February 19, 2004

Painter Mel McCuddin to Exhibit Works at Whitworth

Painter Mel McCuddin will display his works in an exhibit, "New Paintings," March 2-19 in the Koehler Gallery, located in the Fine Arts Building at Whitworth College. The gallery is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Admission is free. An artist's reception will take place Tuesday, March 2, from 5-7 p.m. in the Koehler Gallery. McCuddin will present a lecture at 6 p.m. during the reception in Room 200 of the Fine Arts Building. For more information, please call (509) 777-3258.

McCuddin's exhibit will feature approximately 12 large figurative paintings portraying images of people, animals and even Humpty Dumpty.

"Mel creates his work by discovering the figures hidden in random marks on the canvas," says Whitworth Assistant Professor of Art Scott Kolbo. "His work is appealing to look at and full of beautiful abstract color compositions. The figures he paints also have a metaphysical presence that often triggers an uneasy reflection on society and the human condition."

McCuddin's education includes study at the Spokane Art Center and Fort Wright College. His solo exhibitions have been displayed in numerous locations, including the Trivet Tower Gallery, in Portland, Ore.; the Plexus Gallery, in Spokane; Skagit Valley Community College, in Mt. Vernon, Wash.; 1001 Fourth Avenue Plaza, in Seattle; the Pago Center, in Pago Pago, American Samoa; and the Art Spirit Gallery, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

McCuddin has also displayed his paintings in invitational exhibitions at locations including the Office of the Secretary of State, in Olympia, Wash.; Nishinomiya, Japan; the Tacoma Art Museum, in Tacoma, Wash.; the Covet Gallery, in Atlanta, Ga.; and the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, in Spokane.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private, liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The college enrolls 2,200 students in more than 50 undergraduate and graduate programs.

Contacts:

Scott Kolbo, assistant professor of art, Whitworth College. (509) 777-4315 or skolbo@whitworth.edu.

Julie Riddle, public information specialist, Whitworth College, (509) 777-3729 or jriddle@whitworth.edu.