Linn-Benton public art students traveled to Astoria to attend an art opening at Clatsop Community College on April 5. The show featured artwork from Linn-Benton ceramics instructor Renee McKitterick, as well as artwork by artists Frank Boyden and Rich Bergeman. Boyden had a series of prints on display along with ceramic work, while Bergeman showcased prints of his infrared photography.
The artwork by McKitterick involved both ceramic vessels and wall installations. She spoke about some of the inspirations for her artwork before answering questions from the audience about her process and her decisions about how to install the wall installations. For this show, McKitterick was inspired by abstracted literary elements and forces of nature. When asked about how she balances teaching with her artmaking, McKitterick said she felt energized by her students and this fueled her work on the weekends.
The show “Empathies and Energies” is on display at the Royal Nebeker Gallery in Astoria through May 10.
The following day, McKitterick and her public art students traveled to Portland to visit the Portland Art Museum. The students explored the museum for a few hours before regrouping as a class and visiting some of Portland’s most famous works of public art.
