Alumni Group Show on display in Memorial Hall

The CSC Alumni Group Show is currently on display in both galleries in Memorial Hall. These displays include the work of alumni of the CSC Art Department.

The artwork ranges from paintings and photographs to stained glass and quilts. The art in the main gallery, on the first floor of Memorial Hall, is mostly realistic and includes depictions of the outdoors and generations of people, from children splashing in a puddle to an elderly rancher. This art evokes a sense of nostalgia for local places and local people.

The gallery in Room 239 is more abstract and requires interpretation from the viewer. Both galleries contain interesting pieces of art.

In the main gallery, “Spring Time” by Nathan Blindman is an acrylic painting, depicting verdant hills and bluffs. The low hills in the foreground, and ridges and bluffs in the background create layers and dimension. The green landscape and expanse of sky are reminiscent of western Nebraska and evoke a sense of “I’ve been there.”

“Spade Brand,” a watercolor painting by Don Ruleaux, portrays a weathered rancher, branding iron in hand, in the foreground and a herd of cows and anxious calves in the background. The rancher has a lined face and stoic expression. With his flannel shirt, Carhartt-style jacket, and faded black hat, he seems representative of the local rancher. Viewers might even associate him with someone they know. The cattle in the background seem oblivious to his presence, while the calves watch him apprehensively.

“The Many Ties That Bind,” a predominantly black and white pastel drawing by Kit Watson, shows an older woman gazing into the distance while she holds a letter. Other letters have slipped off her lap and onto the floor.

Faded lines of writing make up the immediate background; beyond that is a blurred image of a woman, facing away from the old woman, toward the horizon. The use of black and white as the main “colors” in this drawing evokes a sense of the past and memory.

In contrast to this realistic artwork, the art in the upstairs gallery is more abstract. “Flummoxed,” a serigraph by Karri A. Doeke, will obfuscate viewers. The background is yellow with red Baroque-style designs and resembles wall paper. In the middle is a cutout of what appears to have been the mounted head of a buck. This unique piece of art will leave the viewer as perplexed as the title indicates.

“Van Gogh’s Visit” is an intricate fiber art quilt by Whitney Tewahade. The textured quilt shows a nighttime scene composed of hills, trees, stars, and the moon. The bold colors, trees, and swirly night sky are similar to Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night.”

The quilt is a vivid mix of colors, from the green, blue, and purple hills to the green and black trees and the yellow beads outlining the stars. The texture, colors, and detail of this quilt make it visually interesting.

Both galleries of the CSC Alumni Group Show will be on display until Nov. 19.

Correction:This article originally listed “Don Ruleaux” as “David Ruleaux.”