“Art is essential to human culture,” says Krista Schoening, new director of the Larson Gallery, located on YVC’s Yakima Campus. “It is everywhere you look — the logic of art and design is embedded in the material world that surrounds us and present in the activities and events that entertain us — and I think we sometimes forget as a society that art truly is everywhere.”
She noted that although support for the arts gets is sometimes overlooked or missed in today’s world, it plays a crucial role in how we live and connect with each other.
“Art is fulfilling in itself and often gets categorized as a leisure activity because of that, but it’s essential. It’s not just the frosting on the cake of life — art is social and cultural vitamins!” said Schoening.
Schoening comes to the Yakima Valley from Arkansas, where she most recently served as assistant professor of painting at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
She holds both a Master of Fine Arts in painting and drawing and a Master of Arts in art history from the University of Washington (UW). During her time at UW, she was a graduate curatorial assistant at the Henry Art Gallery. She has also taught 2D studio art at UW, Olympic College and small studio schools in the U.S. and France.
Schoening is a practicing artist herself whose work has been exhibited in both commercial and public galleries, including Cedar Rapids Art Museum, Susquehanna Art Museum and Grand Rapids Art Museum.
“My own artistic career is important,” said Schoening. “But I got really excited about promoting other artists and the arts in general. I shifted from promoting myself to others — first my students and now artists in the community.”
YVC Voice sat down with Schoening to talk about her plans for leadership of the gallery. Some comments have been edited for length and clarity.
Krista Schoening, center, shares a laugh with Gallery staff members.
What made you interested in working in the Larson Gallery?
Many things. I was in a position in higher education already working as a professor
of painting and drawing. I had been in higher education for a while, and I became
really interested in programming events and looking at a more extended vision of education
in the arts.
I have had a very eclectic background when it comes to the arts itself. So, when I saw the position at the Larson Gallery, it seemed to align well with my own strengths and interests as I’m an artist who is also interested in art history, contemporary artwork, community outreach, research and curation. I also am interested in agriculture so for me, coming to the Yakima Valley was exciting.
This position allows me to continue to work in higher education from a different perspective, one where I’m in more of a public facing role and get to work with a variety of artists.
What are your short-term goals for the Gallery?
My short-term goal is to continue as the Gallery as it is, because it is a really
vibrant organization with a lot of community support. I want to continue the work
of its past directors. I am also going to put my creative mind to work to on how to
bring in people that haven’t been brought into the Gallery in the past.
Medium-term my goal is to reactivate the former Gallery space and right now we are working on imagining and dreaming of what that space can be.
Long-term I want to work on reaching out to different parts of the community that aren’t yet connected with the gallery so we can serve more people. Another goal I have is to increase fundraising and start bringing in shows with artists that are more nationally known, while keeping a focus on local art and artists that supports our mission.
What exhibits are you most excited to bring to Yakima?
Some really great programming is already in place that I’m excited about. I am also
looking for new exhibits that connect with the community in different ways and reinvigorate
the relationship between the Gallery and Yakima Valley College.
What do you love about the Gallery space?
The thing I like most so far is the people. Since I’ve gotten here, I’ve been welcomed
by so many people who are in the arts community in Yakima. This community seems exceptional
for its grassroots support for the arts. The facilities are also amazing! The gallery is well designed and presents the art well in the space.
As a practicing artist, what’s your favorite medium?
That’s hard to say. I have been an oil painter for most of my career. Recently I have
started working in egg tempera and watercolor. [Egg tempera], like a lot of physical art media, has very specific
characteristic that make it kind of a cranky medium. I love working with a material
that gives you push back. It changes the character of the project and, for me, the
character of the materials is a real motivation for making art.
How do you draw inspiration for your own art?
I have been interested in art history for a long time. I think the way we live, our
thought patterns, and ways of being are mirrored through history. I have looked a
lot at historical still life paintings as a starting off point. I am also inspired
by the connection between people and plants – I get a huge amount of inspiration from
working with plants in the garden, and observing the ways they are used, valued, or
overlooked, by human cultures.
What changes can patrons expect to see in the Gallery moving forward?
One exciting change is that we have cleared a wall near the entrance to the gallery,
which will be used exclusively to display local artists’ work. We are also going to
have our neighbors from the Yakima Valley Vintners Yakima Tasting Room pouring at most gallery openings, so folks can expect to be able
to purchase glasses of their wines at openings to support both the Vintners and the
Larson Gallery. They will also be bringing over a non-alcoholic cider available for
purchase, for anyone who still wants to enjoy locally grown craft beverages but prefers
a non-alcoholic option.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Everybody has been really welcoming, and I want to match that welcoming energy. If
anyone wants to have a conversation with me about art, potential collaborations for
programming, ideas for exhibitions, or whatever — I welcome that. Please reach out
to me if you have something you want to discuss! Overall, I’m very happy to be here.
Yakima is a fantastic place, and I’m excited to be part of it.
Story by Stefanie Menard, AA-DTA ’05, communications consultant. Photos by Juan Padilla, public relations student assistant.