Department of Visual Arts exhibit showcases YVC art at the Larson Gallery
This spring the Larson Gallery once again presented the annual Yakima Valley College Department of Visual Art (DoVA) exhibition. The show presented artwork, created within the past year, by YVC students. Student work was chosen from spring and fall quarters of 2022 and winter quarter of 2023 at Yakima Valley College. Classes represented in the show included ceramics, painting, drawing, printmaking, photography and design.
According to gallery director David Lynx the large selection of student and staff artwork on display make it a favorite for campus and the community.
Instructors of the Visual Arts Department participating in this year’s show included Chris Otten, Rachel Dorn, Monika Lemmon, Robert Millard, David Lynx and Kayo Nakamura.
For adjunct instructor Monika Lemmon — who graduated from YVC in 2002, then received a bachelor’s degree from CWU and a master’s in studio art from University of Idaho — the importance of this exhibit is clear and collaboration between the two groups is clear.
“Showcasing artwork in the DoVA exhibition means a lot to our students,” said Lemmon. “The partnership with the Larson Gallery is very important for not only exhibiting student work but also for arts education and providing an opportunity for students to view a diversity of art media and artistic voices. Having a place on campus where students can view work from professionals, community members and their fellow peers inspires them creatively and supports their arts education.”
“The partnership with the Larson Gallery is very important for not only exhibiting student work but also for arts education and providing an opportunity for students to view a diversity of art media and artistic voices.”
— Monika Lemmon, art instructor
Having exhibited work in many previous shows at the Larson Gallery, Lemmon was excited to submit her work titled “Everything Resisted” to this year’s exhibit.
“I have exhibited work in many shows at the Larson and I really appreciate their focus on local artists. The Larson has provided me a lot of opportunities throughout the years and has given me a way to network with other artists as well. I am very grateful to David Lynx and his dedication to the gallery.”
Overall Lemmon was impressed by this exhibit and how the yearly fixture helps foster creativity amongst students.
“It was inspiring to see the range of student work. It was also very exciting that there were so many awards given to students. I know that it means a lot to a student to receive an award and it can really motivate them to pursue visual arts academically, professionally or as a means to personal growth,” she concluded.
Learn more about the exhibition online.