‘Recent Gifts’ exhibit filled with surprises

Prepare to spend a little extra time with the “Recent Gifts and Acquisitions” exhibition under way in the Jundt Art Museum on the Gonzaga University campus.

From the electrifying Wassily Kandinsky abstract woodcut print to the haunting, diaphanous oil painting by Spokane’s Lila Girvin, the 40 works on display are worthy of an unhurried pace.

“The exhibition is just a sampling, an overview of the artworks added to our permanent collection over the last few years,” says J. Scott Patnode, Jundt director/curator.

The show includes paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, watercolors, photographs and ceramic objects created by local, regional, national and international artists.

Pieces date from a highly detailed 1503 woodcut print of “The Annunciation” by the German-born engraver Albrecht Durer to a playful, humorous ceramic figure by contemporary sculptor Patti Warashina of Seattle.

Kandinsky’s 1922 “Small Worlds VII” relief print is especially fascinating because the Russian-born artist is considered one of first pure abstract artists.

While living in Munich, Germany, before World War I, Kandinsky and a handful of other abstract artists established the German Expressionist movement. Later he taught at the famed Bauhaus school of art and design.

Among the many other highly recognizable names in the show are Jasper Johns, Wayne Thiebaud and Richard Diebenkorn.

Johns, best known for his “Flag” painting in the mid-1950s, is represented in this show by a 1972 black-and-white lithograph, “Zone.”

Johns was considered by many as a Pop artist because he referenced objects from popular culture in his work. His use of recognizable items, however, predates the Pop movement, and his technique is more expressive and painterly.

“One thing he is known for,” says Karen Kaiser, Jundt Museum assistant curator for education, “is the use of text and numbers in his work. His print in the show includes the word ‘cup’ with an arrow pointing to an image of a cup.”

Thiebaud’s realistic still-life paintings of food and consumer goods have links to Pop art in the early 1960s.

His 1990 lithograph print, “Bow Ties,” on exhibit reflects his “quality drawings, use of color and repetition of familiar items,” says Kaiser.

California abstract artist Diebenkorn is most widely known for his large, colorful “Berkeley” and “Ocean Park” oil paintings, with their intense skies and long horizons.

His black-and-white, untitled 1991 lithograph on display carries his signature “division of space done in a geometric way,” says Kaiser. “It’s rough, scratchy and very expressive.”

Other artists represented in the exhibition are Josef Albers, Glen Alps, Jifi Anderle, Michael Barnes, Jim Bums, Marsha Bums, Giovanni Benedetto Castiglioni, Doris Chase, Victor Gardaya, Kathleen Gemberling Adkison, Margaret Gregg, Stanley William Hayter, Jim Henderson, Richard Hunt and Herman Keys.

There are also works by James McBey, Forrest Moses, Ben Frank Moss, Jose Clemente Orozco, Charles W. Palmer, Camille Patha, Giovanni Battista Piranesi, Don Reitz, Harriet Sanderson, Ken Spiering, Carol Summers, Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, Robert Stackhouse, Akio Takamori, Ruben Trejo, Tomoe Yokoi and Zhao Zongzao.

There is a free public reception for both this show and “Ron Tan: Work and Play” (see following item) next Thursday from 6 to 7:15 p.m. The exhibition runs through Oct. 11.

‘Ron Tan: Work, Play’

In the Jundt Art Museum’s Arcade Gallery, just outside the “Recent Gifts” exhibition, is “Ron Tan: Work and Play.”

The parallel display cases include photographs and blueprints of architect Tan’s additions to Gonzaga University. Juxtaposed with the architectural works are more than a dozen colorful Calcutta fighting kites, highlighting the “play” aspect of Tan’s presentation.

Meet Tan next Thursday from 6 to 7:15 p.m. in the gallery. He will give a free lecture on his work in the Jundt Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.

The exhibit is on view through Nov. 18; admission is free. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. For more information call (509) 323-6613.

Studio tour

More than 30 artists are showing their work during the third annual, self-guided Spokane Town and Country Studio Tour on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Studios and artists include:

•Studio 1, 7903 N. Regal St.: Marsha Marcuson, oil and acrylic paintings; Sandra Hiller, sculpted leather; Carol Schmauder, watercolor paintings; Irene Dahl, pastel, egg tempera and oil on copper paintings; Hilda Bradshaw, pottery.

•Studio 2, 727 E. Wabash Ave.: Darrell Sullens, oils; Patti Osebold, Japanese paper dolls and origami; Dian Zahner, watercolors; Keiko Von Holt, Sumi-e and watercolor paintings.

•Studio 3, 2618 N. Wall St.: Fred Warren, pen and ink, acrylics, pencil; Paul Van Roy, pastels and acrylics; Shirley Bird Wright, watercolors and oils; Nathaniel Morse, photography; Nadine Kay Sherman, watercolor, glass.

•Studio 4, 2903 W. Sinto Ave.: Chris and Leah Eddy, photography; Leata Judd, papier-mâché; Marty and Kathy Kaylor, fused glass; Angelia Di Chiara-Hardin, oils; Rene Rigsby, watercolors.

•Studio 5, 3321 W. Holyoke Ave.: Vicki West, watercolors, Katie Densley, oils, watercolors, wire and cement sculpture; Fabian Napolsky, watercolors; Lezlie Finet, pottery; Robert Wiese, photography.

•Studio 6, 7315 N. Excell St.: Viola Unger, watercolors; Victoria Brace, oils; Jan Juday, silk, mixed media, acrylics; Janna Juday, photography, bead weaving, mixed media; Debbie Hughbanks, paintings; Patricia Garibay, blown glass.

Pick up tour maps at the William Grant Gallery, 820 W. Francis Ave. For more information call (509) 484-3535 or go online to www.studioarttour.com.

‘POAC’s Own’

The Pend Oreille Arts Council’s new art exhibit, “POAC’s Own,” opens Friday with an artists’ reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the POAC Gallery in the Power House, 120 Lake St. in Sandpoint.

“This show is always a community favorite because it showcases the talent and creativity of local artists,” POAC representative Sue Vogelsinger says in a news release.

Artists with works in the show include Michael Pinchera, Katherine Haynes, Catherine Earle, Barbara Field, Bonnie Shields, Eileen Marcotte, Carver Kearney, Isabeau Le Chevalier, Rachel Dolezal, Brent Flint and Steve Wylie.

An array of works will be shown, including paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry, woodworking, dolls, quilts and ceramics.

The show runs through Nov. 27. For more information call (208) 263-6139 or visit www.ArtinSandpoint.org.

Sacred Grounds

On Sacred Grounds: Coffee, Tea, & Specialty Shoppe is showing “In Our Backyard,” featuring the photographs of Judy M. Hankel.

Hankel, who grew up on a working farm in Worley, Idaho, says she’s trying “to show some of the hidden beauty that surrounds the countryside and graces the homes of the Palouse.”

An artist’s reception is on Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. The work can be seen through Oct. 11.

On Sacred Grounds is located at 12212 E. Palouse Highway (corner of Palouse and Madison) in Valleyford. Call (509) 747-6294 for directions or information.

Other galleries

•A group of quilt artists is displaying textile art on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Atrium Court on the street level of River Park Square. This display is in addition to the “Imaginations Unleashed” art quilt exhibit in the Kress Gallery on the third level.

•Ric Gendron will demonstrate his acrylic painting techniques on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Tinman Gallery, 811 W. Garland Ave. There will be a display of his paintings featuring literal and spiritual depictions of birds.