Fall Art Events

Color Your World: MHCC Art Shows Showcase Inspiring Artists

Join us this fall for an epic journey through the world of art

As the warm and heavy summer air makes way for the crisp breeze of fall and the leaves change from green to gold and amber, Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) is prepping for another amazing fall art show season. The upcoming season will include a showcase of faculty and staff work as well as beautiful displays of nature, translated into expressive artwork by artist Marc Boone.

We were able to sit down and talk with MHCC Visual Arts Gallery Coordinator Jennifer Gillia Cutshall about the upcoming displays. Read more below to learn about these upcoming shows and the wider impact of these artists on our community.

Q: Who are the artists chosen for this fall’s art shows?

A: These art shows will feature professional and emerging artists from our local area and nearby regions, including some of MHCC’s own artists at the faculty show.

Q: What inspired the selection of these art shows and what themes or concepts will they explore?

A: The MHCC visual arts gallery is always changing and has 2,000 square feet of display space. Local, regional, national, and international artists were invited to apply. Members of the art faculty reviewed the proposals and chose artists who best aligned with the gallery's mission which is to bring a diverse cultural experience to the campus and surrounding area. We aim to give people the chance to see inspiring artwork from both known and emerging artists.

Q: How do these art shows contribute to the overall artistic and cultural atmosphere at MHCC?

A: The art shows at MHCC have a big impact beyond the gallery itself. They make people think and give culturally relevant art experiences to students, staff, and Portland as a whole. During the artist receptions, which are events where

Oct. 24 – Show Closes people can meet the artists, we often have up to 300 visitors attend. The shows attract even more visitors throughout their run.

Q: Can you highlight any notable artists or works that will be featured in these shows?

A: We are excited about the faculty show that will start the Holiday Art Sale season, this runs Oct. 2 – Oct. 24. This will highlight the talents of our own art department including John Hasegawa, Matteo Neivert, Nathan Orosco, Edie Overturf, and more. In November, we will showcase the expressive work of Northwest artist Marc Boone. His abstract paintings reflect the beauty of nature and will inspire emerging artists. Also, the MHCC ceramics club hosts a holiday art sale, which is a great place to find unique art gifts.

Q: Are there any workshops, lectures, or events planned alongside the art shows to enhance the overall experience?

A: The MHCC visual arts gallery will host the artist receptions during the day in order to welcome the student body and to best serve the entire campus of staff and faculty.

Q: How do you engage students and encourage their involvement in these art shows?

A: The art faculty invite classes to visit to encourage critique and dialogue. The art faculty also show current student work in the hallways and other areas that surround the gallery. This connects students to the art community and exposes them to new art styles and ideas. It is a perfect window into the vibrant art-making and art-celebrating space that exists in the art department. Last year, students had a great opportunity to explore different art materials and ideas at the gallery. After the pandemic, the public was welcomed back to the gallery, and they enjoyed fantastic shows with a wide range of art styles. One show called "WORDPLAY" highlighted artists who used text in their creative printmaking and media (organized by art faculty member Edie Overturf). People could interact with hands-on stations during this show. Another show, "Tightwire," brought to MHCC through art faculty member, Matteo Neivert and the High Fiber Diet group, presented fascinating fber art. It became very popular, attracting a lot of people to the artist's reception. In December, the gallery transforms with the help of the ceramics club and their holiday sale. The ceramics club also raises money for charities, and thanks to art faculty member John Hasegawa, many ceramics enthusiasts are part of the program.

Q: How do you promote inclusivity and diversity in these shows?

A: Art faculty member Nathan Orozco works to get the call for art out to underserved artists within the local and regional art community, reaching out to advocacy groups directly.

Q: Can you share any success stories or memorable moments from previous art shows?

A: I must admit that each year it’s the faculty and student shows knock my socks of. The faculty show highlights the deep well of skill and vision within the art department. And the student show is a vast, salon-style takeover of the entire space, and it’s breathtaking with hundreds of original works of art.

Q: How does the art department support and nurture emerging artists?

A: The art department serves and supports emerging artists through their curriculum, engagement with students, mentorship, open calls for art, and dialogue between the artists and students at the opening and through classroom visits.

Q: What are your hopes for the impact of these art shows on the local art scene and the college community as a whole?

A: These art shows have the power to transform and inspire. The potential is limitless! My hope is that you will join us this coming season because if the walls could talk, they would whisper, “You are invited!”

MHCC Visual Arts Gallery Fall 2023 Exhibition Schedule

MHCC Visual Arts Faculty Exhibit

Oct. 2 - Show Opens
Oct. 5 - Reception
Oct. 24 - Show Closes

Marc Boone Exhibit
Oct. 30 - Show Opens
Nov. 2 - Reception
Nov. 17 - Show Closes

Holiday Art Sale
Dec. 4-8