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Pieces of University of Idaho students’ creative visions decorate the offices of some important political figures in Washington, D.C.
Art created by UI students in the College of Art and Architecture are on display in Idaho Congressional delegation offices belonging to Sens. Larry Craig and Mike Crapo, and to Reps. Bill Sali and Mike Simpson.
Julie Galloway, arts collection manager for UI, said that the display came to be after a faculty exhibition that went to Washington, D.C., in 2002.
“Because of the success of the faculty exhibition that went to the Washington, D.C., offices in 2002 the current leadership both in the College of Art and Architecture and in D.C. decided it would be a good idea to have a student exhibit,”Galloway said.
 CAA Professor Joe Zeller (L) and Instructor Julie Galloway (R), pose with Sen. Larry Craig after installing student artwork in his office. Courtesy Photo
“There are also four digital picture frames with hundreds of images from all areas in the College of Art and Architecture,” Galloway said.
Faculty gathered the art from their current classes and recent former students, and then the department chairs selected the work to be included.
Galloway then gathered the work from the chairpersons and facilitated all parties involved, as well as covered many of the details required to get an exhibition from here to there, she said.
“This display gives visibility to our programs and creates a connection in both directions between UI and D.C. Also, because this is an undergraduate students’ exhibition, it gives them, often for the first time, a chance to engage the critical process of review and selection, and the preparation of work for an external audience. It’s a great experience and an impetus in the direction of a professional career,” Galloway said.
‘Spaceship’
Spaceship” by UI graduate Joseph VanZeipel is one of the 22 pieces on display.
After graduating from UI in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in virtual technology and design, VanZeipel said he feels honored to have his work on display in D.C.
“The program at Idaho has broadened my horizons and helped me grow as a designer and artist beyond anything I could have hoped for,” he said.
VanZeipel said “Spaceship” is a study in form.
“I wanted the shape of the ship to evoke freedom so I modeled the back half from a bird’s folded wings,” VanZeipel said. “I also wanted to communicate strength and confidence so solid, tight forms were used in the front half.”
After graduating, VanZeipel moved around pursuing his artistic endeavors.
Now in Vancouver, British Columbia, he said he looks forward to creating new art and design work.
“Now that I’m in a new environment, I feel a huge urge to get really creative again and start playing around with some new materials,” VanZeipel said. “I’ve always wanted to incorporate light as art in
some capacity.”
‘Dark Street in Venice at Night’
Laura McDonough’s studio art and design student, painting “Dark Street in Venice at Night” was picked to be on display.
“It’s incredible,” she said.
When last semester came to a close, McDonough’s painting was one of the pieces on display in the Ridenbaugh Gallery.
She created the piece in her painting class.
When it was picked to go to the display, she said she was happy to know that others felt good about her art — good enough to send it to such an important display.
“I feel really good about my piece, and it’s good to know that others do too,” she said.
‘Untitled’
Brian Ellis Cucksey, a landscape architecture major, said that when he first heard his art was chosen, he was surprised.
“My piece was a part of a project from a class I took last spring. I knew that the department had kept it, but I didn’t know it would go to D.C. to be on display. It was a good surprise,” he said.
Cucksey’s untitled piece, which he described as an abstract interpretation of water made out of layers of foam board, was part of a project that everyone in his studio class had to make last spring.
“It’s nice to know that the department is giving recognition to people. I don’t know that this piece will make people know who I am, but it helps people be more aware of the department and what we have to offer,” Cucksey said.
‘Camera phone’
Robert Harder, an art and design major, was also surof last semester the teacher in my printmaking class told us that we needed to have some stuff framed just in case we wanted to have it go to D.C. to be on display,” Harder said.
Harder said that he was surprised his untitled polyester litho print was picked because the entire situation was a little bit rushed.
“I had no idea it would happen,” Harder said.
His print, which came from a camera phone shot of a hand reaching into a mirror but looks like two hands reaching for each other, came as a part of an experiment he tried out for his class.
“I took the image from the camera phone and experimented with it a bit and it turned out really neat,” Harder said.
 College of Art and Architecture student works on display in Idaho Congressional Delegation offices. Courtesy Art
“It’s been really cool for us all,” Harder said. “This is a nice opportunity for students, especially for a class like printmaking, which isn’t as common or known as, say, painting.”
The opportunity is a great way to get a foot in the door artistically, he said.
“It’s this chance for young artists to build experience, especially for those who don’t get a formal opportunity to display their work. It’s also a great resume builder,” Harder said.
All three of the students said that they have received positive comments and feedback from their teachers and peers since they learned of their accomplishment.
“I’ve gotten a lot of support from others. I’ve had a lot of people telling me congrats and good job, it’s been great,” McDonough said.
The pieces, which were installed in the offices in January, will remain on display until mid-April. prised to learn his art would be going to Washington, D.C.
“About a week or two before the end of
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