Students invited to present work at local art show

This year, the free event ArtTWEET will be making its debut on Nov. 14 at Valley Art on Main Street.

The event is being sponsored by the Forest Grove Valley Art Association and supported by the Forest Grove Public Art Commission. The idea to do ArtTWEET came from association members and local artists but Media Arts Professor Mike Geraci volunteered to help organize the event.

According to Geraci, “it is primarily geared toward getting Pacific students more involved with the local art culture.”

Local artists as well as selected seniors from Pacific’s art department will be showing some of their work. Types of art featured will include paintings, sculptures, ceramics and photos.

Geraci explained “the ‘tweet’ part of the event is to have students use social media tools like Facebook and Twitter to become more connected to the local art scene.”

Students are encouraged to bring their smart phones to take pictures and to post or tweet about the event. Valley Art is on Facebook and Twitter, so students can like and/or follow them to stay connected with the gallery and art scene.

Also attending the event will be alternative folk trio Fanno Creek, who will be giving a half hour acoustic performance. The band is comprised of former Pacific student, and they have built a strong local following in the Forest Grove area.  The band will also be selling their CD’s at the event. For those interested in purchasing art, all of Valley Art’s works are for sale.

The gallery opens at 5:00 p.m. and students will have a chance to check out the art, get free food and talk with the artists.  A raffle will be held at 5:30 p.m. for a chance to win bookstore clothing, food and various prizes from local merchants.

Artists will also be talking about how students can get more involved. At 5:30 p.m., the seniors will show and talk about their works.  Fanno Creek goes on at 6:15 p.m, followed by a short wrap up.

People will have a chance to vote for their favorite piece of art among the Pacific seniors and at the end of the event, one student will be awarded for having the best work of ArtTWEET.

Geraci concluded, “I hope this event encourages students who have never been to Valley Art to come by and check it out.”