Water, human connection arise in art professor’s work
Water, agency, human connection arise in art professor’s work
“If water had its way” by Susan Murrell
May 7, 2021
LA GRANDE, Ore. – After a recent solo exhibition in North Portland, Eastern Oregon University art professor Susan Murrell presents her installation “If water had its way”
during her colloquium on May 13 at 4 p.m. via Zoom.
The idea for the mixed-media composite painting, or one painting made of many pieces, came to Murrell during her sabbatical in 2017. She was inspired by the makeup of the water surrounding her in areas like Scandinavia and Alaska. After conducting some research about water from perspectives of physicists and outside texts, Murrell decided the painting stood for more than water itself. One paragraph from a book by Anthony Doer really impacted Murrell.
LA GRANDE â Eastern Oregon University is looking for artwork for the exterior of its new Field House.
EOU, through the Oregon Arts Commissionâs Art in Public Places Program, seeks to commission works for the $9 million facility that is under construction and has $71,000 for the exterior artwork. According to a press release from the university, the budget covers artist fees, fabrication, insurance, shipping, travel, installation, documentation and all other project costs.
The call for artists for the exterior art extends to artists and artist teams in Oregon, Washington and Idaho. The solicitation and selection process is to be inclusive, encouraging a diverse selection of artists to apply, including artists from communities of color, women and LGBTQ+ artists, the release stated.
University graduates
Colton James Cameron, Ocala, Bachelor of Business Administration, School of Business Administration, University of Mississippi
Dean’s List
Other accolades
Charles Phelps, Ocala, University of Maryland Global Campus
Alexandra Saputo, Ocala, Berry College
Local nonprofits receive contributions from Youth Philanthropy in Action middle school students
The Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County and NonProfit Business Council awarded $2,500 as part of the Youth Philanthropy in Action program, according to a press release from the foundation.
In spring 2021, Belleview Middle School and Osceola Middle School participated in YPIA. Osceola did so in spring 2020, as well, but COVID-19 abruptly altered the program delivery.
BAKER CITY â The Baker County YMCA will open a child care center at the Baker Early Learning Center in September.
The center will have space for 40 children â 12 from age six weeks to two years, and 28 three-, four-or five-year-olds.
In a press release announcing the facility, Rob Wilkinson, CEO of the Baker County YMCA, said the center is a collaborative effort to address a critical need for families and employers.
âWe look forward to providing high-quality, dependable child care to local families who need it,â Wilkinson said in the press release. âParents and other caregivers will be able to work productively throughout the community without worrying about the care of those most precious to them.â
LA GRANDE â People who walk and bicycle in south La Grande may have a new reason to celebrate several years from now.
The city of La Grande has applied for a $134,595 grant from the state that would fund the planning work needed before starting on corridor projects that would make it possible for people to walk and bike safely and with ease.
The grant would come from the new Oregon Community Paths Program, which is dedicated to helping build off-road walking and biking paths that connect communities and destinations. House Bill 2017, known as Keep Oregon Moving, funds the Oregon Department of Transportation program.