Paul Sparks: Friends, Cronies, and Colleagues

The major spring exhibition at Evergreen Galleries, Paul Sparks: Friends, Cronies, and Colleagues, honors Paul Sparks, an innovative artist and teacher who recently retired after 32 years of teaching at The Evergreen State College. The opening reception is Friday, April 28 from 6 to 9 p.m, and the exhibition runs through May 18 at Gallery 4, on the fourth floor of the Evans Library Building.

Sparks may be best known for his influence on individuals as diverse as Comics Stars Charles Burns, Lynda Barry, and Matt Groening; art theorist Doug Kahn; and the cult filmmaker Steven DeJarnette. Sparks may be less well known as an artist, although he is represented in most of the major photography collections in the United States and Europe and has taught and worked with a variety of media over the last three decades. However, over the years, Sparks has been adamant that his real creative work is teaching.

To highlight both aspects of his creative work, Sparks’ artworks will be shown alongside works by long-time friends and colleagues and by some of his most recent students. Artworks exhibited will be primarily painting, with several works of sculpture and photography. Participating artists include: Caroline Anderson, Michael Anderson, Vann Cantin, Anthony Cotham, Sean Ferris, Bob Haft, Claire Johnson, Mike Kohlmeier, Michael Leavitt, Chris Nelson, Chauney Peck, Tim Roberts, Eve Shaw, Darin Shuler, Nathan Smith, Sarah Utter, Sharon Warden, Ed Wicklander.

Normal gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 12 - 4 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Campus parking is $1.25. For more information, go to www.evergreen.edu/gallery