>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

BRIGHT AND BOLD: Cove artist Katherine Treffinger is showing her work this month at The Potter’s House.

An art student on the dean’s list at EOU, Nanda has studied ceramics extensively under Peter Johnson, exploring ceramic sculpture, glazing, and advanced ceramics for the past year. She likes to incorporate designs from her native country into her art, such as the broad leaves of the rainforest, bold flower blossoms, weave patterns and geometric designs from the ancient Brazilian Indians.

Apparatus #13: Stoneware by Todd Volz

The show runs through June 6 and will also be part of Third Thursday Art Walk from 5 to 8 p.m. May 15.

The group show will feature the work of four regional ceramic artists. From functional to whimsical, the work in this exhibit is a comprehensive cross section of diverse approaches and interpretations of the ceramic medium.

UNTITLED 2008: The installation Cody Bloom has made specifically for this exhibition will include a series of drawings done over the last several weeks. He has approached these drawings with an experimental influence, utilizing photos from friends and source material from scientific interests.

The exhibition will run May 2 through 23 in conjunction with This is the Last Thing You’ll Ever See, the senior capstone exhibition of Lisa Greif, Lucas Kruse and Risa Ubagai (see Page 12).

There will be an opening reception honoring all the artists Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the gallery. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lisa Greif - “Camouflage” - 4 9/16” x 7 11/16” 2007

The exhibition will focus on two-dimensional work that serves as the accumulation of the students’ tenure at EOU.

GROWISER: Local ecological restoration group was awarded funds to purchase materials for children’s art workshops. - Submitted photo

The UCCC does this by following the guidelines of the Union Country Cultural Plan, which includes assisting in the establishment of and maintaining a Union County cultural facility, providing professional workshops for citizens involved in the cultural community, creating cultural marketing materials, promoting regional arts and heritage events and organizations, and providing matching grants directly to artists and others working to culturally enrich our community.

KEYBOARD MAESTRO: Matt Cooper will perform Wednesday at McKenzie Theatre. - EOU photo

The professor of music at Eastern Oregon University will demonstrate Wednesday the musical forms that were originally improvised, as well as pieces specifically titled “improvisation.” The faculty recital starts at 7:30 p.m. in McKenzie Theatre.

Although usually associated with jazz and contemporary popular music, improvisation was also once an integral part of the classical music tradition. Many well-known composers such as Bach, Mozart, Beethoven,Chopin and Liszt were also adroit improvisers.

WELCOMING SPRING: Among those performing in the fifth edition of “Spring Into broadway” are, back row from left, Jennifer Sasser, Jillian Wheeler, Jennifer Romriell and Kami Richards. In front is Jessica Waite. The singers are performing “I Can Hear the Bells.” - Photo/KENN WHEELER

What does this all mean? Well, it means that spring is finally here, and that it’s a time to celebrate. And what better way to celebrate than to bring the entire family to the EOU theater program’s fifth annual musical theatre revue, “Spring Into Broadway II,” playing April 17-19 and 24-26 in the Schwarz Theatre on campus.

For the fifth year in a row, Eastern’s theater program has gathered a group of talented actors/singers to present an evening of song and dance, featuring the latest from Broadway as well as some old standards that never lose their appeal.

NEW AT THE SATELLITE GALLERY: “Judgment of the Flowers” — Steve Feldman

The show will feature a wide variety of work from 14 of the Grande Ronde Valley’s most accomplished artists. From printmaking to ceramics, there is sure to be something for everyone.

The concept for this exhibit was to offer up the gallery space to these artists to bring in some of their underrepresented inventory and give the public a chance to see the outstanding talent that resides in the valley.

‘WINTER’S CHILL’: Watercolor by La Grande artist Jan Clark

However, at this Third Thursday’s Art Walk at the Mitre’s Touch Gallery, the La Grande artist will unveil displays of her latest work in batik (ba-teek) and mixed media collage. Mitre’s Touch is just one of several galleries partiocpating in the April 17 event between 5 and 8 p.m.

Batik is a centuries-old, wax-resist dyeing technique that can be used on textiles such as silk, cotton and wool as well as leather, paper, wood and ceramics. This expressive art form is found in several countries in West Africa and Asia. In Indonesia, the ancient tradition is considered a national art form.

WOMAN’S HANDS #2: Christine Heap, 12”x12”, 2008

An opening reception for the artists will be held Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. in the gallery.

The exhibition, titled, “What’s Within,” showcases the body of work that Emily Chartier, Christine Heap, Ashley Heisler and Matthew McDonal have developed during their time as students at EOU.