Art Archives - ��سԹ�

Art exhibit at ��سԹ� revisits pro-nuclear art movement to spark a new conversation about energy

Kyle Kopta — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 22:52:54 +0000

A new art exhibit at Washington State University Tri-Cities revisits a surprising moment in Washington state history, when Seattle artists rallied in support of a nuclear reactor once located at Hanford. The exhibit, Load the Reactor: A Study for the New Nuclear, opens Sept. 4 at the Art Center in the Consolidated Information Center on the ��سԹ� campus and runs through Feb. 27, 2026.

Drawing that shows that the FFTF reactor utilized several Hanford testing areas in its early design planning.

The exhibit is inspired by a 1992 collaboration between artists and nuclear energy proponents, sparked by sculptor James Acord, who moved from Seattle to the Tri-Cities and immersed himself in Hanford’s nuclear community. Acord’s influence led a group of Seattle artists—calling themselves “YIMBYs” (Yes In My Backyard)—to advocate for the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF), a prototype breeder reactor located at Hanford. Their campaign culminated in a series of performances called Load the Reactor at Seattle’s Fremont Fine Arts Foundry, which brought together artists, scientists and the public to discuss the future of nuclear energy.

“The idea of pro-nuclear Seattle artists might seem counterintuitive,” said Brian Freer, co-curator of the exhibit and research fellow at the Hanford History Project. “But the collaboration that unfolded was visionary—an early example of how artists can help shape conversations around energy, technology and policy.”

The exhibit features works by artists James L. Acord, Arthur S. Aubry, Warren Dykeman, Joe Feddersen, Etsuko Ichikawa, Paul Korsmo and Jay Needham. Through a range of multimedia installations, visitors are invited to explore themes including past, present and future reactor technologies, public engagement with nuclear energy, the role of artificial intelligence and data centers, and the evolving relationship between art and science.

A free public opening will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4 at ��سԹ� in the Art Center and will feature talks by curator Rachel Allen of the Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC); Bruce Hevly, professor of history at the University of Washington; and Jay Needham, artist and professor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

“On behalf of the Hanford History Project, we are thrilled to bring this exhibit to the Tri-Cities community,” Freer said. “My co-curator, Rock Hushka, and I are excited to showcase the intersection of nuclear history and artistic interpretation.”

Freer said additional programming will accompany the exhibit, including a roundtable discussion and community events focused on today’s energy challenges.

“Our goal is to create a forum for exploration, reflection and dialogue,” he said. “With renewed interest in nuclear energy driven by the need to decarbonize and power a growing digital economy, this exhibit invites the public to consider what a ‘new nuclear’ future might look like—and how art can help us get there.”

The exhibit is sponsored by the ��سԹ� Hanford History Project.

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��سԹ� art classes join forces for collaborative exhibit

Kyle Kopta — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 20:20:01 +0000

By Lacey Desserault

Physical currency has been reimagined by students in two art classes at Washington State University Tri-Cities, who joined forces for a unique exhibit showcasing new designs for money. The designs are on display in the CIC building on the ��سԹ� campus. ��

Paper note artists (L-R): Tony Olivares, Cole Purvis. Coin artists (L-R): Ellie Welch, Justus Jones, Connor Cox

The two classes, Art 103: 3D art and design, and Art 332: digital art and design, were tasked with rethinking what the future of currency could look like by using skills they learned throughout the semester. Students from each class were divided into pairs and given the opportunity to design a bank note and coin pairing, as well as the monetary symbols used on each of them. The designs were first hand-drawn, then designed electronically. The bank notes were then printed on paper, while the coins were 3-D printed, then cast in aluminum through sand casting.��

Professors Marguerite Finch, who teaches 3D art and design, and Peter Christenson, who teaches digital art and design, developed the assignment to consider the history behind currency as one of the first versions of mass-produced art by the Greeks and Romans. With the advent of credit cards, physical currency is used less frequently, so the assignment required students to think creatively and collaboratively about the interpreted values of their end products.��

“I have always enjoyed collaborating with other instructors on assignments and appreciate this opportunity to work with Professor Christenson and his class,” said Finch. “Prompts like this give students an opportunity to creatively work through a problem and see visually how you can develop a concept in different ways, but that can still be unified as an end result.”��

Paper note artists (L-R): Connor Mitchell, Zianna Moon. Coin artists (L-R): Michael Rosenstock, Brianna Blakely

Connor Mitchell, a student in the digital art and design class, appreciated working with one of his favorite professors while having creative freedom to consider the possible uses for his designed currency. “We decided to utilize aquatic elements in our designs as a way to create something that could be used in international trade. I enjoyed creating something that may not be the most practical, but is rather a fun and creative exercise.”��

The currencies will be displayed in CIC until the end of January.

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Photography exhibit at ��سԹ� inspires connection to migrant farmworker history in the Yakima Valley

Kyle Kopta — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 22:56:42 +0000

By Lacey Desserault

In recognition of Hispanic Heritage month, Washington State University (WSU) Tri-Cities hosted a multi-dimensional series of events that highlighted the lives of Yakima Valley farmworkers from the 1960s and 70s and their fight for improved working and living conditions. Using photography, guest speakers, film, and writing the ��سԹ� campus community and the greater Tri-Cities region had the opportunity to experience, appreciate and celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The events inspired connection, compassion, and understanding through shared memories and storytelling.

The centerpiece of the Hispanic Heritage month events was the exhibit, “Rooted: Irwin Nash Photographs of Yakima Valley Farmworkers”. Nash originally started taking the photos as part of a freelance magazine piece on Yakima Valley agriculture, but it turned into a deeper documentation of Chicano livelihood. Nash captured over 9,400 photographs between 1967 and 1976, which had been previously largely unknown, displayed scenes from the daily lives of the Yakima Valley farmworker community. The experiences, stories, and perspectives seen in the photos, inspired visitors to share their stories and help document previously undocumented histories.

(L to R): Miguel Puente, Nora Gonzalez, Teresa Puente, and Yolanda Phillips speak about their family.

“The scenes captured through these photos reminded us of the enduring determination that defines the farmworkers’ resilience. Capturing the essence of these resilient farmworkers from 1967 to 1976 created a bridge from the past to the present, where we now reflect on the sacrifices made and the dreams we pursue. Not only did they work in the soil of the fields, but they planted seeds of a better future,” said Haydee Guzman, program coordinator for the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership and the driving force behind the exhibit and events.

The Nash exhibit and series of events was powerful for the ��سԹ� campus, which is the most diverse campus within the WSU system. Approximately 50% of students identify as people of color, with of the majority of those identifying as Hispanic.

“Bringing the Irwin Nash photograph collection to the ��سԹ� campus created an opportunity for us to understand the community we are a part of, the history of our region and, for many of us who are Latino/a/x, to understand our roots. As an extension of the exhibit, we were able to host knowledgeable speakers to educate us, share personal stories, and inspire us to act in compassion and in justice for the predominantly Latino/a/x families who continue to do the toughest jobs that contribute greatly to our region and society,” said Laura Sanchez, director of student services.

In addition to the Nash exhibit, ��سԹ� hosted speakers, films, and writing events that encouraged learning, conversation, and reflection about migrant farmworkers and their contributions to the region.

Speaker Series

WSU Regent Enrique Cerna talks about his experiences.

Several community leaders who had connections to the photos in the Nash exhibit were invited to speak about migrant farmworker movements, culture, and experiences. These campus events allowed students, staff, faculty, and the community to share their personal experiences in relation to the photos, ask thought-provoking questions, and learn more about migrant farmworkers in the Yakima Valley.

Human Rights Commissioner Lupe Gamboa points to familiar faces.

At a community reception, WSU Regent Enrique Cerna shared his personal experiences growing up in a farming family. The reception also brought together several families whose relatives were photographed and displayed in the gallery, establishing personal connections with the art.

Human rights commissioner and lifelong labor activist Lupe Gamboa presented his efforts in labor movements across the Yakima Valley, and how those movements impacted the future of farm labor. He shared a glimpse into the hard work and dedication that the movements required for implementing positive change.

Superior Court Judge Michael Fox talks to students and staff.

Superior court judge and farmworker labor lawyer Michael Fox spoke with students and staff about his experiences in protests and trials that fought for farmworker labor rights. His dedication to the cause was evident as he spoke about the struggles and successes he faced from a legal perspective.

Film

Two films were shown as an opportunity to provide context to the gallery of photos and help individuals feel comfortable asking questions and participating in conversations about migrant farmworkers and the labor movements.

The first film was a recording of a keynote address celebrating National Farmworkers Awareness Week hosted by the College Assistance Migrant Program at WSU Pullman, titled “Amplifying the Voices of Farmworkers”, which shared the story of Dolores Huerta, a leader in the United for Farmworkers Rights movement. The lunch and learn event encouraged students to view the address and discuss the significance of the individuals that lead the movement and how they related to the people in the photos.

The second film titled “Cesar Chavez” centered around Chavez’s leadership and activism in advocating for farmworkers, and inspiring others to fight for positive change.

Writing

To promote personal reflections on the topics discussed and learned, students and staff were invited to participate in several writing sessions. The participants were encouraged to develop their own understanding of the lives of migrant farmworkers from the displayed photographs and reflect on how they relate to the people around them.

��سԹ� Counseling and Wellness hosted a poem writing session, which allowed participants to utilize a creative outlet for their emotions and thoughts surrounding the topic of migrant farmworkers.

Two reflective writing sessions were also hosted, one for students and one for staff and faculty, which encouraged attendees to express their questions and thoughts in a longer format and think creatively and freely about their personal connections to those in the photographs.

��سԹ� Chancellor Sandra Haynes talks with Teresa Puente.

The gallery of Nash’s photography was a meaningful and impactful addition to campus, providing understanding, connection, and conversation surrounding Yakima Valley farmworkers. Though the photos showed a glimpse of the harsh reality for many families, it also displayed the joy and pride of each family and the legacy they passed on to future generations. Many visitors were able to connect emotionally with individuals and scenes in the photos, and some even recognized family members and relatives within them.

“Credit and commendations are in order for WSU and Mr. Irwin Nash,” said Miguel Puente, who spoke at the Irwin Nash community gallery reception about his family’s connection to the photos. “The ‘Rooted: Irwin Nash Photographs of Yakima Valley Farmworkers’ provided a valuable glimpse into the lives of farmworkers. The natural and unscripted scenes captured in black and white are timeless and powerful illustrations of the important contributions and inspiration that farmworkers have always contributed but rarely are recognized for. The collection triggered fond memories and untold stories amongst relatives, friends, and total strangers on the rich history of farmworkers in our region and beyond.”

Joel Aleman, a student at ��سԹ�, described the impactful connection he felt with the photos. “It’s inspiring to be reminded that, despite the hardships that we and our parents and even their parents have gone though, they toiled to get us to where we are now. I’m excited and determined to make sure that I leave a better path for those that come after me.”

Though the gallery was temporary for the ��سԹ� campus, the WSU Libraries Digital Collections will continue to make viewing the photos accessible through their website.

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‘Hanford Reach: In the Atomic Field’ art exhibit opens Feb. 2 at the ��سԹ� Art Center

Kyle Kopta — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 00:31:45 +0000

RICHLAND, Wash.— A multimedia art exhibition called “Hanford Reach: In the Atomic Field” featuring photography, sound and video opens Thursday, Feb. 2, at the Washington State University Tri-Cities Art Center in the Consolidated Information Center (CIC) building on campus.

��سԹ� will hold an opening reception for the exhibition from 5 – 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb.2, at the ��سԹ� Art Center in the Consolidated Information Center (CIC). The reception is free and open to the public. The showcase will run through April 14.

The exhibition by artist , explores the environmental and cultural legacies of the Hanford Site. Mural-scale photographs and a floor-projected video frame a sound collage. Excerpts from an archive of original first-person narratives are played in surround, juxtaposed to reflect the complexity of individual and collective memory. Source interviews include Hanford scientists and engineers, Native American elders, displaced farmers, farm-worker advocates, Downwinders, and a conversation recorded with an hibakusha: an atomic bomb survivor.

“I wanted to create a different kind of work that would put these different narratives, extremely different experiences, in one space and see what would happen while holding them all in respect,” said Allee.

The exhibition includes work by invited collaborators Michael Paulus, videography, and Jon Leidecker, sound design,��and an animation with Gregory Cosmo Haun. The show also features a print of the poem “Plume” by Richland native and former Washington state Poet Laureate Kathleen Flenniken.

MEDIA CONTACT(S)

Leslie Streeter, Office of Marketing and Communication, (509) 372-7333,��leslie.streeter@wsu.edu

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Students in FA 332 create artist book with absurd view of the Tri-Cities

Kyle Kopta — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 21:37:18 +0000

Students in Fine Arts 332 along with their professor Peter Christenson collaborated on a 34-page artist book called Codex Absurdum. The book features artistic works, haiku, and exquisite corpse style collaborative art projects that explore a Tri-Cities absurdist parallel universe. Students with work featured in the book are Devin Simpson, Lemmy Jean Suter, Nathan Finke, Newt Ernst, Sarah Torres.��

“As I see it, Codex Absurdum is a celebration of the inherent strangeness of the unique culture of the Tri-Cities,” said Suter, a junior studying psychology. “Our economy is propped up by cleaning up nuclear waste and making wine, and the city itself is constructed in the middle of one of the least-hospitable parts of the Inland Northwest. By all means, the existence of the Tri-Cities and its culture makes no sense. Yet here we are – and for those reasons, an artbook centered around absurdity and the culture of the Tri-Cities seems like an excellent celebration of the culture.”��

Nathan Finke, a senior majoring in digital technology and culture with a minor in art stated, “Codex Absurdum represents an organized chaos between all of the artists involved. We all have our own unique voices represented in the codex, but we also worked toward a common goal with the theme. I think it represents both collaboration and self-expression within our small part of the art community.”��

A collaborative digital piece featured in Codex Absurdum

Most of the art featured in the book was created through collaboration. In some cases, one person chose the photography while another person embellished the photo with other design elements using Photoshop. In one collaborative piece, class member Devin Simpson, a senior majoring in creative writing, created a photo of a deer with the head of a cougar standing on a hillside. Then another student added their own unique touches including a sign that says, “Caution Radiation”, and a barrel with a radiation symbol on it. Simpson said his favorite part of the project was making all the artwork, coming up with the concepts and adding the mythology. “It was fun to share ideas and a fun experiment in collaboration,” he said.

The book is also sprinkled with haikus, such as this one:��

Our minds, we forget.��

The process of destruction.��

Allows creation.��

The students interviewed for this story all plan to continue in the field of design and all but one have plans to stay in the Tri-Cities after graduation. Simpson is planning to attend graduate school. Suter hopes to stay in the Tri-Cities after she graduates to work in the anthropomorphic art scene and continue her work in 2D art and costume fabrication. Finke plans to stay in the Tri-Cities to continue doing digital technology work and art.��

The book was printed in limited quantities and is not available for purchase. One of the students set up a website for the project that can be found and perused .��

MEDIA CONTACT(S)

Leslie Streeter, Office of Marketing and Communication, (509) 372-7333,��leslie.streeter@wsu.edu

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��سԹ� fine art students design and paint a mural for Marcus Whitman Elementary School

Kyle Kopta — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 23:49:19 +0000

��سԹ� fine art students paint a mural they designed at Marcus Whitman Elementary school in Richland, WA: Razan Osman, Silvia Gomez-Hernandez, Steph Osorio, Carola Garcia-Mendez, Liz Jimenez, Elizabeth Yanes, Shanna Conner, Kali Cornwell, & Iratze Lomeli.

RICHLAND, WA – A group of fine arts students from Washington State University Tri-Cities brought the local landscape and inspiring words for students to life in a mural they designed for Marcus Whitman Elementary School.

Dustin Regul, fine arts professor at ��سԹ� said, “The purpose for this project was to bring art to the community and add to the aesthetic culture of the Tri-Cities. Plus, it was a great opportunity for students to get experience developing a public installation from concept to completion.”

The mural is located on the grounds of Marcus Whitman Elementary School in Richland. The ��سԹ� students came up with the design which features elements of the local landscape and a book filled with inspirational quotes collected from teachers who work at the school. The project took place during the spring semester and included approximately five meetings and two, eight-hour workdays to complete. In addition to the collaboration with the school, Griggs Ace Hardware made significant contributions to this project as well.

Regul initiated the project but said it was the hard work and dedication of the students that made it happen. “This is our first mural, and we hope to make this a yearly thing. In the fall we’ll look at planning one at another school.” Regul said.

Learn more about creative arts programs offered at ��سԹ� on the��College of Arts and Sciences website.

��سԹ� ��سԹ�

��سԹ� is located on shared traditional homelands of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation. As a leading public research university with a focus on energy, environment and agriculture, ��سԹ� delivers career-connected learning and innovative research that addresses economic and social challenges.

MEDIA CONTACT(S)

Leslie Streeter, Office of Marketing and Communication, (509) 372-7333, leslie.streeter@wsu.edu

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Finding community on either side of the Columbia River

Maegan Murray — Mon, 24 May 2021 17:56:31 +0000

Student finds passion for multimedia arts as result of experiences at BMCC and ��سԹ�

By Maegan Murray, ��سԹ�

RICHLAND, Wash. – When thinking about what college choice would be best for him, Hermiston native and future first-generation college student Kyle Kopta knew he wanted to stay close to home. It was a decision that would allow him to save money, but also gradually expand his network.

Kyle Kopta, ��سԹ� digital technology and culture alumnus, works on a computer in the Mac lab at ��سԹ�.

As a student, he completed the first year of his associate’s degree through as part of the program, which helped him save a year on costs of tuition and provided him with gradual entry into the college setting.

“It was a perfect fit for me, as it allowed me to meet my lower division general education requirements and quickly transfer as a junior to any institution of my choosing,” he said.

While at BMCC, Kopta said he enjoyed being near family while still maintaining that hometown environment. The community aspect, he said, was one of his favorite parts.

“It had a hometown feel where everyone knew each other,” he said. “It felt like an extension of the surrounding community, rather than being separate from it.”

When deciding what four-year university he wanted to pursue, affordability and proximity to family remained primary factors, in addition to his career interest in the multimedia arts. He discovered that Washington State University Tri-Cities, located just 40 minutes from Hermiston in Richland, Washington, had a digital technology and culture program. The program would allow him to apply his passion for photography, video, graphic design and fine arts as part of a well-rounded degree that had eventual outlets for a variety of career paths.

Seamless transfer to ��سԹ�

The transfer process between the two institutions, Kopta said, was seamless. He said with his AAOT degree, everything transferred to ��سԹ� without any problems.

“My experiences at BMCC laid the groundwork for helping me navigate higher education, in general,” he said. “As I moved to Washington and began my ��سԹ� journey, I felt well-equipped to tackle anything that came my way.”

Preparing for future career in multimedia arts

Kyle Kopta, ��سԹ� digital technology and culture alumnus, takes a photo along the river at the ��سԹ� campus.

Through digital technology and culture courses at ��سԹ�, Kopta learned the fundamentals of a wide variety of multimedia skills, ranging from graphic design, to video production, to sound editing, to photography, to typography and more. He said he enjoyed that the program didn’t put his passions into a single box.

“The digital technology and culture program here at ��سԹ� ended up being the next logical step for me in my career,” he said. “I was attracted to the multidisciplinary nature of the program because I knew it would allow me to explore all the things that interested me, simultaneously. Other programs were rigid in their approach, but the digital technology and culture program would allow me to explore all my options as an artist, designer and working professional in the field.”

At ��سԹ�, Kopta became involved with a wide variety of hands-on experiences and student organizations. He helped curate student exhibits and display his own work through a variety of art shows and symposiums on-campus. He served as part of the Associated Students of ��سԹ� as its graphic designer. He lent his skills in the multimedia arts as a teacher’s assistant and tutor for the campus’ digital technology and culture program, in addition to serving on the Washington State Arts Commission. He also currently serves as an intern through the ��سԹ� marketing and communication office.

This spring, Kopta also had the opportunity to create and curate a that allowed users to virtually walk through a digital gallery space to view student art, just as one would during non-COVID-19 times. It is those sorts of experiences, he said, that proved to be true highlights of his college career.

“Being able to see and experience all of the work our Coug community is doing is always my favorite,” he said. “The people I am surrounded by are constantly engaging in such important and innovative work. I never know what to expect from my peers, and that’s the best part.”

Saving on costs

Throughout his college journey, Kopta received several scholarships, including the ��سԹ� Douglas P. Gast Scholarship in memory of his late digital technology and culture professor. Kopta said he was honored to receive such a significant award that honored his late professor.

This past year as part of his senior year, ��سԹ� also launched the I-82 Advantage program, which now allows students from Umatilla County to attend ��سԹ� for in-state tuition rates. Kopta was able to save even more on tuition.

Looking toward the future

After graduating this past spring, Kyle is staying on as a student intern through the summer in the ��سԹ� marketing and communication office.

His experience both at BMCC and ��سԹ�, he said, helped him not only navigate the college setting successfully, but also find his future career. As a result of his experience, he hopes to pursue a career in marketing, specifically working in higher education, where he can help other students find their future interests and careers.

“Marketing allows me to work in design, photography and video, simultaneously,” he said. “I would also love to continue working in a higher education setting. Collaborating with different groups of people on all different sorts of projects is important to me. Working at a college allows me to do just that.”

Applications open at BMCC and ��سԹ�

Applications are open for summer and fall 2021 at both BMCC and ��سԹ�.

To apply to BMCC, visit . To apply and/or transfer to ��سԹ�, visit .

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��سԹ� student Kyle Kopta named WSU Top Ten Senior

Maegan Murray — Fri, 07 May 2021 01:11:59 +0000

��سԹ� digital technology and culture student Kyle Kopta.

For more than 80 years, Washington State University has recognized ten of the top seniors in each graduating class. The WSU Alumni Association selects these women and men who represent the highest standards in specific aspects of the college experience, including academics, athletics, campus involvement, community service, and visual and performing arts.

Kyle Kopta, a senior studying digital technology and culture at ��سԹ�, was selected as a WSU Top Ten Senior for the category of visual/performing arts.

He is a talented graphic designer, photographer, videographer, writer and overall creative. He serves as an intern with the Office of Marketing and Communication, served as a graphic designer for the Associated Students of ��سԹ�, serves as a DTC lab tutor, as well as on the Washington State Arts Commission. He transferred to ��سԹ� from Blue Mountain Community College.

VISUAL/PERFORMING ARTS

College of Arts and Sciences
Digital technology and culture
��سԹ�
Hermiston, Oregon

INVOLVEMENT

Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society; President’s Honors List, summa cum laude; ASWUTC Perseverance Award; Douglas P. Gast Fine Arts Scholarship; member, committee of the Washington State Arts Commission overseeing the Washington State Art Collection; graphic designer for ASWSUTC; marketing intern for ��سԹ�; teacher’s assistant and tutor in the��; host of biweekly community radio show; and ��سԹ� Student Employee of the Year for the 2020-2021 academic year

Photograph “Dance Dance” by Kyle Kopta, ��سԹ� digital technology and culture student.

FAVORITE WSU EXPERIENCE

The ��سԹ� Undergraduate Research Symposium and Art Exhibition is held at the end of each semester. What stands out most to me is really those shows. Our students are making just incredible work. I helped put it on when we were in-person. Being able to showcase their work and my work is always the most fun event. I’m currently 3D modeling a space for us so we can hold it virtually this semester. I’m doing it in my free time; I’m not doing it paid or part of any job. It’s something I know how to do and can donate. It’s just so important for students to have this kind of culmination for all their hard work. They create all this amazing work, and they have to be able to somehow show it.

��سԹ� also has a lot of mentors who helped me navigate the higher education world and the art world. I grew up in a rural area. There were zero galleries. Neither of my parents graduated from college, but they have been so supportive of my journey in higher education. I couldn’t have done it without them and my professors, who helped me succeed inside and outside the classroom. I think art in general has been a vehicle for self-growth in my professional, personal, and academic life. Through video, photography, and painting, I can learn about myself and my community and how I fit into it and I can help other people. Sometimes the things you don’t expect can end up having the most impact and being the most rewarding. Limitation can breed innovation.

��سԹ� digital technology and culture student Kyle Kopta paints from home as part of a fine arts course amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

FUTURE PLANS

I’ve really found a love for marketing. It’s not something I expected to love as much as I do. I came to ��سԹ� putting myself in a box, saying, “I’m going to become a videographer or graphic designer,” but I’ve been awarded so many opportunities to collaborate with so many different WSU departments that I’ve found I have a real love for creating things for the community with other people. My plan now is to get a marketing job. I contemplated whether I should move to a bigger city or stay local, and I think I’ve kind of settled on staying local because it’s really important to me to foster this small but tight-knit arts community. I really want to contribute to the Tri-Cities community what I wish I had growing up in Hermiston.

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Fine Art Student Exhibition | Spring 2021

Monique Vansant — Mon, 03 May 2021 15:00:19 +0000

Throughout human history, art has been a powerful force for communication, creativity, and connectivity during good times, as well as difficult ones. This online art exhibition demonstrates not only the creativity and skill of students here at ��سԹ�, but also their dedication to growth and resilience in these abnormal times.

The art in this show are works created from the following courses: Fine Arts 110 Drawing, Fine Arts 102 2D Art & Design, and Fine Arts 320 Painting. Students developed and explored how methods, mediums, and techniques could be utilized for creative personal expression, as well as visual communication. This show is a testament to the hard work, diligence, and creative enthusiasm of our fine arts students.

Course: Fine Arts 110 – Introduction to Drawing
Instructor:�� Kay Sisson
Description of the project assignments: Description of the project assignments: A series of 6 drawing-from-observation assignments was given during the semester ranging from simple boxes to more complex still lifes, such as transparent glass objects, fruits and vegetables, trees, and self-portraits. Students chose which drawing to exhibit.

Course: Fine Arts 103 – 2D Art + Design
Instructor: Dustin Regul
Description of the project assignments: 2D Art + Design is an introduction to visual and conceptual studio art practice through an interdisciplinary approach to two-dimensional space. In this course, students developed technical, as well as conceptual and theory-based skills, that apply to two-dimensional art forms, such as drawing, collage, photography, digital art, along with other mixed media processes. Students are introduced to a wide variety of principles and elements, techniques, and processes related to two-dimensional design. To engage the contemporary art world, students explored practical theory, key terminology, art history, and innovative hands-on projects.

Course: Fine Arts 320 – Beginning Painting
Instructor: Dustin Regul
Description of the project assignments: This painting course focuses on the foundation of observational painting skills using oil paint. We explore color interaction, composition, value, light, temperature, and paint application, as well as subject matter and the influence of conceptual meaning within art. The course teaches the fundamentals of painting from direct observation enabling students to translate the three-dimensional world onto a two-dimensional surface utilizing a variety of different methods.

All
FA 110 Introduction to Drawing
FA 320 Beginning Painting
FA103 2D Art + Design
Graphite
Mixed Media
Oil Painting