Amber Marie Hunt, “Neon Tough” 2020
LEWISTON, Idaho – An exhibit titled “all WOMEN: Your Full and Wonderful Self” is on display throughout March on the first-floor galleries of the Lewis-Clark State College Center for Arts & History, located at 415 Main St.
The exhibit coincides with Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day on March 8, an event honoring the contributions of women to society, culture, and history. The work of five female artists from four states is highlighted, with artwork ranging from colored pencil portraits to quilts.
Amber Marie Hunt creates colored pencil portraits of individuals who have healed from trauma. Focusing on authenticity, vulnerability, and resiliency, the artist encourages viewers to embrace their own stories and imagine a colorful future for themselves. Hunt received her Bachelor of Arts from Idaho State University in 2016. Her work has been shown in many juried exhibitions throughout the Northwest. She has served on various local arts councils and is the president for her local chapter of the Colored Pencil Society of America. She currently lives and works in Green River, Wyo.
Inspired by her grandmother’s miniature creations, Rachel A. Jameton constructs tiny worlds free from societal boundaries and limitations. She envisions her miniature creations as safe spaces full of opportunity. Jameton is a chemistry professor at LC State who embraces interdisciplinary practices in her work. As both an artist and scientist, Jameton recognizes the important role the arts play in developing critical thinking skills, creativity, and innovation. She lives in Asotin, Wash., where she has a dedicated art studio space.
Born and raised in Japan but now residing in Dallas, Texas, Nishiki Sugawara-Beda examines connections between the past and present through elements of her native and adopted cultures. While painting with Sumi, an ink made of soot and animal glue, the artist engages her own spirit. Sugawara-Beda explores themes related to culture, language, and spirituality rooted in Zen Buddhism. She exhibits her work nationally and internationally at venues which include the Spartanburg Art Museum, Morris Graves Museum of Art, and Dennos Museum. Her work will be shown in an upcoming solo exhibition, “Somewhere Around There,” at the Amos Eno Gallery in New York.
Cheyanne Faye Donald Valera immerses herself in new settings and landscapes to illustrate the relationship she has with her surroundings. Inspired by natural elements and the concept of Mother Earth, the artist connects with and depicts the persona of a place through her digital paintings. Valera is a traveling self-taught artist who works primarily in graphic design and digital painting. She was initially drawn to the texture, lines, and movement depicted in fashion illustration and now prefers to approach her art with the same fast-paced and gestural quality. She most recently resided in the Bay Area of California.
Naomi S. Velasquez investigates relationships and how they change over time. In both her quilting and artist books she explores the meaning and layered nature of these associations. Velasquez earned her Bachelor of Arts from Washington State University in Interior Design, and her Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art - Fibers from the University of North Texas. She currently works as associate professor of art as well as the department chair at Idaho State University. She has exhibited her work both internationally and nationally including at colleges and universities throughout the Northwest.
Velasquez will also be holding a free arts workshop on Japanese stab binding on March 12 at 10 a.m.-noon. A limited number of complimentary art supply kits are available for local workshop participants. Register at: https://bit.ly/ArtsWorkshop_JSB
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 exhibit. 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.