A group of artists that call themselves Alt

Kyla Becker
The Broadside

Clean lines and chaotic colors are what a viewer sees when they stand in the rotunda of the Barber Library. The show, ‘Beneath the Surface II’ features ten local artists who are all members of a group that calls itself Alt, a group described as “an affiliation of artists” by exhibit contact and artist Ron Schultz.

“We (Alt) are a group of artists that get together to critique each other’s works and to discuss the directions member’s works are taking,” said exhibit artist Pat Clark, who is also owner of Atelier 6000 (A6), a local printmaking shop. “We try to change format as much as we can.”

Pam Jersey Bird, Pat Clark, Terry Gloeckler, Judy Hoiness, Barbara Hudin, Michael Kelly, Justyn Livingston, Ingrid Lustig, Amy Royce, and Ron Schultz are the artists currently participating in the exhibition.

“The contemporary paintings and mixed media works on display reflect each member’s unique and personal working methods and philosophies, as well as incorporating the Alt Group’s stated objective and mandate: to probe personal, material, and artistic boundaries,” states the COCC Library’s posting about the exhibit on their website.

Clark details the methods of her work to include a process called collagraphy – which she defined in layman’s terms as a “printed collage.” According to a pamphlet Clark has at A6 on the topic, collagraph is a collage, using found objects and collage techniques to create a print. These prints can be printed using relief or intaglio methods and are often referred to as the “painter’s print”.

“I do observational landscapes,” said Clark. “I love Bend’s vast yet subtle changes in colors. The collagraph was my attempt at something different with representative landscapes; they’re more of a creative mindscape.”

Most Alt participants are members at A6 or are teachers there but the Alt group itself is not affiliated with A6. The majority of Alt members are participating in the exhibit, though a couple could not for various reasons as reported by Schultz.

There are no immediate plans for future group shows that Schultz could speak of, but he did say that the Alt group will be showing in the Rotunda Gallery again next year (specific times and dates have not been decided yet).

The ‘Beneath the Surface II’ exhibit has been up in the rotunda lobby since April 5th and will continue until May 7th. Viewers may visit the exhibit during library hours – Monday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM; Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Saturday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Sunday, 12:00 to 7:00 PM.

You may contact Kyla Becker at [email protected]