Visual Arts: Miller work bridges images, content
‘Contemplation,” an exhibition of concept-driven mixed media work by Midwest artist Rebecca Miller, opens today in Eastern Washington University’s Gallery of Art on the Cheney campus.
The show focuses on Miller’s current body of work, which merges drawing, etching and painting with photography.
“Her combination of materials allows for the layering of images and content,” says gallery director Nancy Hathaway.
The work speaks “not only to the complexity of our natural environment but also to the complexity of human relationships alluded to within the work,” Hathaway says.
In Miller’s artist statement, she says: “Layered within the literal is the metaphorical dimensions of the work, which have to do with my personal relationships and the treatment of humans by one another.”
That “deals with the struggles within relationships; the disappointments, desire, regret, love, anger and consequences of choice,” says Miller. “Ultimately the work on both levels, literal and metaphorical, deals with the underlying themes of fear, abuse and control.”
Miller is an assistant professor in the Department of Art and Art History and gallery director at Drury University, Springfield, Mo.
She is in Cheney today to lecture at noon in the EWU Art Auditorium. A reception follows in the Gallery of Art. Both events are free and open to the public.
View the work through Dec. 1, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The gallery is in the Art Building, located in the center of the fine and performing arts complex on the college campus at Seventh and I streets in Cheney
To see more of Miller’s art go to www.millerebecca.com.
WSU’s Art ala Carte
Gina Murray and Louise Colson talk about “Collaborative Art: How Glass Melted Two Visions into a Focus on Palouse Grass” during the Art ala Carte brown-bag lecture today at noon in Bundy Reading Room in Avery Hall on Washington State University’s Pullman campus.
Next Thursday’s topic is “Coastal Salish Weaving” with master weaver Susan Pavel.
“The essence of the Coast Salish people along the Northwest Coast speaks loudly to those who will listen, speaks volumes to those who want to know and speaks lovingly to those who cherish the ways,” says Pavel in a news release.
“SQ3Tsya’yay: Weaver’s Spirit Power,” an exhibit of Pavel’s work, is on display at the Museum of Anthropology in College Hall through Dec. 15. The exhibit area is open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Palouse women artists
While on the WSU campus, check out “Art Sustains,” an exhibit of recent work by members of the Women’s Caucus’ Palouse Chapter.
The show is up until Nov. 10 at the Compton Union Gallery on the Move in the Terrell Library Atrium.
The group exhibit includes works by regional artists Carol Bradford, Valerie Boydo, Zelda deVictor Carrico, Louise Colson, Lynne Haagensen, Marcia Lehman-Kessler, Kay Montgomery, Gina Murray, Melissa Rockwood, Jennifer Rod, Gerri Saylor and Ruby Valentine.
Tinman Gallery
It’s a busy weekend at Tinman Gallery in Spokane’s Garland District, with two live demonstrations.
Glass artist Sondra Barrington will create several small stained-glass pieces on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.
On Saturday at 1 p.m., Whitworth art professor Gordon Wilson will talk about plein air painting and demonstrate his oil painting techniques.
There’s no fee for either event at the gallery, 811 W. Garland Ave.
At the MAC
If you’re looking for an unusual art holiday gift, check out the “Wall-to-Wall Sale” Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2316 W. First Ave.
Items for sale include “gently used” art objects, framed prints, posters, books and exhibit display cases.
“We even discovered a box of silver and turquoise jewelry and other items from our old store,” says public relations coordinator Jill Strom in an e-mail.
After rummaging through the sale, check out the exhibits on display in the museum:
“”Fibers of Life: From a Weaver’s View,” a large array of American Indian baskets from the museum’s permanent collection, is up through Dec. 31
“”Image and Imagination: American Indian Photogravures by Edward S. Curtis” highlights the popularity of Curtis’ Indian sepia-toned images and the criticism he has received for romanticizing native lifeways and customs. It remains up through Jan. 28.
“”Mutual Seduction: Cars and Costumes,” a dazzling array of clothing, photographs and ephemera drawn from the MAC’s collections combined with a dozen iconic American automobiles from regional collections, is up through Feb. 25.
“”Spokane Medicine: Heritage and Highlights,” examining the history of medicine and health care in the Spokane area, is up through April 22.
‘Winter Art Market’
The Pend Oreille Arts Council is hosting its annual “Winter Holiday Art Market” Nov. 4 and 5 in the Bonner County Fairgrounds Mall Exhibit Hall, 4205 N. Boyer St. in Sandpoint.
Artwork from approximately 70 artists will include sculpture, ceramics, metal, fiber, photography, paintings, mixed media, furniture, holiday décor and edibles. For information call (208) 263-6139.