Green River teachers show off artwork

Talented Green River teachers have been showing off their work at the Sweetwater County Library.

Sweetwater County School District No. 2 has many talented art teachers. Some of them have had their artwork on display recently at the Library.

The library system is inviting residents to join them for an exhibit reception Monday from 5-6 p.m.

The work of four art teachers, Scott Blume, Stacey Davenport, Shane Steiss and Michelle McNair, is on display.

“Many things inspire me, but often that which is a bit odd, colorful and whimsical/fantasy,” Blume said.

Blume likes to make creative twists. Sometimes it is the challenge of subject matter and composition to create the project. He enjoys pushing himself with his art. It is rarely work, but relaxing to get out of daily stresses and create.

“I have done some creative writing, mostly in the creation of story lines for roleplaying games,” Blume said. “I have a pretty dedicated group of fellow players who enjoy gaming in the worlds I create, and surviving the situations I present them.”

“The most rewarding aspect of teaching for me is the students’ enthusiasm and creativity,” Blume said. “I am amazed at the ideas they can generate and how much their skills can increase in the short time I have them. Presenting them with a project, and then guiding them to its completion, seeing their growth and excitement in finishing it is so rewarding.”

Davenport’s work is constantly changing in formant, appearance and size over the last 45 years.

“I am constantly trying new and different avenues to improve my currant sense of color, structure and use of a given space,” Davenport said. “Trying new and different types of skills processes, and materials always entertains myself at work and at home for art’s sake. My passion for the past 15 years centers around recycling or up-cycling any available objects or items into something worthwhile for an audience to enjoy mentally or visually.”

The Internet provides so many types of art, artists and tutorials that have a major impact on her many efforts to create and think outside the box.

“I continue to seek out new personal challenges at school and at home that expand my abilities, ideas and opportunities to work with a vast variety of materials as an artist,” she said. “This attitude and passion is what I continue to share with my students for the last 28 years in the classroom, setting. I want my students to strive for creating art that is unusual and clever, using materials that are readily available to them.”

Steiss’ creations are based on what inspires him.

“Whenever and whatever I make I seek out opportunities to create contrast and tension. Tension between ideas, shapes, and forms are captivating to me. I find these in nature and that’s why aspens and rivers are so alluring to me; the aspen’s stark white brilliance against the dark shadows of the forest, or a rivers grace as it contradicts the ridged boundaries I set within myself,” Steiss said. “My goal in my work is to understand my own contradictions and desires, my family, and how my love of nature can help me to break through my self-imposed restrictions.”

Most of McNair’s work explores a sense of memory that humans leave behind. The idea that the relics people leave behind are echoes of a life once lived.

“Living in a state with so many abandoned buildings, even entire towns, I can’t help but wonder about the people who loved there,” McNair said. “Why did they leave? What did they encounter that was so insurmountable that they abandoned their home or business? Some of my work explores their reasons, while other pieces mourn for their loss.”

“While printmaking is where my passion is, I do a lot more drawing and painting,” McNair said. “The mediums are more mobile and works better in my limited space. These are older pieces from college.”

McNair’s most recent piece is the still life. While the subject matter is different, the theme is still the exploration of pieces of a life left behind.

“While many artists teach as a way to support their art I find that teaching comes first for me. I want to share my love of ‘making’ with my students,” she said. “The most rewarding aspect of teaching for me is helping my students create a work they can be proud of. The excitement they feel over a project is contagious. I love to watch them share their work to their parents.”

The Sweetwater County Library System encourages local and Wyoming artists to display their creative work at White Mountain Library in Rock Springs and Sweetwater County Library.

A committee of library staff and community volunteers meet to review applications of interested artists and to schedule community shows. Interested individuals are encouraged to pick up an application packet at any of the libraries or contact Debora Soule at the Community Fine Arts Center.