Art student Lizette Torson winner of best painting with Grant Hottle chair of art department.
Archer Gallery was buzzing as dozens of student artists stood in front of their creations and talked to art appreciators about their work.
The opening reception and awards ceremony for the Art Student Annual exhibition of Clark College art students drew students, faculty, staff, family members and the community.
Although the gallery’s student art show returned to an in-person event last year, it was subdued. This year, it was noisy. The space was filled with conversations and people connecting over art.
“This is the first student art exhibit that feels like we’re back,” said Grant Hottle, art department chair. “We have an astonishing level of work here. Our art faculty are great. We have an extraordinary group of students who work hard.”
There were 150 submissions of student work for this year’s show; 65 pieces were chosen, said Archer Gallery Director Kendra Larson. Students created their work in the past year. Their art professors curated the work.
“The strength and breath of this artwork reflects the hard work, dedication, and unique voices of our amazing Clark Students,” said Larson. “It was a fun celebration of all the art students and their hard work.”
Artwork will be on display from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday until the closing reception on June 9.
Awards prizes were provided by Blick Art Materials, Georgies Ceramics and Clay, Gamblin Paint, Clay Art Center, PICA, McClain’s Printmaking, Collage, ProPhoto Supply, and Blue Moon Camera and Machine.
Student Syd Ness with his award-winning digital art.
Award Winners
The awards juror was Prudence Roberts, writer, curator, and art historian. Here are her choices:
Most Ambitious – Samantha Garcia Ortiz, for “Wine & Cheese Glasses Master Study”
Solo Show Award – Lissette Torson
Most Poignant – Syd Ness, for “Self Portrait”
Best in Photography – Richard Cole, for “This Too shall Pass”
Second in Photography – Tahnee Calderon Hernandez, for “Win a Prize”
Third in Photography – Julia Smook, for “Lab”
Best in Drawing – Colin Johnson, for “A Quiet Place”
Second in Drawing – Chelsie Cannon, for “10 things I Thought Were Good Ideas at the Time”
Best in Painting – Lissette Torson, for “Growth”
Second in Painting – Juan Carlos Garcia, for “Civilization”
Best in Ceramics – Denise Ostlund, for “Beyond Belief #2”
Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish
Artists Selected for Boschma Farms
Left to right: Washington State Arts Commission project manager Valerie Peterman with RYAN! Feddersen, Sarah Folden, Corbin Jones and Brian Perry at the Clark College at Boschma Farms site.
Clark College, in partnership with the Washington State Arts Commission, has selected an artist for the Advanced Manufacturing Building for its Boschma Farms campus in Ridgefield, Washington. After a call for artist submissions, the Clark College Art Selection committee selected emerging artist, Sarah Folden to lead a group of artists to create public art for the new campus, expected to open in Fall 2025.
Standing at the far east end of Pioneer St, in Ridgefield, WA stands (left to right) Tre Sandlin, Vanessa Neal, Corbin Jones, Sarah Folden, Brooke Pillsbury, Kyle Womack, Valerie Peterman, Dominick Allen, Senseney Stokes, Jim Watkins, Brian Ferry, and Tammy Boyer. Behind is the site for the Advanced Manufacturing Building. (not pictured RYAN! Feddersen and Jenny Shadley)
Clark College President, Dr. Karin Edwards, said, “We are excited that Sarah Folden will be leading a group of talented, Native American artists in creating public art for this building at Clark College at Boschma Farms. I look forward to seeing their art come to life on our new campus.”
“To say this project could be life changing for me would be an understatement,” said Folden. “More importantly, it would be life changing to the other young lives I connect with and simply an honor to help reflect the college’s partnership with my tribe on this project for the Boschma Farms campus.”
The committee also has engaged artist and curator RYAN! Feddersen to curate existing artworks to purchase for the building in addition to work that will be created specifically for the space.
Clark College at Boschma Farms will be similar to the college’s other auxiliary campuses at Columbia Tech Center and Washington State University Vancouver. Clark College at Boschma Farms will offer a variety of programs to serve the community and equip students to complete a program at Clark College and be workforce ready. Eventually, the campus is expected to include classrooms, professional labs, offices, study areas, services and support spaces. Construction of the 48,000 square-foot building will begin June 2023 and is projected to be completed by Winter 2024. Classes are projected to start in Fall 2025.
Building architect Kyle Womack, Hennebery Eddy Architects, Inc., (center) reviews the building plans with the artists, curator, and art selection committee on Monday April 24, at the Ridgefield Library before going to on a site visit.
About the artists and curator:
Sarah Folden, a Cowlitz tribal member, creates art inspired by her heritage and ancestral connection to place. Folden’s work is both traditional and contemporary, integrating many mediums and carved block printmaking. After a career in tribal fisheries, she became a self-taught artist who learned Coast Salish design from accomplished indigenous artists Peter Boome and Brian Perry.
Folden’s public art can be seen in a 26-foot Coast Salish mural at the ferry landing terminal on Orcas Island. Folden has worked on three high school mascot redesigns recently in a Coast Salish style. She is currently illustrating an indigenous foods book, designing multiple murals to be installed Summer of 2023 and has designed huge chandeliers inspired by native hand drums which will be displayed throughout the new ilani Resort Hotel that opened April 24, 2023. She also joined the Membership Board for Whipsmart, Washington State’s only trade association dedicated to supporting the creative community. Folden teaches art to native youth, and volunteers for public art groups supporting environmental and social causes.
Corbin Jones, a Cowlitz tribal member, is a high school senior whose interests and areas of focus are natural resources and computer sciences. Corbin is studying 3D computer graphics, animation, and commercial art. They have recently found their first professional success in commercial art sales. As a neurodivergent person on the autism spectrum, Corbin has found their place supporting other youth with differences and organizes a weekly art and gaming club offering social opportunities to area kids.
Brian Perry (Hopi-Cheelth), a Port Gamble S’Klallam tribal member and artist with lineage in Quinault, Suquamish and Makah, learned traditional carving from his grandfather and uncles and became interested in Northwest Coast art when he took classes from David Boxley. He studied with Duane Pasco, Dave Franklin, and Eddie Charles. His work captures the essence of characters from traditional tribal stories.
Perry transitioned from a 20-year career in fisheries to a successful public artist in 2014 when his small sketch turned into a significant sculpture at his tribe’s new hotel. Creating a scaled drawing and collaborating with a metal shop, Perry’s work became a 46-foot-tall steel sculpture. He has since created two 36-foot Salish sea-going canoes, a 12-foot house post and a 12-foot glass sculpture at the Burke Museum. https://www.northwestcoastalart.com/
RYAN! Feddersen’s (Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation) public artworks include Inhabitance for the Portland International Airport, Schema for CitizenM Pioneer Square, and Antecedents for the University of Washington. She has curated exhibitions for the Portland Art Muse, New Burke Museum, and Museum of Northwest Art and a collection of artwork for Kamiak Elementary School in Pullman, Washington. http://ryanfeddersen.com/about/
About Art in Public Places Program
Washington State Arts Commission’s Art in Public Places program (AIPP) purchases and cares for artworks in state buildings, colleges, universities, and schools throughout Washington. Its goal is to build and care for a state art collection that is impactful, accessible, valued, and reflects Washington’s diverse communities. Learn more about Washington State Arts Commission: https://www.arts.wa.gov/public-art/
About Clark College
Founded in 1933 and celebrating its 90th year, Clark College provides residents of Southwest Washington with affordable, high-quality academic and technical education. It is a public community college offering more than 100 degree and certificate programs, including bachelor’s and associate degrees; professional certificates; high school diplomas and GED preparation; and non-credit community and continuing education. Clark serves a wide range of students including high school students, displaced workers, veterans, parents, non-native English speakers, and mature learners. Approximately three-quarters of its students are in the first generation of their families to attend college.
On May 22, Archer Gallery was filled with visitors for the opening of the 2019 Art Student Annual Exhibition. This event showcases the best artwork produced by Clark art students in the past academic year. Students compete not only for a spot in the show, but also for awards sponsored by local businesses and organizations.
The exhibition is on display through June 15. Archer Gallery is open 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, and noon to 5:00 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The gallery is located in the lower level of the Penguin Union Building on Clark College’s main campus.
Additional photos of the show are available on our Flickr page.
2019 Art Student Annual Award Recipients
Best in Show and Most Ambitious Stevie Hale, “New Mythology” Sponsored by the Clark College Bookstore and the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art
Best Drawing John Gasaway, “Bling” Sponsored by the Clark College Bookstore and Collage Art Supply
Best Ceramics Shirley Morgan, “Boh, Of Course” Sponsored by Georgie’s Ceramics
Ceramics, 2nd Place Jessica Joner,“Peonies” Sponsored by Clay Art Center
Ceramics, 3rd Place Stephanie Bowen, “Enlightened” Sponsored by Georgie’s Ceramics
Best Graphic Design Michael Fulgaro, “Visit Northwest” Sponsored by Artist and Craftsman Art Supply
Best Metal Art Channa Smith, “Ready to Potlatch” Sponsored by MESA at Clark
Best Painting Danielle Truckey, “Portrait of a Girl” Sponsored by Gamblin Paints
Painting, 2nd place Jewel Indino, “Abstract Figure” Sponsored by Liquitext Paint Company
Painting, 3rd place Katie Hyland, “Listening In” Sponsored by Golden Paint Company
Best Photography Keyanna Owen,“Untitled” Sponsored by ProPhoto
Best Photography, Darkroom Michelle Berg, “Big Picture” Sponsored by Blue Moon Camera
Best Photography, Digital Avalon Guerra, “Window Pane” Sponsored by ProPhoto
Photography Award of Distinction T.J. West, “Homeowrk” Sponsored by Blue Sky Gallery
Best Video Hayley Estep, “Woman Not Product” Sponsored by Northwest Film Center
Merit Award Sage Makela, “Album Covers” Sponsored by the Clark College Bookstore
Award of Distinction Don Anderson, “A Man Has Many Moods” Sponsored by the Clark College Bookstore
Photo: Nick Bremer/Clark College
Student art on display
The 2018 Student Art Annual comprises approximately 150 student artworks.
Approximately 150 works of art by 93 Clark College students are on display at this year’s Student Art Show in Archer Gallery. Clark College art faculty narrowed down from an original pool of about 400 submissions. Artist Victor Maldonado made the final adjudication of awards. Maldonado is Inclusion Specialist and Professor of Art at the Pacific Northwest College of Art and was part of Clark College’s Art Talk series earlier this academic year.
The show runs through June 16. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Friday through Saturday 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. Archer Gallery is located in the lower level of the Penguin Union Building on Clark College’s main campus.
2018 Art Student Annual Award Recipients
Best in Show
Joanna Lafayette, “Sad Jo” Sponsored by Artist and Craftsman Supply and Dengerink Art Supply
Award of Excellence
Bryce Van Patten, “Emma” Sponsored by Dick Blick Art Supply
Award of Excellence
Stephanie Hale, “Inner Machinations” Sponsored by the Clark College Bookstore
Award of Excellence
Emily Clark, “Re-define Woman” Sponsored by the Clark College Bookstore
Award of Merit
Albina Kokhanevich, “Self-portrait”
Sponsored by Collage Art Supply
Best Ceramics
Channa Smith, “Reconciliation of the Ancestors” Sponsored by Clay Art Center
Ceramics Award of Excellence
Sara Brandt, “Vase” Sponsored by Georgie’s Ceramics
Ceramics Award of Distinction
Eric Burres, “Stellar Rust” Sponsored by Georgie’s Ceramics
Ceramics Award of Merit
Chiara Marcy, “Light Beyond the Breaking Point” Sponsored by Georgie’s Ceramics
Best Photography Award
Lexi Dufault, “Tomorrow Looking Into Today” Sponsored by Pro Photo
Photography Award of Excellence
Tricia Davis-Payne, “Windows” Sponsored by Pro Photo
Photography Award of Excellence
Gwenn McGill, “Hidden Memories” Sponsored by Blue Moon Camera
Photography Award of Excellence
Cy’aira Shotwell, “Disconnect” Sponsored by Blue Sky Gallery
Best Metal Arts
Ray Bennett, “Mask” Sponsored by Handley’s Rock and Jewelry Supply
Best Welded Sculpture
Scott Kemper, “Love Blossoms” Sponsored by the Clark Welding department
Welded Sculpture Award of Excellence
Ashley Kemper, “A Bowl in a Garden” Sponsored by the Clark Welding department
Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley. For more photos from the show, see our Flickr album.
Clark instructor earns Guggenheim
Orlando, Florida, June 12, 2016 is one of a series of paintings from Stephen Hayes’ project In the Hour Before, for which he received a 2018 Guggenheim Fellowship. Image courtesy of Stephen Hayes/Elizabeth Leach Gallery.
Clark College is proud to announce that adjunct art instructor Stephen Hayes has been named a 2018 Guggenheim Fellow in Fine Arts. Hayes is one of 175 scholars, artists, and scientists from the U.S. and Canada to receive this honor from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation.
“As one of the few community colleges in the state to offer an Associate in Fine Arts degree, Clark College takes pride in the high level of quality of the faculty members who teach in our studio arts programs,” said Professor Lisa Conway, chair of the college’s art department. “We are thrilled, though in no way surprised, by Stephen’s latest accomplishment.”
Hayes has taught classes including drawing, color design, and two-dimensional design at Clark since 2012, shortly after he presented a lecture during the college’s popular Clark Art Talks series. Besides Clark, his teaching experience includes Oregon State University and Yarmouk University. As an artist, Hayes has held over 35 solo exhibitions in the U.S. and abroad, and his works are housed in the collections of the New York Public Library, the Frans Masereel Centrum voor Grafiek in Kasterlee, Belgium, The Portland Art Museum, The Hallie Ford Museum, The Gates Foundation, Lewis and Clark College and more than 100 private and public collections in the United States, Europe, and Japan.
Hayes, who lives in Portland, will use the fellowship’s funding to pursue a project titled InThe Hour Before, in which he uses Google Earth to view places that have been affected by gun violence and paints them as they would be seen in the hour before the violent event took place.
“It is both exciting and humbling to be awarded this fellowship,” said Hayes. “So many artists are as deserving of this kind of recognition. I have worked with focus for a long time and have gotten a few breaks over the years with exhibitions, grants, and awards. This one feels as if it can not only be a recognition for past efforts, but also can open doors to new possibilities.
Long-time art faculty member and gallery director James “Jim” Archer passed away on Tuesday, November 28. He was 75 years old.
Archer grew up in Vancouver and received his Associate of Arts degree from Clark College before going on to earn his Bachelor of Arts in graphic design from Portland State University and his Master of Fine Arts from Washington State University. Afterward he returned to Clark College to teach. In addition to serving as gallery director, Jim taught art and art history at Clark College for 23 years.
Archer originally became curator of Clark’s art gallery in 1982, when it was still located within the Clark College Bookstore and was called the Index Gallery. Successful in attracting well-known Northwest artists, the Index Gallery became known as one the region’s top alternative venues for contemporary artists. Archer announced his retirement in 1995. That same year, the gallery—which by then had been relocated to a larger space within Gaiser—was renamed in Archer’s honor. It moved to its current location in the lower level of the Penguin Union Building in 2005.
In 2016, Archer donated much of his private art collection to Clark College; selected works from the collection were shown in the gallery that bears his name, in an exhibit called “Archer @ Archer.”
Current and retired art faculty joined together to issue the following statement about their colleague’s passing:
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Jim Archer. Jim was the first director of the Archer Gallery, a position he held from 1982 to 1995. He established the traditions and mission that are central to the Archer Gallery. Under his direction, the gallery quickly gained a regional reputation for exhibiting emerging Northwest artists due to his prescient eye for recognizing young talent. Through the next several decades, significant regional artists could point to their initial exhibition in the Vancouver-Portland metro area at Clark College’s Archer (formerly Index) Gallery.
Jim was a passionate, sometimes fierce, man with strong opinions. The gallery exists in its present form because of the battles that Jim fought to shape it. All of his strength and determination was needed for his struggle with AIDS. Jim was diagnosed with HIV in 1987 and AIDS in 1994 before medications had been developed to manage the disease. In the winter of 1995 Jim became dangerously ill but survived and became an early successful recipient of the AIDS drug cocktail. The dignity, resolve, and humor with which he handled the treatments and advancing illness was inspiring. He never yielded to his illness and continued to live and enjoy life fully.
After his retirement from Clark in 1995, Jim continued to champion young artists: collecting work, visiting studios, and curating exhibits – including “Next/Now” (Littman Gallery, Portland State University) and “Modern Zoo” (St. Johns, Oregon).
Jim returned to his own studio work after retirement creating and exhibiting collage and painting on paper. Both his work and his art collection (much of which was donated to Clark College and the Hallie Ford Museum at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon) were featured in “Archer@Archer” in 2016.
Jim was a great friend, father to Stephen and Peter Archer, and Grandfather to Isabella (Bella) Archer.
There will be a memorial service on December 16 at 6:00 p.m. Holladay Park Plaza (1300 NE 16th Ave., Portland, Oregon), the retirement community where Archer lived until shortly before his death. Time and details are still being determined by the family; this article will be updated as details become available. The Archer Gallery is collecting cards and letters to give to the family during the service.
This article was updated 12/6/17 to reflect the new date of the memorial service. It was updated again on 12/11/17 to include the time of the service.
Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley
A year of talent
On May 16, the Archer Gallery was filled with visitors to the opening of the 2017 Art Student Annual Exhibition. This yearly event showcases the best artwork produced by Clark art students in the past academic year. Students compete not only for a spot in the show, but also for awards sponsored by local businesses and organizations. This year’s outside juror was Karl Burkheimer, head of the Master of Fine Arts program at the Oregon College of Art and Craft. Awards are listed below.
The exhibition is on display through June 16. The Archer Gallery is open 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, and noon to 5:00 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
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Best in Show, sponsored by Blick Art Materials
Ana Stoumbos, Figure Study, oil on paper
Most Ambitious, sponsored by Portland Institute for Contemporary Art
Meakia Blake, Connect, video
Solo Show Award, sponsored by Niche Wine Bar
Matt Harmon, Marsyes V. Apollo: Diana, oil on canvas
Best Painting or Drawing, sponsored by Clark Bookstore and Dengerink Art Supply Leah Adams, A Netherhole, oil on canvas
2nd Place Award, Painting or Drawing, sponsored by Clark Bookstore and Blick Art Materials Ray Bennett, Self-portrait in Ink, ink on paper
3rd Place Award, Paiting or Drawing sponsored by Clark Bookstore Julie Foley, Zelda Series, metal
Best Video or Time-based Art, sponsored by Artist & Craftsman Supply Ana Stoumbos, Transit, video
2nd place Video or Time-based Art, sponsored by Collage Art and Craft Supplies Jonno Heyne, Paradoxial Adventures of Grayman II, ink marker and digital graphics
Best Graphic Arts, sponsored by the Art Gym at Marylhurst University Tricia Davis-Payne, Do You Know, digital illustration
Best Welded Sculpture, sponsored by Clark Welding Department Marie Perrin Ogier, Untitled, metal
Best Photography, sponsored by Pro Photo Supply Isiah Huntington, Expansivity, digital photograph
Newspace Scholarship Award, sponsored by Newspace Center for Photography
Jennifer Avens, Omnia Mors Aequat, silver gelatin print
2nd Place Photography Award, sponsored by Pro Photo Supply Dayna Bojanowski,Under, digital photograph
3rd Place Photography Award, sponsored by Blue Moon Camera Matthew Philbrook, Forgotten, black and white photograph
Blue Sky Membership Award, sponsored by Blue Sky, the Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts Kelly Pearce, Pieces of Home, photographs
Best Ceramic Art, sponsored by Clay Art Center Lauren Duquette, Blue Pitcher, ceramic
2nd Place Ceramic Art, sponsored by Georgie’s Ceramics and Clay Aleks Dernovoy, Mechanical Tulip, ceramic
3rd place Ceramic Art, sponsored by Georgie’s Ceramics and Clay Stephani Ueltschi, Pressure, ceramic
4th place Ceramic Art, sponsored by Georgie’s Ceramics and Clay Colton Rasanen, Planter, ceramic
Photography by Clark College/Jenny Shadley. More photos on our Flickr page.
Phoenix embraces transformation
Student Jorin Copeland turns to his artwork featured in the 2017 Phoenix.
On May 16, Clark College’s award-winning art and literary journal, Phoenix, unveiled its 2017 edition at a reception in PUB 161. Taking inspiration from the Clark community, the Phoenix staff adopted the collegewide theme of Transformation for the new journal. Through more than 70 works of poetry, fiction, interviews, photography, paintings, and more, contributors’ pieces explore moments of change and growth.
At the reception, Clark student and Phoenix managing editor Megan Robb spoke of the personal challenges she has faced and how it inspired her to write a poem for the journal titled “Inner Reflection.”
“We have the choice to transform ourselves repeatedly, shedding the dark, hurtful pieces of our soul and regaining some beauty. This is what I was doing when I wrote this piece,” Robb said. “I had decided it was time to stop wallowing in the unfamiliarity I felt with myself and begin readying myself for change, for regeneration, a personal transformation that brought me to the doors of this college.”
Beyond the personal, transformation is a natural part of creating Phoenix, says fiction editor Ashlee Nelson. She spoke at the reception about the unique perspectives that each year’s students brings to the publication and the possibilities that arise when different creative minds collaborate.
“Whatever next year’s edition of Phoenix brings, it will be its own,” said Nelson. “It will represent Clark’s creative student body and their interests. It will be Clark at a moment in time before it transforms again, as students become alumni, and community members become students. There is something special about Phoenix in this way.”
The staff of the 2017 Phoenix. Faculty co-advisor Liz Donley (black jacket) stands in the center.
The Clark community is not the only one that recognizes how special Phoenix is—the journal recently won the National Program Directors’ Prize for design for undergraduate literary magazines by the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP).
Each year, AWP honors two national undergraduate journals with a content and a design award, and past winners have included journals from Columbia University, The New School, Kansas City Art Institute, University of Washington, and other prestigious institutions. This is the first time in a decade that the award has gone to a two-year college.
The judge for this year’s award, Lisa Noble, Creative Services Manager of Edelman Financial Services, wrote, “From cover to cover Phoenix stands out as an exemplary publication in design, quality, and concept . . . The publishers of Phoenix should feel very proud of what they’ve created. It is an important collaboration that succeeds in showcasing the diversity of talented individuals who chose Clark College to develop their craft.”
Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley. To see more photos from the event, visit our Flickr album.
Exploring Subtext
The Clark College Columbia Writers Series is offering a full week of writers, readings, and events on the college’s main campus during its third annual Subtext Literary Festival. From May 15-18, the college will host well-known authors, as well as readings by Clark students and faculty.
All events are free and open to the public. Directions and maps are available online. Individuals who need accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event should contact Clark College’s Disability Support Services (DSS) Office at 360-992-2314 or 360-991-0901 (VP). The DSS office is located in room 013 in Clark’s Penguin Union Building.
The Columbia Writers Series was launched at Clark College in 1988, bringing local, national and international authors to the college and the region. Information about the Columbia Writers Series is available at www.clark.edu/cc/cws.
Arwen Spicer, an instructor in the English department, will lead this workshop, which will provide a fun opportunity to engage in guided writing and discussion about imagining bright futures for our world. Each participant will leave the workshop with a final piece of writing that outlines their vision for a better society. The workshop is free and open to the public. Although participants are encouraged to come for the full two hours, drop-ins are also welcome.
Clark College’s national award-winning art and literary journal, Phoenix, will unveil its 2016-2017 edition with readings from student authors and free copies available for guests. The 2015-2016 edition of Phoenix just earned the prize for Best Design from the Association of Writers & Writing Programs—the first time the award has gone to a two-year college in a decade.
May 17, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m., PUB 258A: Clark Crossings Student and Faculty Reading
Students and faculty will read from their own work or from the work of their favorite writers. Each reading will relate to the college theme of “Transformation,” and fiction, poetry, and memoir will all be included.
May 18, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m., PUB 161: Fiction writer Peter Rock
Peter Rock is a professor of creative writing at Reed College. His most recent book is SPELLS, a novel-within-photographs that is a collaboration with five photographers and concerns shadows and bodies, the living and the dead, talking animals and all manner of shape-shifting. He is also the author of the novels Klickitat, The Shelter Cycle, My Abandonment, The Bewildered, The Ambidextrist, Carnival Wolvesand This Is the Place, and a story collection, The Unsettling.
Catching dreams, sharing history
Brent Learned talks about George Curtis Levi’s traditional “ledger art” with attendees of the 2016 Student of Color Luncheon.
The winter 2016 Student of Color Luncheon was filled with history–some of it long in the past, and some of it being made right then. The event featured artists Brent Learned and George Curtis Levi, whose work is currently being featured at the Clark County Historical Museum, speaking about atrocities committed against their ancestors in the 19th century. It also marked the bestowal of Clark’s first scholarship designated specifically for a Native American student.
Dream Catcher Scholarship recipient Channa Smith
The Clark College Dream Catcher Scholarship was first announced at the college’s annual Native American celebration in 2014. Clark student Channa Smith said she was honored to be its inaugural recipient. “When I first applied for the scholarship, I didn’t think much about it beyond, ‘Oh, it would be nice to have some money,'” she said at the reception. “But it’s been really transformative. I didn’t think how much it would mean to me to be recognized for my hard work.”
Smith has been very active in the community, both at the college and in Southwest Washington. A Coast Salish tribe member, she helped start Clark’s new Native American Cultural Club and has participated in local Chinook tribal activities since moving to the area.
Channa Smith was named the inaugural recipient of the Dream Catcher Scholarship at the 2016 Student of Color Luncheon. Multicultural Retention Manager Felisciana Peralta, right, presented the scholarship.
After the scholarship was presented to Smith, Learned and Levi spoke about creating the art that makes up “One November Morning.” This exhibit depicts the Sand Creek Massacre of November 29, 1864, when more than 150 Cheyenne and Arapaho people were killed in Sand Creek, Colorado, by U.S. Army soldiers.
“You have to know where you come from to know where you’re going, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” said Levi during the presentation. He urged students at the luncheon to remember their own history and communities as they progressed in life. “Go back to your communities after you graduate and give back,” he said.
“One November Morning” will be on display at the Clark County Historical Museum through May 28. As part of its “Native Voices” exhibit, the Clark College Libraries is hosting a free art walk on Friday, March 4, that begins at Cannell Library with a reception, then visits the Native American basketry currently on display at Archer Gallery, and ends at the Clark County Historical Museum.
The spring 2016 Student of Color Luncheon will be held in May. It will feature the announcement of the recipient of Clark’s 2016 Constance Baker Motley Scholarship, which is given each year to a Clark College student of color.
