EWU Downtown Gallery highlights Cheney artists

Cheney residents who wander inside the Eastern Washington University Downtown Student Gallery, located at 404 Second St. may notice some familiar artifacts or landscapes.

The gallery held an artists' reception for the "Everything Cheney" art show, Nov. 6, where onlookers had a chance to observe the artwork on display, as well as meet some of the artists.

Some of the local landscapes include Ben Wolen's paintings of "Rock Lake Sunrise," "Cheney Springs School," and "Williams Lake and Gilliard's Cove."

Janet Wilbanks, a Cheney resident since 1991, had oil paintings on canvas of cowboy boots, hats and gloves, which she said is a representation of the Cheney rodeo.

"When they said they wanted work from Cheney artists, I thought 'I need to be in there,'" Wilbanks said.

Although Wilbanks has been a part of the West Plains Artist Tour, the "Everything Cheney" art show is the first time her work has been featured in a gallery.

"It's nice to see my work hanging on these walls," Wilbanks said.

Several residents attended the reception, including EWU President Dr. Mary Cullinan, who has been to every show the gallery has had since it opened in April.

"It's wonderful that the gallery is highlighting artists from Cheney," Cullinan said. "I don't know if there is a place that currently does that for local artists."

"Everything Cheney" runs until Nov. 20. Elizabeth Baker, who works in the EWU Student Affairs Office, said the gallery is undergoing a second phase of construction in December. She hopes the gallery will re-open in January.

"It's exciting and extraordinary that Cheney is so welcoming to the art community," Baker said. Our only plan is to see the support go further."

Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].

 

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