FREEPORT — As Dr. Roger Goodspeed accepted his “Best of Show—Community” award for his acrylic painting titled “Tik-Tok: Measuring the Days of our Being,”, he asked Highland Gallery Director Robert Apolloni if he could say a few words.
“Sure, please!” Apolloni replied.
Leaning on his cane, Goodspeed turned to address the audience at the opening awards and reception for Highland’s 54th Annual District Juried Arts Exhibit. His statement was brief but poignant.
“Tik-Tok was started the day after my wife died. We were married 67 years,” he began. “Count your blessings. Count every day. The clock ticks.”
Goodspeed’s words settled on a crowd that ranged from young art students who recognized Tik-Tok as the name of their favorite app to senior artists who understood Goodspeed’s message all too well. Therein lies the particular magic of Highland’s Annual District Juried Art Exhibit, which kicked off Feb. 10 with the opening ceremony.
Traditionally, juried art exhibits focus either on students or community members. This distinct event celebrates both. It is a hybrid model Apollino inherited decades ago—and one he happily continues.
“Each spring semester, the Highland Gallery sponsors a district juried art exhibition open to all Highland students as well as residents living in the Highland Community College district, ages 18 years or older,” Apollino explained. “This exhibit provides students and community members the opportunity to submit works of art for consideration into this annual and exciting exhibit, where a juror accepts, rejects, and places awards on submissions.”
This year, there were 28 submitters, with a total of 61 works of art accepted into the exhibit, which will run through March 10 in the west wing of the Ferguson Fine Arts Center. Awards, which included two best in show honors (one for student and one for community), first, second and third places as well as six honorable mentions, were announced at the Feb. 10 reception.
Telling a Visual Story
[JPEG, 215.06 KB]Kat Wichmann beamed as she accepted her “Best in Show—Student” award. Her self-portrait was a class assignment. She spent the entire two-week period working on it, up to the minute it was due.
“The increasing excitement I experienced as each award was given—it wasn’t my name called until the very end—took me so off guard that even now I’m still sitting in wonder about it,” Wichmann later said. “My dad was across the hall from me and had tears streaming down his face, which maybe should have been a sign that I’d done quite well, but it wasn’t until after that I connected the dots.”
Community member Tina Connova, who received an honorable mention, explained her portrait of an incarcerated woman, “Mildred Louise Knox,” also featured in the Old Idaho Penitentiary’s “32 Cells” art show.
Student Lucia Rodriguez’s vase, titled “Crane Birds,” was the happy result of a Highland pottery class project and a new experience for the young artist that resulted in first place honors.
No matter the medium or level of experience, a constant theme persisted. Each piece of art came with a story—a beloved subject, a profound emotional journey or a personal artistic challenge.
Spotlighting a Hub for Fine Arts
“Submitting works of art for exhibition consideration is an important aspect for all artists, and this exhibit stands as a testament to the vitality of the arts in our district as this will be the 54th year Highland Community College has provided this exhibition,” said Apolloni, who also teaches art at Highland, as he spoke at the event.
After welcoming the artists, Highland President Chris Kuberski drove home that fact during her comments at the reception.
“Many colleges have had to cut programs, particularly in the fine arts,” said Kuberski. “Though we’re small, we continue to be mighty in the fact that we continue to offer all of those fine art programs,” she said, emphasizing the College’s commitment to visual arts as well as music and theater programs that bring the district together. “We believe we should be the cultural hub of the district and the region.”
Rae Brunner, Dean of Humanities, Social Science and Fine Arts, also recognized the artists’ creativity and skill during the ceremony, and Jim Phillips, Vice President of Academic Services, congratulated each as their awards were announced.
The community is invited to view Highland’s 54th Annual District Juried Arts Exhibit through March 10 in the west hallway and Highland Gallery of the Ferguson Fine Arts Center. Photos of all award winners are shared on Highland’s Facebook page.
Exhibition Award Winners:
Best of Show Community: Roger Goodspeed “Tik-Tok – Measuring the Days of Our Being,” acrylic
Best of Show Student:Kat Wichman “I See You in the Mirror Drawing,” drawing
First Place:Lucia Rodriguez “Crane Birds,” ceramics
Second Place:Jane Elliott “Cicada Dance” mixed media
Third Place: Marcia Rabideau “Koi Play,” watercolor
Honorable Mentions
Ellen Bartels “Inner Light,” mixed media
Tina Cannova “Mildred Louise Knox,” painting
Aaron Melvin, “Savage Plant,” charcoal Conté crayon
Frances Shriver, “Tabby Cat Portrait,” pastel color pencil
Shelly Stevens, “I Can’t Handle Change,” painting
Barbara Untersee, “Daffodil,” painting
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