(Above: “Wishful Thinking,” an acrylic on chipboard painting by Hazel Mesman, 16, a student at Churchill High School in Eugene. The top portion of the work depicts famous world landmarks; the bottom portion includes multi-colored reflections representing the cultures associated with the landmarks. Mesman’s artist’s statement says, “Each culture is wonderfully beautiful alone but when they join all together they balance each other and become more magnificent than ever before.”)

 

By Randi Bjornstad

“Niitsitapi,” a linoleum block print and watercolor by Oak Hill School student Morgan Henery, 15, shows his “respect and awe” for his Native American (Blackfoot) tribal heritage

For the 18th year, the Maude Kerns Art Center will host “Fast Forward: The Mayor’s Teen Art Show,” which will be on display through September, featuring work by 41 artists from 11 schools throughout the area.

The judges who selected the pieces in the show include Daphne Cox, a previous winner of the Mayor’s Teen Art Show award, along with longtime local painter Margaret Leutzinger and Isaac Paris, also an artist as well as an instructor at the Maude Kerns Art Center.

The show includes artwork one in oil and/or acrylic paint, graphite, scratchboard, linoleum block print, sculpture, photography, paint pen, watercolor and ink. One entry is a film by Kashi Hughes, a student at the Acadmy of Arts and Academics, titled “Life Without a Home.”

Cassie Taylor of Churchill HIgh School created a colored-pencil portrait of her grandfather, simply called “Papa” — three of the 15-year-old’s pieces were selected for the show

For the 12th year, the show is sponsored by Comcast, which honors a teen artist with its Comcast Choice Award. Other awards include the Mayor’s Choice Award — chosen this year by Eugene mayor Lucy Vinis — the

Maude Kerns Art Center Award and several artist recognition awards that include gift certificates provided by Oregon Art Supply.

In addition to the public display of their work, the teenagers who participate in the show gain experience in the process of submitting a formal application with an artist’s statement as well as learning about the jurying process and preparing their work for showing.

 

 

 

Fast Forward: The Mayor’s Teen Art Show

What: A show of work by area teenagers, in forms as diverse as drawings, paintings, sculpture, woodblock print, photography and film

When: Sept. 8 to 29

Special event: Reception for the artists and awards ceremony, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15

Where: 1910 E. 15th Ave. in Eugene

Gallery hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; noon to
4:00 p.m. Saturday

Information: 541-345-1571 or mkartcenter.org/