Nightingale Gallery at EOU Celebrates Student Artistry with Annual Juried Exhibition and Awards

Nightingale Gallery at EOU Celebrates Student Artistry with Annual Juried Exhibition and Awards

LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Nightingale Gallery of Eastern Oregon University will close out the 2023-24 exhibition season with the annual celebration of student artists. The annual All-Campus Juried Student Exhibition will run from May 17 through June 14.  There will be an opening reception on Friday, May 17, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a presentation of awards at 5:45 p.m. The exhibit features work by EOU students from a variety of disciplines.  

Our juror this year is Kendra Roberts. Roberts is an art curator, programmer, and producer. She has developed innovative non-vocational educational arts programming across multiple disciplines, designed and curated visual art exhibitions in multiple, concurrent, non-traditional spaces, and coordinated the production, marketing, and presentation of staged performances in indoor and outdoor venues. Through her vast experience as an arts advocate and collaborator, she brings the perspective of a self-produced working artist, curator, and arts administrator to her work as founder of Kendra Studio Jewellery and Common Ground Arts, as well as the newly appointed director of public engagement at Blackfish Gallery in Portland. Roberts has a B.A. from DePauw University, Indiana, and a Master of Design from the Glasgow School of Art, Scotland.

Roberts will present a public talk on her studio and curatorial practice on Wednesday, May 8 at 6 p.m. in Huber Auditorium, Badgley Hall. The presentation is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

In addition to selecting works to include in the exhibit, Roberts will select several works to be recognized with monetary awards.  In addition to the juror’s awards, there will be the presentation of the fourteenth annual Kathelene Galloway Memorial Scholarship and our fifteenth annual presentation of the Joseph Dickerson Memorial Award. 

The Kathelene Galloway Memorial Scholarship is a $500.00 award given to a sophomore or junior level Art major who exhibits exemplary technical and conceptual skills. The award is made in memory of Kathelene Galloway,  a professor of Printmaking and Drawing at EOU. Galloway, who died suddenly in December of 2009, was a highly dedicated and much-loved artist, teacher, and colleague. She was an advocate for her students, art, artists, and EOU. She lived to share knowledge and the wonder that comes with discovery. Galloway exemplified the excellence to which we encourage our students to endeavor. 

The Joseph Dickerson Memorial Award is in memory of Joe Dickerson an EOU freshman tragically killed in a 2009 auto accident. Following the loss of their son, Joe’s parents, Doug and Kyla Dickerson gifted funds to the EOU Art program. Joe was a model student whose creative energy and enthusiasm for learning were infectious. In light of this the EOU Art Program chose to use the funds so generously given by the Dickerson family to endow an award in their son’s name to be presented annually to a student who the Art faculty feels best exemplifies Joe’s dedication, curiosity, and creative spirit. 

All awards will be announced at the reception at 5:45 p.m. on May 17.

The Nightingale Gallery is located in Loso Hall on the campus of Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, OR.  Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 4p.m.. For more information, go to www.eou.edu/art or follow the Nightingale Gallery on Facebook and Instagram.
To request images of artwork for publication or to schedule an interview with one or more of the artists please contact Gallery Director Cory Peeke at cpeeke@eou.edu.