Spokane Art School Gallery

Spokane Art School, located on Garland Ave., “is a respected, private, non-profits arts institution that has been actively working to make Spokane a more creative, visually savvy community since 1968.” The current exhibition that is taking place from November 7 through December 24 features many original paintings, sculptures, and other multimedia art in the quaint gallery that’s nestled on the small town street.

            There are several projects that obviously portray talent, through different mediums and expressions of art. One of the pieces that stood out to me was “Look, Darling” by Lindsey Merrell. The sketch features a side profile of a personified rabbit with a green dress on. Just looking at the artwork I was brought back to my childhood. Not knowing exactly the history and context of which this piece was created for and from, I tried to interpret it myself. It reminded me of Beatrix Potter’s old children’s books. It gave me a light hearted, reminiscent feeling, all the while leaving me in an uncomfortable light. Something about an animal’s head being placed on a human body challenges me with what to feel. Especially because it is left at a simple sketch and one highlight of external medium, something about it feels incomplete, and almost assumingly intentional. It’s interesting to see how this simple piece of art affected my interpretation and position as a viewer.

            I believe it is important for communities to have venues for fostering, learning, and hosting art. With these resources, creativity is encouraged and introduced even in the most unexpected areas. Coming from a town that is so small, with not much to do, I have observed how important and beneficial it is for a place like this to exist. I appreciate the Spokane Art School and its effort to propose art as a gift to the world, and furthermore invest in Spokane’s greater community.


http://spokaneartschool.net