Crater Lake Centennial Exhibition

Exhibition Statement

The natural landscape of the west has been a draw and an inspiration for artists for many generations. Their interpretations and renderings of the natural beauty of the land was a major influence on subsequent development and western expansion. It played a key role in bringing to the attention of the general public and politicians the need to preserve these pristine environments. In the summer of 2000, the Schneider Museum of Art was approached by the park service with the idea of an exhibition that would feature artist renderings and interpretations of the many facets of Crater Lake National Park, and the artwork would be exhibited as part of the Centennial Celebration noting the dedication of the territory as a National Park. A residency program was established for artists to spend 1-4 weeks up at the lake. The park service at Crater Lake provided housing and studio space for the artists. Applications were reviewed and selected by former Schneider Museum director, Sanford Shaman, with a total of 49 regional and national artists selected to participate in the program. The Schneider Museum of Art exhibited the artwork from June 28 – October 5, 2002.

The art produced during the artist residencies reflect a wide diversity of media from photography and traditional oil painting to multi-media constructions and installations. Many local artists participated in the residency program as well as artists from around the United States, China, and Israel. Feedback from the artists and park employees exuded positive feelings and experiences. The artists experienced newfound respect for the landscape, and park employees, trained in the sciences, began to view the environment through the artists eyes with a new aesthetic appreciation of water, geological formations, forests and sky.

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