challenge of each piece.”

Clark’s Creations Gallery

Catherine Clark’s recently finished series of 10 life-size pastel, charcoal and conte still lifes are showing in Clark’s Creations Gallery in Clark Fork, Idaho.

Also on exhibit are her oil and pastel architectural paintings of local restaurants, bridges, storefronts, trailer parks and scenery.

Visit the gallery, 25 miles east of Sandpoint, Wednesday through Sunday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. If you need directions call (208) 266-0354.