LEWISTON, Idaho – An exhibit of historic artifacts and contemporary art showcasing Chinese cultural influences on the Lewis-Clark Valley and surrounding region will run Feb. 24-Aug. 31 at the Lewis-Clark State College Center for Arts & History, located at 415 Main St.
The exhibit titled “From the Yellow River to the Snake River: Stories of Chinese Tradition Across Time and Space” highlights how Chinese culture has enriched the history of both the Valley and the Pacific Northwest.
Historical objects on display include decorative arts, clothing, personal mementos, and food items. While a few of the objects belong to the Center for Art & History’s Permanent Collection, most are on loan from regional institutions, including the Asian American Comparative Collection at the University of Idaho, the Nez Perce County Historical Museum, and the Historical Museum at St. Gertrude in Cottonwood.
The exhibit also includes paintings by contemporary artist Yidan Guo of Blackfoot, Idaho, who uses traditional Chinese techniques to create watercolor paintings on silk and rice paper. By embracing these methods, she connects with her heritage, ultimately bridging the past and present.
Guo studied at China’s Central Academy of Fine Arts, receiving her bachelor’s in traditional Chinese painting. In 2005, she earned her master’s degree in philosophy of aesthetics from Renmin University in Beijing, where she later worked as a faculty member. She has also served as a visiting professor and guest artist at Southern Utah University during 2013-2019.
Guo is currently pursuing her master’s in fine arts at Idaho State University. Her artwork is displayed in a number of collections, including China Central Academy of Fine Arts, the Chinese Artists Association, Southern Utah University, Edgar & Helen Studies Center in Shaanxi, China, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City Foundation.
Guo will give an artist talk about her work over Zoom on March 2 at 5-6 p.m.
The exhibit will be on display during normal Center hours, which are noon-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. The college’s COVID-19 protocols will be followed for the exhibits. The protocols can be found on the college’s Coronavirus web page.
For more information on the Center for Arts & History, please visit www.lcsc.edu/cah/exhibits.