This First Thursday in the W+K atrium, Caldera presents an exhibition that is two-fold: an exploration of central Oregon’s landscape through the eye of a lens and illustrating the impression of legendary blues singers from Bessie Smith to Blind Boy Fuller; and their impact on Caldera’s student artists.

Tamarack Hall Project: Over the past year, Caldera apprentice students have been exploring central Oregon landscape through the eye of a lens and soon began to explore various ideas. This year, students met with Portland Vital Signs to talk about a collaboration project.

Through this process, students were truly able to explore their craft. They spent time in their subject matter and came to know the place they loved. The second aspect of the project was teaching students about the commission process, something professional photographers do regularly.

The Caldera Blues Project:
 Part of Caldera’s Spring Intensives in both Central Oregon and Portland, and the goal was to both learn about legendary blues artists and to make art inspired by their stories. After having some time to digest the amazing and sometimes difficult lives of these musicians, the students went to work.

First they transferred their musicians’ images to the paper using a graphite transfer technique. Then students filled in the pencil lines using paint, pencils, markers and collage. Four hours later, students showed their work to classmates.

On June 7th, students will celebrate the opening of their exhibit at W+K Gallery that will run until June 26th. Final pieces from the Tamarack Hall Project will come to live in Blue Lake’s Tamarack Hall.