Emma Evenhus/The Broadside
Featuring work from the faculty at COCC, the most recent art exhibit began at the beginning of winter term. The Faculty Art Exhibit includes a collection of exquisite art created by art professors at Central Oregon Community College.
In a rather quiet part of the building, the Pence Pinckney gallery has dark walls and poor lighting. During exhibits, however, the room becomes a place of magic for artists and art viewers alike. Currently, the walls are neatly organized into sections for each faculty member’s art.
Directly to the left through the doors of the gallery, a study done by Karen Z. Ellis. The wall hangs blue, floral, and framed artworks. Beside the art, there is a statement from the artist describing the cyanotype process, or blueprint process. Part of the statement reads, “the method involves a light-sensitive surface, timed exposure to light with object in place, rinsing the surface in a bath of water to develop the image and drying the surface for the final state.”
Another artist and faculty member Ian Factor displayed multiple pieces, three of which were done in the medium conte. The three drawings of a mother and child, a father, and a child on the beach are simple, but display great dimension and sense of space. When viewed closely, the drawings appear sophisticated and give a feeling of nostalgia.
Factor has been creating art for as long as he can remember. He recalls a time in second grade when the students were supposed to be working on cursive letters and he was caught drawing. The teacher took his drawing and showed the class.
“She said, ‘this is what Ian’s been doing!’ I thought I was in a lot of trouble.” However, the teacher was not upset at all. “She kept a folder of my artwork. That’s when I really thought this isn’t just about me. My art affects other people.”
Ian Factor has been focused on narrative art recently. When asked what inspires a narrative, he describes the inherent nature in contrast to the deep love of the subject matter. Factor finds his own emotions useful in creating artworks. “[A piece of art] can be technically profound, but not emotionally moving.”
The exhibit is located in the Pence Pinckney gallery on the second floor of the Pence building and is open for viewing Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
To decide which piece is your favorite, take a look at the charismatic faculty art exhibit. If you attend, let The Broadside know what pieces stood out to you by getting in touch via Instagram or Snapchat @broadsideonline and Twitter @cocc_broadside.
