VANCOUVER, Wash. — The Student Services building gallery, Engineering Life Sciences building and library are brimming with African American and Polish art as part of three public art exhibits at Washington State University Vancouver focusing on diversity.
On display in the Student Services gallery are black and white photos of African American children by Portland artist Harriet Jackson. A teacher by profession, Jackson’s pieces illuminate the innocence of youth in slice-of-life settings amongst poverty. The photos on display are of street children, or Meninos De Rua, in Brazil. Photography has enabled Jackson to combine her love of art and children. “Children are so genuine,” she said. “Their smiles bring us back to a time when life was less complicated.” The photographs will remain on display through Feb. 28.
On display in the Engineering Life Sciences Building are Polish movie posters exhibited at the 2001 Seattle Polish Film Festival from the private collection of Maria and Ryszard Kott. The posters, from 1970 to 2001, pay tribute to Polish poster art as an artistic phenomenon. “A good movie poster is a very precious thing, for it constitutes an extension of the magic of cinema – the magic that we succumb to regardless of our age, position and occupation,” said Ryszard Kott. The posters will be on display through March 29.
“Masks, Music and Motion: Community Healing Among the Yoruba of West Africa” remains on display in the WSU Vancouver library through Feb. 28. This exhibit features Yoruba sculpture, masks, clothing and photography from the private collection of Mary L. Johnston of Florence, Ore.
Gallery exhibits at WSU Vancouver are coordinated by the Office of Campus Advancement. Student Services gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Engineering Life Sciences Building hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Library hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and weekends, noon to 5 p.m.
WSU Vancouver is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave. For more information, call (360) 546-9600 or (360) 546-9575 for information regarding the exhibit in the library.
