For our 4th Annual Small Works Show, curator Jim Wylder wanted to give artists a challenge: show us work that celebrates the fusion of the past and present. This year’s theme, “Old School / New School,” explores that intersection of tradition and innovation, where classical form meets modern voice.

What can you expect? This is art that uses classical techniques, motifs, or materials to express contemporary, futuristic, or socially relevant ideas. From a high-tech Vermeer to Byzantine iconography refreshed for a modern perspective, we’ll show you how the old can say something new.

These ten young artists have not only demonstrated exceptional technical skill but have also successfully completed a professional workshop designed to bridge the gap between student creator and career artist. For many, this exhibition marks their official debut as professional artists.

While their mediums range from the tactile earthiness of ceramics to the vibrant precision of alcohol markers and digital photography, several powerful themes bind this cohort together. We see a profound bravery in this collection as students use their voices to navigate the lived experiences of transgender adolescence, the symbolic representation of political injustice, and the complex depictions of womanhood through the lenses of history and science.

This exploration of identity is often mirrored by a deep rooting in the environment — whether through stunningly detailed underground worlds inspired by Pacific Northwest myths, the quiet details of a Monet-inspired landscape, or ceramic forms calling for ocean conservation, nature remains a constant muse. Ultimately, many of these creators describe their process as a way to “make sense of the world,” focusing on the space between the physical and the spiritual while using art as a vessel for faith, vulnerability, and the universal journey of resilience.

Open Show All-Stars returns for its 3rd year! All-Stars showcases the work of past Open Show award winners, giving them an exclusive venue to share their most creative, visionary, and unique offerings. You can find this star-studded collection in the main hallway of Lakewood Center.