Brooke's Exploration of Lush

Hey Y’all! My name is Brooke, and I am CAL’s newest intern. I'm a senior in high school and planning on studying art curation in college. Here are a few thoughts I have on our current show, Lush. I hope you enjoy!

These days, the outdoors often feels like an inconvenient middle ground between the comfort of air-conditioned indoors. In a world dominated by man-made, manufactured, and monochromatic environments, artists and dreamers are increasingly drawn to the wild and lush. As I reflect on CAL’s summer show, I am captivated by the brilliant art that adorns the space.

The first piece, MoonBather (Nymph with a Strong Back) by Colleen Smith, strikes me as a clear reference to Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres's painting La Grande Odalisque (1814), which was the subject of much controversy. Ingres's painting features an idealized female nude, which has been criticized for its eroticism and perceived vulgarity. In contrast, Smith’s MoonBather presents a similar female nude sprawled across the canvas, but this woman seems more authentic. Her back folds into rolls as she looks over her shoulder, relaxed and at ease. Her face conveys judgment and caution, creating a striking contrast with her exposed body. This figure is not only vulnerable to the viewer but also to the natural surroundings. How often do we allow ourselves to be so unguarded and defenseless? I love this piece because the woman is unapologetically immersed in nature. In my opinion, she embodies the most "lush" qualities: content, confident, and full. MoonBather invites viewers to embrace their own lushness.

Another painting that caught my eye and heart is Kimono Dragon by Greg Brockmeier. This relatively large watercolor and ink portrait features a remarkably realistic Komodo dragon dressed in a fantastically floral kimono robe. I must admit, my appreciation for this piece is partly superficial; I find it utterly amusing. The play on words and the juxtaposition of a sophisticated headshot composition with a playful subject matter make it irresistible. To me, this piece is also lush. Even the simplest contributions to nature, such as a whimsically adorned Komodo dragon, bring us closer to the vibrant world around us.

Lastly, I must mention Lindsay Picht’s watercolor and gouache piece Bouquet Makers. This work illustrates what lushness means to most of us. In a world dominated by the artificial, moments of genuine connection with nature offer solace. Most of us are not mountaineers or park rangers; we engage with nature in more modest, sporadic ways. In Bouquet Makers, I see a reflection of my own lush life—simple and pleasant.

-Brooke

Sketchbook Show

Come by to see all sketchbooks in person. Take them off the wall, pick them up, turn the pages, spend some time in an artists’ brain.

August 27 - September 28

For artists the sketchbook is used to improve skills, record progress, explore ideas, keep visual memories, and experiment where no one else can judge. Sketchbooks are an invaluable tool to use wherever you are in your art making journey.

Having a sketchbook habit will improve your drawing skills and help you develop your own style over time. In it you can draw what’s in front of you, take it with you, record moments of your lived experience. You can apply different media to see what relationships form. You can cover up what you don’t like and repeat what you love.

These artists are letting the visitor look at their thoughts on paper. We get to see the recorded lines of the hand of the artist as it moved around the paper observing the pressure and tension of pencil, pen, or paint.

 Thank you and congratulations to all who participated.

Your vulnerability is a gift to the viewer.

Stacia Schaefer

On display in the hallway of Central Bank of Boone County in downtown Columbia, Missouri

August 23 - October 13, 2024

Artist Statement

I love the physicality required to create my artwork. I enjoy the process as much or even more than the end result. The physical labor involved with both clay and fiber art gives me a sense of presence within the world. I am conscious of the texture of the rope, the heat of the wood kiln, the silken smoothness of some glazes, or the chalkiness of others – and this awareness gives me both energy and tranquility at the same time. As I work with my hands my mind relaxes and focuses better than if I am still. I find the way both mediums contrast and complement each other inspiring as I combine them.

Each piece in this collection is a study of the principles of design – especially contrast, repetition, balance, proportion, movement, and rhythm. In several pieces I enlarged the focus to a single knot to emphasize what I find fascinating about them: they are so simple and so complex at the same time. In other pieces, I was inspired by nature and the desire to bring order to the world around me.

Artist Bio

Graphic designer and artist Stacia Schaefer has lived in Columbia since attending MU in the late 1980s, where she earned a BA in English and a BFA in Art. She has worked as a graphic designer and communications professional for 30 years. Currently, Schaefer is a Senior Strategic Communications Associate at the State Historical Society of Missouri. Her fiber art has won awards in the Boone County Art Show and can be found for sale at Poppy and Columbia Art League, and on Etsy. 

Joel Chrisman

On display in the South Gallery at the Columbia Art League

July 30 - August 24, 2024

Artist Statement

As an artist and musician, my interest is in the study of repeated patterns in light and sound. Observing the separation of light and shadow in a landscape, a window-lit room, or the lights of my studio, as they shower my tools and workspace, compels me to record those fragments in mostly realistic impressions. 

Whether working from my photographs or life, my subjects are almost always happened upon, rarely assembled or constructed, although I may make decisions of omission and inclusion. The elements of chance and discovery are the primary contributing factors in these compositions.

The moment of creation for me is in the visualization of a possibility, discovering that viewpoint in space where the dance of shapes and shadows falls into a rhythmic balance of light and dark. Then, with my camera or a simple mat board viewer, the image is isolated and I join the dance and become a participant as I record the moment.

Artist Bio

Joel Chrisman was born in 1947 in Blue Springs, Missouri. He attended public school K-12 in Blue Springs and served in the US Air Force from 1966-70. He began working in county government in Denver, Colorado, as a cartographer in 1970, until he began studying graphic design at the Colorado Institute of Art in 1975. In 1978, he started his business as a freelance commercial artist and graphic designer, which he did through 1993. Custom picture framing occupied his time until 2006 when he shifted to making art solely for his own pleasure. 

Lush

On display in the Betty and Art Robins Group Gallery at the Columbia Art League

July 23 - September 5, 2024

Reception: July 26, 6 - 8 pm

Ribbons will be given out at the reception at 6:45 pm.

Celebrate the richness and vitality of the natural world, from lush forests to blooming gardens. Mother Nature offers us healing and connection through her landscapes, foliage, and beautiful petals, a wonder we challenge artists to capture for this exhibition. 

Lush is a juried show open to all artists 16+ years old, all media welcome.

Congratulations to the ribbon winners! Thank you to our Juror, Zoe Hawk! Keep reading to see Zoe’s Juror Statement!

1st: Colleen Smith - Squash Circle Seance

2nd: Kathryn Mitter - Crape Myrtle

3rd: Megan Steinlage - Nude Sunbathing in Nature

HM: 

John Fennell - Vision and Hope: The Color of Early Morning

Greg Brockmeier - Kimono Dragon

Sydney Marquardt - Green Reflections

Jane Mudd - Piece of Prairie

Dave Walker - Where Seldom is Heard

Juror’s Statement

“I am honored to have been asked by CAL to jury Lush, an exhibition celebrating the natural world. While Lush is a particularly verdant show, the works also offer sunset hues, vibrant florals, snowy whites, and rich blues depicting water and sky. Some pieces capture the beauty of untouched landscapes, pruned gardens, and grand vistas, while others offer us an intimate look at the smallest leaf, petal, or wing details. Figurative pieces in the exhibition explore our human relationship with nature, situating the body within these living spaces, sometimes to the point of allowing leaves and vines to envelop them.
By depicting the natural world in art, we investigate our relationship with the earth, both the good and the bad. We are enthralled with its beauty, and awestruck by its wildness; we attempt to capture and dissect it and examine our inner nature and vulnerability as human beings. The three selected winners of the exhibition demonstrated exceptional technical skill—rich use of color, harmonious composition, and expert handling of material—but I was also drawn to layered elements of mystery, metaphor, and luxuriant beauty present in these works that I felt embodied the depth of our relationship with nature.”

Curtis Hendricks

On display in Central Bank of Boone County in downtown Columbia

July 12 - August 23

Artist Statement

Photographic Art has to be about more than just making pictures look pretty. It has to push perception beyond the ordinary – see the world beyond the veil and encourage the viewer to think about their realities. It has to be more ‘art’ than ‘photo’.

I began making photographic captures at age 15, working with film cameras and composing my work in darkrooms. The advent of digital photography and the emergence of the computer as the new darkroom opened broad new avenues for artistic expression that have dominated my imagination ever since. I aim to capture a range of subjects and styles, from abstract to cityscapes, landscapes to portraiture, extreme color to noir, realism to surrealism. I never stop experimenting and exploring new tools and techniques. Recently, I have begun blending layers of my digital compositions, often simple geometric shapes, to increase my work’s depth and complexity.

I have made the point that the photographic artist has to nail both the photography and the artistic expression for a piece to be successful – and now that I have begun incorporating digital art, original composition as well. The act of creating, I feel, is akin to breathing.

Artist Bio

Curtis Hendricks began shooting with his father’s 35mm Agfa when he was 15, growing up in a tiny farming town in downstate Illinois. He worked primarily in Kodachrome and black and white prints until the advent of digital photography turned his attention to abstract and surrealism, migrating between works of extreme color and stark noir. Since he began exhibiting his extensive portfolio in several Missouri galleries he has received numerous awards and recognitions.

He believes photographic art has to be about more than just making pictures look pretty. It has to push perception and encourage the viewer to think. It has to be more ‘art’ than ‘photo’. Hendricks received a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications/Journalism from Illinois State University, and after two years in U.S. Peace Corps received a Master’s Degree in Community Development from the University of Missouri. He lives with his family in Jefferson City.

Mentorship Program Exhibition 2024

On display in the South Gallery at the Columbia Art League

July 9 - July 27, 2024

Reception: Thursday, July 11, 5:30-7 pm

Pop into the gallery to see works from local high school students participating in this year's Mentorship Program!

CAL's Mentorship Program is designed to increase accessibility to meaningful engagement with the arts for underserved populations, specifically high school artists, in Columbia communities. These artists have worked, alongside their professional artist mentors, for the past 6 months, building a body of work in their preferred medium.

Didi's Take on the Members' Summer Show

Hello! My name is Didi Setzin, and I am currently a sophomore at Mizzou, majoring in Art History. As a summer intern at CAL, I helped put the Member’s show together. There was an impressive number of participants and a diverse range of artworks on display. This opportunity has allowed me to engage deeply with the art community and appreciate the creativity and effort that goes into each piece. 

Here are the 3 artworks that stood out and impacted me :

1. Richard Hoeppner, Sunset Vessel

This artwork, titled "Sunset Vessel" by Richard Hoeppner, is a beautifully crafted wooden piece that stands out due to its expert craftsmanship and vibrant colors. The wooden vessel features a gradual increase of warm sunset tones. This is formed from the deep reds to golden yellows, which evokes the serenity of a typical sunset. The smooth, rounded body contrasts the vessel's meticulous detailed lid and base. There is visible intricate detail which creates a dynamic appeal. This interplay between the vessel’s bulbous form and slender rods introduces a sense of tension and creates a dynamic emotional response. The glossy finish enhances the rich colors and highlights the wood's natural texture.  This piece is both aesthetically pleasing and captivating. There is a moment of tranquility and beauty.

2. Adrian Paladi, Protector

This artwork, titled "Protector" by Adrian Paladi, portrays a warrior in traditional armor. The figure is standing firmly in front of a bridge in a serene environment. The figures' detailed red and black armor contrasts with the muted, almost monochromatic background which highlights the warrior's strength and presence. The backdrop which features trees and architectural designs, suggests an environment rich in history and traditions. This incorporation of a vivid, central figure against a softer background shows the power and strength of the warrior which creates a powerful visual narrative of protection.

3. Renee Slusher, Ethereal Motion

The artwork titled “Ethereal Motion” by Renee Slusher captures the beauty and grace of a dance through all its forms. The dynamic composition, abstract forms, and fluid lines showcase the contrasting colors. Light and shadows interplay with the colors and create dream-like images of the figures. This artwork seems to take inspiration from “Matisse’s” painting, “Dance II”, where figures dance similarly. Slusher’s artwork brings life and emotion through the portrayal of movement in an almost otherworldly manner. 

Queer Show 2024

On display in the South Gallery at the Columbia Art League

June 11 - July 8, 2024

Reception: Thursday, June 20th, 5:30-7 PM in the South Gallery at the Columbia Art League

In honor of the Stonewall Uprising in June of 1969–heralded as a catalyst of the pro-LGBT movement in the United States–LGBTQIA2S+* Pride Month is widely celebrated in June, including here at CAL. Artist and writer Brandon Wint defines Queer as “escaping definition…like some sort of fluidity and limitlessness at once…like a freedom too strange to be conquered. Queer like the fearlessness to imagine what love can look like and pursue it.”

And that’s what to expect from this show highlighting local Queer artists and art: Art that escapes definition; art that’s strange and soft and strong and unconquerable; art courageous enough to imagine what the world could be, and bold enough to create and share it with us. 

 *Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Two-Sprit

Members' Summer Exhibition 2024

On display in the Betty and Art Robins Group Gallery in the Columbia Art League

June 11 - July 18, 2024

Reception: Friday, June 14, 6 - 8 pm

Congratulations to all of the ribbon winners:

1st: Cheryl Hardy, Heaven & Earth

2nd: Richard Hoeppner, Sunset Vessel

3rd: Diane Epstein, My Little World

Honorable Mentions

Besty Knabe Roe, Microbia Series 5

Walt McQuie, To Their Lonely Betters

Pam Gainor, Ghost Barn

Our Members’ Shows are exciting opportunities for CAL Members to display their art, and for our community to get to know our vibrant artist members. There is no theme, instead, this is an opportunity to show the community what you’ve been working on recently. Members’ shows are not juried, awards will be given out at the reception.

Diane Chappell

From Whim to Whimsy

On display in Central Bank of Boone County in downtown Columbia

May 17 - July 12, 2024

Artist Statement

On a whim, I decided I’d cut a twig from a tree and use it to paint my watercolor. I had seen something like this, I was curious to try. With the first few marks of color on paper, I loved how spontaneous and effortless my lines looked and felt. How the twig, being flexible, feels like it’s dancing over the paper and I really want to put on some music! The results were so different from a brush. 

When I start a painting, I don’t have a plan or an idea, it’s just colors and movement. It’s more intuitive and reactive, open to imagination and letting go of control. I follow the paint through water, over and around other colors, letting colors blend as they will together on the paper. 

It’s then the whimsy begins to show. I see where I can add detail with a small brush to take it farther along. Or where I’d start with an ink pen and go further still. 

The painting is done when it’s done, and some paintings don’t make it. They lose momentum or a way forward. But for others, it seems to happen all of a sudden. It’s done and I can feel it. Sometimes it even reveals its title. And I love it when that happens!  

Artist Bio

I have no art degree or any advanced study, I grew up on coloring books and paint-by-number sets and a desire to make things. Early on, I worked in furniture restoration and stained glass which gave me an appreciation for precision and attention to detail. 

I took some MU art classes as an employee benefit while working a full-time job and a few workshops here and there, but this journey has been more of exploring and experimenting with the belief that I can figure it out.  

I spent quite a few years working in mosaics and this is where I really began to work with my own ideas, opening the door to my own creative whims. But a time came when I felt constrained by this medium, and looking for a new challenge, I wanted to try painting. 

I went back to basic pencil drawing and took a beginning watercolor class, which has all my attention now. It’s an exciting and entertaining journey. 

Gloria Gaus

Painting Hither, Thither, and Yon

On display in the South Gallery at the Columbia Art League

May 7 - June 8, 2024

Artist Statement

I feel blessed to have been born to create. My passion is color, line, pattern, and contrast. My medium of choice is oil paint at this time but I also enjoy the line of graphite and charcoal. I reside in the Midwest but love to paint nearly anywhere during any season. I primarily choose the landscape as my subject since nothing compares to the freedom and intimacy of painting outdoors, on location. The moment captures all of my attention and senses. It can only be truly savored when I allow all distractions to fall away and I become enmeshed in the present moment with my subject before me. It's during these moments painting is pure joy.  

Artist Bio

Home base for Midwestern artist, Gloria Gaus, is in Central Missouri. Her river-view studio offers contemplative solitude between art travel adventures. She is comfortable painting and drawing in the comfort of her studio or outdoors on location. Always striving to be a better artist she is currently participating in several online mentoring and educational programs. Traveling across the United States over the past 2 decades Gaus has studied under such accomplished artists as Billyo O’Donnell, Rick Howell, Phil Starke, Laura Robb, G. Russell Case, Ray Roberts, Dan Young, Graydon Parrish, Shawn Cornell, and Joshua Been. Several of her pieces have won awards in regional shows with 2 paintings chosen for the Les Bourgeois “Collector’s Series Wine” labels; 2001 and 2009.  Her paintings can be found internationally, in private and corporate collections. 

Still Life

On display in the Betty and Art Robins Group Gallery at the Columbia Art League

April 23 - June 6

Reception: April 26, 6 - 8 pm / Free entry + open to the public

Awards will be announced during the reception at 6:45 pm!

Juror’s Statement

“While I find immense value in the work that is beautifully rendered or work that adorns a space, I focused on “still-life” as being the evidence of slowing down and noticing. In my selections I looked for narratives that show an artist slowing down to notice the mundane in a new light and moments where the artist has asked me as a viewer to slow down and sit in a moment with them.”

- Andrea Simon, Visiting Professor in Art, University of Central Missouri

Congratulations to the ribbon winners!

1st place: Tootie Burns, Orange in a Box

2nd place: Kate Shipova, Tactile Light

3rd place: Ken Johnson, Monolith

Honorable Mentions:

Shea Stewart, Jesse Exit

Ashley Grupe, Assorted Buttons

Michelle Marcum, Our Still Life

Ken Logsdon, A Matter of Time

Jadi Davis, Knitting Handspun Yarn

Ruthie Moccia, Missouri Mules

Amy Klein, Red Beans in Colander

Pam Gainor, Fruit of the Earth

Still Life is a testament to the power of observation. Through the use of light, color, and composition, artists highlight inanimate objects, challenging us to pause and appreciate the hidden narratives within. This show invites you to reflect on the beauty surrounding us in our everyday lives, often overlooked in the hustle and bustle of our modern world.

Still Life is a juried show open to all artists 16+ years old, all media welcome.

Erin and Nick Potter

Nick and Erin, Erin and Nick

On display in the South Gallery at the Columbia Art League

April 2 - April 27, 2024

Reception: Thursday, April 18th, 5:30 - 7 pm

Artists’ Statement

Nick and I started making collaborative art in 2015. We made mixed media work, installations, and screen-printed posters for concerts under the name Potter Press. The way we make work together is constantly evolving, even after nearly two decades. Collaborative art is unique, exciting, and often very frustrating. It takes a lot of trust, communication, agreement, and surrender. You must understand and respect what your partner produces. As we have gotten older our own individual styles have diverged, making it more difficult to work together. We realized one of us must come up with the concept or direct the piece, rather than expecting something to organically come about with 50/50 input. For this show we decided to have half the show be pieces that one of us initially started, and the other would finish or add on to it. Each of our pieces has a figure by one of us, then we pass it to one another to make marks. In this way we can see how differently the styles of the pieces become, even if we both work on them, depending on which one of us began the piece. The first person to begin the piece sets the tone and the other tries to utilize their own styles to blend and compliment the existing work. 

JD King

On display in the hallway of Central Bank of Boone County in downtown Columbia

March 29 - May 3, 2024

Artist Statement

I am a mid to late Twentieth and early Twenty-First Century moderately realistic graphic artist. I paint in watercolor and oils from direct observation and from photographs that I mostly take myself. My work has been influenced by the Impressionists, the Post-Impressionists, the Photo-realists, the Surrealists, and an abundance of other people working in several mediums including painting, photography, sculpture, thriller novels, and all kinds of venues in this complex and beautiful world. We have in this time in history known as “Western Civilization” the almost immediate ability to share ideas and personal views and be seen and heard by other people all over the world. It has been my experience that if I work hard enough and pay attention to whatever it is I might be interested in I can usually come up with something that satisfies my sense of quality, beauty, and truthfulness and can express what it is that I am trying to get across.

We live in an age where we are constantly barraged with all kinds of information. We are expected to keep that cell phone charged and on. One would think that having exposure to all this knowledge about the past and what’s going on “RIGHT NOW!” would be a terrific advantage in making discourse of any kind about life and its various existential questions. This sometimes seems a major challenge after all these other geniuses have shared their slant on the collective consciousness. I have known of artists who sought to express themselves and wandered around in circles in a field, wondering just what they were trying to accomplish. Some made it back out of the weeds and some didn’t. The question seems to come up, “Does anybody really care?” 

This always seems to be a basic question of anyone trying to be truthful with the business of self-expression and the interpretation of reality. I think if we look hard enough and long enough and have faith in some kind of divine providence we usually are rewarded with a sense of truth in our efforts and that the process and the work in this regard are worth the effort.

Artist Bio

My first introduction to making art was at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri where I attained a Bachelor of Science degree in Painting and Ceramics as a double major. Later in life, I studied with Frank Stack, Brooke Cameron, and Jerry Berneche at the University of Missouri and graduated with a Master of Fine Art in oil painting and watercolor. I had a showing of my work at one of the last shows at Legacy Art and Book Works here in Columbia, called Night Visions where I sold 13 of the 16 watercolors of various scenes of neon lights in various cities in Missouri from my photos taken at night. I did a mural in downtown Columbia at a favorite Tex-Mex restaurant noted for its nighttime menu after hours called, “El Rancho”. I have been making art in one form or another for 50 years and have never compromised my talents or gotten tired of them. I am married to a wonderful woman who also happens to be my best friend. I am happy to be alive and look forward to another day every day upon awakening.

Discovering the Charm of 'Tiny Things'

Hello! This is Faith the intern, writing about CAL’s current exhibit, Tiny Things.

In a world that often seems larger than life, there's something captivating about the miniature. From small sculptures to tiny paintings, 'Tiny Things' at Columbia Art League offers a unique perspective on art and storytelling. The annual exhibit celebrates the beauty and intricacy of small-scale art, inviting you to explore the world in a new light.

Adrian Paladi, Unsinkable

As I walked through the gallery, I was immediately drawn to the intricate details of the artwork on display. Each piece invites us to take a closer look, revealing a world of craftsmanship and creativity. From little landscapes to tiny figurines, the artists have captured a sense of wonder and whimsy that captivates the imagination.

My favorite pieces in the exhibit have to be the miniature rooms, each telling its own story. As we peer through tiny windows, we are transported to different times and places, from a nostalgic childhood bedroom to sophisticated table settings. The attention to detail is remarkable, with every object carefully placed to create a sense of realism and depth.

Isabella Shah, Not So Living Room

While making my way through the exhibit, I couldn’t help but be struck by the impact of these 'Tiny Things'. In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, these miniature artworks offer a sense of calm and contemplation. They remind us to slow down and appreciate the beauty in the small things, whether that is a delicate flower or a quiet moment of reflection.

Not only did Tiny Things leave me with a sense of awe and inspiration, but it has also reminded me of the power of art to transport us to different worlds and perspectives. It has shown me that even the smallest of things can have a big impact if we take the time to notice them. So next time you're feeling overwhelmed by the world around you, take a moment to appreciate the 'Tiny Things' that make life so beautiful.

Brandy Tieman, The Alienation of Being Small.jpg

brandy

C. Ruth Neudahl, Ancestor Reliquary Ring.jpg

ruth neudahl

Fred Schollmeyer, A Boy and His Dog.jpg

Fred schollmeyer

Patti Cantu, Spring Brings Butterflies.jpeg

Rachel Nichols, Espresso Cups.jpg

Richard Hoeppner, Jesse's Hat.jpg

rich hooppner

Bloom

On view behind the front desk at the columbia art league

Curatorial Statement

There are many answers to the question, what is a plant? A root system, a stem, a leaf, a pet, a child, a cultural zeitgeist (in the case of the ever-popular succulent and monstera plant). The function of the plant is murky. Historically, it could be summed up as a means of survival: cultivation of plants produces food, which sustains populations. But plants are easily influenced by their environments and the care taken towards them, which makes them so much more than a simple survival mechanism.

Vines grow wild in places abandoned by humans, wildflowers appear every spring in my local park. These plants are wild; we are taught to exist alongside them in awe and fear. Orchids are kept in pristine condition in nurseries all over the world, and my ancient aloe plant from high school still scrapes by in a plant stand by my living room window. These plants are tame; we live alongside them as friends. The aesthetic qualities of each are different, but we find beauty in both the cultivated bouquet at the florist and the feral English Ivy growing on the building outside.

Bloom attempts to explore these modes of beauty and our relationship to plants through the work of local artists Diane Chappell and Mzeona Iagorashvili. Both artists depict flora in ways that bridge the line between delicate and bold, the soft and the chaotic; in many ways, they depict the essence of the plants themselves. Through these artworks, we can begin to ponder how plants do not just help us survive,
but also help us thrive.

Curated by Bella Reed, Gallery Intern at CAL

Eric Ordway

There and Back Again: A Potter’s Tale

On display in the South Gallery at the Columbia Art League

March 4 - march 30, 2024

ARTIST STATEMENT

I explore the joy of inheriting the legacy of a 150-year-old heritage family farm and historical Scandinavian folk traditions. My forms echo the rich practice of working the land: soft-formed, curving clay walls reminiscent of rolling hills, carved ridges like plow-scraped fields, meet gentle, undulating wave-like rims. Working with my body is a sacred experience. Using a kickwheel is an intuitive, meditative encounter. My feet propel the wheel, capturing the slow, rhythmic movement of my legs juxtaposed by the sharp vertical textures in the form. As I toil with my hands in the clay, I contemplate my ancestors laboring with their hands in the earth, wood, stone, and bone. Researching Scandinavian decorative folk traditions from the 1700s and historical objects from the Viking age, I reconnect with my heritage apart from the stories told by a tight-knit family steeped in tradition, dogma, and expectations of conformity.

I ruminate on the qualities of touch as the work goes through the process of an atmospheric firing. As the physical flame billows, rolls, and swells, it scars the surface revealing how the work was marked. I celebrate qualities of touch found in the kiln and everyday common experiences. Through day-to-day use, the user is pleasantly surprised by the work, connecting with and finding joy through simple encounters. My work unites the farmer and the academic at a common table, evoking a timeless truth: the glorious can be found in the mundane, and the divine in the common.

ARTIST BIO

Eric Ordway was born and raised near Columbia, MO. He was first exposed to pottery while attending school at Moberly Area Community College in 2006. Eric continued to study clay at Colorado State University-Pueblo. After graduating with his BFA in 2013, Eric began working as a post-baccalaureate student at the University of Missouri (MU). While there, he made soda-fired pottery while researching green glazing and sgraffito techniques. 

In 2015, Eric was awarded a residency at the Morean Center for Clay in St. Petersburg, FL. During this time, Eric also taught ceramics to students at Berkeley Preparatory School, where he discovered his passion for teaching. Eric then returned to MU to earn his MFA in 2019, where he researched thrown and altered techniques that he continues to practice in his studio. 

After graduating, Eric went on to teach ceramics at Truman State University for three years. During this time, he also worked at Access Arts, a local nonprofit art organization in Columbia, MO, as the Department Head of Ceramics. Some of his most recent accomplishments includes being selected as a 2023 Ceramics Monthly Emerging Artist, he was one of 21 artists to receive this recognition from 760 national and international entries, and being selected to exhibit at the 2023 & 2024 NCECA Annual Exhibitions.

Eric exhibits his work at the regional, national, and international levels. He currently works at the University of Missouri’s School of Visual Studies as the Fine Arts Technician & Adjunct Professor and lives in Columbia, MO with his wife, Chelsea, and their dog, Lily.

Tiny Things

On display in the Betty and Art Robins Group Gallery at the Columbia Art League

February 27 - April 4, 2024

Reception: March 8, 6-8 pm (free and open to the public)

Ribbons will be given out at the reception

Congratulations to the ribbon winners!

First Place: Lina Forrester, The Greenhouse⁠
Second Place: Kira Rinehart, Orange⁠
Third Place: Tom Stauder, Vessel with Threaded Lid⁠
Honorable Mentions
Mzeona Iagorashvili, Lemon Lime⁠
Cheryl Hardy, Damaged Beyond Repair⁠
Rebecca DeCourley, Untitled (silver swirl)⁠
Katie Barnes, Different is Beautiful ⁠
Marika Estrapala, Gradient Grains⁠

Juror Statement

I had the wonderful opportunity to be this year’s juror for the Tiny Things exhibition at CAL. I’ve always been impressed by artists who can create small-scale works of art, as they require a great deal of skill, attention to detail, and precision. It was refreshing to see so many submissions from both established and emerging artists working in a wide range of mediums. As I reviewed each submission, I asked myself several questions, such as whether the work evokes any emotions and whether the details are well-considered, composed, designed, and/or crafted. Is the work fully resolved and finished? Based on these criteria, I selected a diverse set of captivating artworks. I’d like to express my gratitude to CAL for their hard work in organizing the exhibition and making it easy for me to carry out my duties as a juror. To the artists who submitted their work, I commend you and thank you, as taking the first step is often the most challenging. I hope everyone enjoys this year’s Tiny Things exhibition!

Danielle Langdon

Associate Professor of Art

Interim Chair, Department of Visual Arts & Music

Columbia College

All artworks in this show are limited to 8” x 8”, including frame. Artists are challenged and inspired to create something tiny in physical size, but still powerful and touching in impact and emotion. Changing our perspective and viewpoint in one way can lead us to see our entire world in expansive ways. Size isn’t everything; so what is it really, and how does it impact the creation, vision, and enjoyment of art?

Jewell Cundiff

On Display in the Hallway of Central Bank of Boone County in Downtown Columbia

February 16 - March 29, 2024

Artist Statement

... is a voluntary effort to satisfy an involuntary urge.

Whether two-dimensional,

three-dimensional

or ethereal

the desired intent

of the artistic expression

is to disconnect the observer

from the reality

arrived with...

to capture

to entertain

to supercede one's conscious presence

with new information

in total departure

from one's accustomed rhythms

to provide an escape

from the overwhelming, totally encompassing now into

a free-falling state of uninhibited, limitless experience

where artistic expression

induces calculated, spontaneous excursions

beyond memorable experience

without the burden of consequence

Jewell Edward Cundiff

Artist Bio

Jewell Edward Cundiff was born November 15, 1946, in Boonville, Missouri. He was a gifted musician and received a B.S. Degree in Commercial Art from Central Missouri State University in 1968.

Following four years in the US Navy, he worked briefly as a commercial artist for a small appliance manufacturing company and produced the art for the first small appliance selected for the cover of the Neiman Marcus Christmas catalog.

In 1974 he began freelancing as J.E. Cundiff, a Designer specializing in site-specific homes, and resumed painting in earnest to be featured in his own home. Although he chose to devote his efforts to Architecture, winning awards and creating a large volume of some of the area’s finest homes, he continued selling art through local galleries. He received the 2023 “Award of Excellence” at Art Santa Fe.

Jewell sees Art, Architecture, and Music as innately related forms of artistic expression.

His art has been displayed at Artexpo New York, 2021, 2022, 2023, SPECTRUM MIAMI, 2021, M.A.D.S. Galleries in Milan, Italy and Fuerteven, Spain, 2021, Red Dot Miami 2023 and Dallas, Texas 2023, Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, Chelsea, NY, The Daum Museum of Contemporary Art, Sedalia, MO, and Art Santa Fe 2023.