Past Exhibit Highlights 2

Open Regional Exhibit

April/May 2007

View video of the Judge’s Critique HERE

Artists from across Eastern Oregon and Southeast Washington converged on the Pendleton Center for the Arts Friday for the unveiling of the Open Regional Exhibit. Amateurs and professionals, teens and adults all vied for more than $1200.00 in prize money and award ribbons that were custom-crafted by inmates at EOCI.

Judge Mare Blocker handed out 19 awards in a range of categories, including several Special Merit Awards. Banner Bank of Pendleton sponsored the cash awards for both adults and teens.

“This is really time for the artists in the community to shine, and we were just overwhelmed with the talent and energy that was represented in the work this year”, said Exhibit Committee Chair Lorie Baxter.

Blocker agreed, telling the artists during her Critique that the quality of the work made judging extremely difficult. The Critique is the Judge’s opportunity to talk about the criteria that she used in handing out awards, and impart tips and suggestions. Blocker’s background combines 30 years of practical experience as a working artist and her more recent academic credentials, receiving a Masters of Fine Arts degree from University of Idaho in 2006.

“Mare did a great job communicating her thought process to the artists”, said Arts Center Director Roberta Lavadour. “I think that everyone left the event with sound, practical information that they can begin applying to their own work right away”.

Best of Show was awarded to Kevin Boylan of La Grand, whose sculpture titled “Fluid” captured Blockers interest with its multi-layered way of addressing the concept of water and the way the materials cast shadows and created what she called “miniature drawings” within the structure. “The work has a nice integration of line and form, and was really one of the most technically difficult pieces in the show to create.

This year’s event included teens for the first time and there were several entries from 13-17 year-olds. First place in the teen category went to Amy Neal, whose mixed media piece “Size Eight” captured the judge’s attention. “This piece has a fun, whimsical quality,” said Blocker. “It brought a great use of color and materials together with an attention to detail that really made the piece work”.

Another new twist this year, which was the brain child of Event Coordinator Georgianna Emery, was to include prisoners from EOCI both in the exhibition of their artwork and in the creation of the award ribbons. Rickie S. Sibbit’s drawing “Drawn In” was awarded First Place in the inmate category, and Blocker spoke about the piece’s use of detail to literally “draw the viewer in” to the composition.

The only ribbon yet to be presented is the People’s Choice Award, which is given to the artist who receives the most votes during the course of the show. Visitors can submit their ballot through the last day of the show, May 11^th. Jacqueline Brown sponsors the $200 People’s Choice prize, and the winner will also receive one of the EOCI award ribbons.

Special Judge’s Merit Award Winners

Sam Collett

Hiroko Cannon

Nancy Rees

Kenneth May

Marcia Cook

David Larson

Julie Pridgen

Teen Awards

First – Amy Neal

Second – Ashlei Emmons

Third – Heather Scheeler

List of Award Winners

Best of Show – Kevin Boylan

Best Acrylic/Oil Painting – Catherine Lee

Best Watercolor – John Kirby Jr.

Best Mixed Media – Michelle Miller

Best Drawing/Pastel – Carlos Cordova

Best Sculpture – Rosie MacDonald

EOCI Inmate Awards

First – Rickie S. Sibbitt

Second – Noel Gaona

Third – Wayne Houff

Artists listen to Judge Mare Blocker give her critique

Sam Collett’s entry “His Day”

Amy Neal’s “Size Eight”

Carole McCarty: Cloudscapes

Jan. 26 - Feb. 23, 2007

Carole McCarty has worked in an astonishing range

of media, including fiber arts, children’s book illustration,

wood carving, and, for the past 15 years, oil painting.

This body of work features paintings of the

high desert sky. Definitely one of the most beautiful

exhibits to be displayed in the East Oregonian Gallery.

Read about Carole in the East Oregonian newspaper

Dennis Hull of the National Weather Service visited the EO gallery to give a group of guests, including two girl scout troupes, a meteorologist's view of the cloud formations pictured in Carole’s artworks.

The intersection of art and science made for an engaging and informative presentation and added another dimension to the viewing of the exhibit.

Dennis presented each guest with a NOAA poster showing a variety of cloud formations and Carole was on hand to sign postcards as well.