Student artists exhibit work in downtown Portland
This fall, Lewis & Clark’s senior art majors had an unprecedented opportunity to display their work in an off-campus venue.
Open gallery
This fall, Lewis & Clark’s senior art majors had an unprecedented opportunity to display their work in an off-campus venue. Misc.educated, a one-night-only exhibit, occupied The Cleaners event space at the Ace Hotel as part of Portland’s First Thursday in the Pearl art walk. The special exhibition highlighted the unique education that 22 students have gained from studying studio art in a liberal arts context.
“Misc.educated was the public debut for a majority of us as artists at Lewis & Clark, as well as artists of Portland,” Cedar Jocks ’15 said. “It was of significant weight for our class, as it showcased the culmination of skills we’ve gleaned from Lewis & Clark.”
Each spring, Lewis & Clark’s graduating artists fill the on-campus Ronna and Eric Hoffman Gallery of Contemporary Art with senior projects. Misc.educated expanded upon that tradition by not only exposing participants’ work to a wider audience, but also involving them in all parts of the preparation process.
“Students learned how to organize and curate an exhibit, which meant installing art, making a catalog, and handling publicity in addition to long hours spent in the studio,” Assistant Professor of Art Jess Perlitz said. “It is hard but important work, integral to success in a studio art major and to life after graduation.”
Liz Finch ’15 agrees. “The experience of exhibiting work outside of the Lewis & Clark community has driven me to produce especially thoughtful work,” she said. “It has given me clarity about the direction of my thesis, and of my continued artistic practice.”
With hundreds of attendees, Misc.educated successfully brought student work into the consciousness and conversation of a new, general public.
“It felt surreal to see my art on the wall of a gallery in such an artistically inclined city,” Brigitte Russo ’15 said. “My art reflects my heritage, and it was great to share something so close to my heart with so many viewers.”
Katrina Staaf ’16 contributed to this story.
