Student creativity shines in the Arts Gallery

The Visual Arts Gallery has been covered heavily by the Advocate this year, each story an array of new local art. This final exhibit, however, may be the most local yet: an exhibit of our own Mt. Hood student-produced art.

The exhibit opened in the Visual Arts Gallery May 9 and will stay open for viewing through June 2.

Like many of the exhibits before, the work presented in the Visual Arts Gallery varies in form, from mixed-media to sculpture to illustration, painting, printmaking (referred to as ‘woodcut’

in the gallery) and more.

For me, most notable is a medium called a woodcut. Learned under a printmaking art class, a woodcut is a type of print made from a slab of carved wood. Through the grooves and divots in the wood, it creates a piece that utilizes white and negative space. An example of a woodcut displayed in the gallery right now is a piece by student Victoria Jefferson, called “Untitled.” It features a profile of young woman with textures framing her and imprinted within her shadow to give an idea of what culture she comes from.

As for the awards, students are ranked in categories.

First place is called Best of Show, an award that went to Shyla Streeter from the Art 256 ceramics class. Her collection titled “Blue Lotus Vessels” is a three-part ceramic vase series, each with a lotus design imprinted into the side of the vase.

After Best of Show, there is a second place award given to student Elle Coles from the Art 281 painting class. Her piece, “Alluvium Hermetic,” is a large painting work with vivid colors and  a geometric flow that gives the design an interesting look.

After first and second, there are two faculty recognitions. One is for Molly Anderson on her 3D clay creation titled “Mother,” a vivid portrayal of who we can only assume is her own mother; the other, for April Kim for her 2D painting, titled “The beginning of the End.”

As for the rest of the work in the Visual Arts Gallery, there are many green Honorable Mention ribbons throughout the show. These include “Raven,” a woodcut by the artist Caveman; “Nocturnal Balance” by Amanda Caldwell; “Teapots” by Michael Taylor; “Two Towers” by Daniel McNamara; “We’ll Be Down by the River” by Jessica Fantroy; and “Camera Man” by Megan Mill.