The Helen S. Smith Gallery presents: Like Mother September 25 - November 1 Artist Talk and Closing Reception: Wednesday, November 1, noon LIKE MOTHER refers to the phrase "like mother, like daughter". This group show of (primarily) multi-cultural women artists pays tribute to our moms. [https://mcusercontent.com/bed55a729f7ad04edae6347fc/_compresseds/866b1797-b158-9272-cf2d-0711d9a4c7cf.jpg]Artists: Deborah Ann Carolyn Autenrieth Diem Chau James Cheng Marilyn Charlat Dix Margaret Chodos Irvine Mary Coss Marita Dingus Maura Donegan Cathy Fields David Francis Malayka Gormally Troy Gua Liza Halvorsen Dionne Haroutounian Lauren Iida Steve Jensen Iskra Johnson Deborah Faye Lawrence L. Kelly Lyles Rozarii Lynch Carol Milne Saya Moriyasu Lisa Myers Bulmash Jane Orleman Pohlman Knowles Joan Stuart Ross Blanca Santander June Sekiguchi Rachel Solimeno Elana Winsberg Suze Woolf Above: Lauren Iida, Nourish/Devour, Hand-cut paper, India Ink, 22 x 13 inches, 2017 ​ Visit the exhibition in person at the Helen S. Smith Gallery <https://www.greenriver.edu/community/art-gallery/> [https://mcusercontent.com/bed55a729f7ad04edae6347fc/images/3f6f33c6-9d75-30ef-a02d-e81dc6e0029f.jpg] Image above: Like mother installation view featuring L. Kelly Lyles, Like Mother (Like Daughter) Acrylic on vintage wood screen, 5 x 6 x 2 feet The impetus for LIKE MOTHER was learning that my own need to make work after my mother's death is a shared one. Many of my friends were losing their moms, too, and wanted to “work out” emotions around their passing. These are artists whom I admire with stories to tell. Some of their mothers were pilots, actresses, dancers, scientists, world-travelers, etc., in addition to being home makers. These wonderful women should live on for our (artists and our families) benefit, but more importantly when strangers see LIKE MOTHER, hopefully they'll reflect on their own parental heritage; their stories, struggles and triumphs. We question ourselves: “What are the stories people will tell about us someday?” LIKE MOTHER is a reminder to engage with all people: our culture is so NOW focused, the exhibit takes time to delve into the past and help us re-contextualize the present. I need to take this lesson to heart myself, fearing the ageism of the art world as I am in my 60’s… My mother was a debutante, model, actress, socialite, world traveler, and a "hostess with the mostest" entertaining everyone from RAF pilots to royalty. Beverlie Lyles was larger-than-life to her family, her community, and beyond (the gentlemanly Spanish hospice director who spent weeks assisting her passage, knew of her history and therefore told me that it was an honor to be her caregiver). But as her daughter, it wasn’t until she passed away and I found myself researching her obituary that I realized what a truly extraordinary woman she was! My mother and father met in Germany, he was a tank captain and she worked entertaining the troops. Surrounded by all those young enlisted men mom had lots of proposals (a co-worker and friend in Special Services became the target of a grenade attack by one spurned suitor). One of Bev's criteria for marriage included a willingness to live abroad, so my father became an executive director for 3M company’s international division. As a family we moved around the world (mom attended Queen Elizabeth's coronation, I won my first art contest on the ocean liner the Queen Elizabeth. OK, maybe that analogy's a stretch...). The women in my family passed down a love of travel, socializing, volunteerism, and style (which I embody into my art as well as wardrobe, and even my EXCESSORIES ODD-YSSEY artcar's devoted to fashion). “Like mother, Like daughter”. ​ The Helen S. Smith Gallery on Green River College’s main campus was named in honor of the college Foundation’s first President. In addition to being one of the college’s founding members, she was known as a strong advocate for the arts in the community. The Helen S. Smith Gallery is an academic resource for the Green River campus and regional art community. Now 50 years and counting, the gallery continues to carry on her legacy as an academic resource to Green River College by presenting compelling and innovative exhibitions featuring emerging and established Northwest Artists throughout the year. The gallery also highlights works by Green River student artists twice annually. Helen S. Smith Gallery, Green River College<https://www.greenriver.edu/community/art-gallery/> Sarah Dillon, Gallery Director: sdillon@greenriver.edu<mailto:sdillon@greenriver.edu> 12401 SE 320th St., Auburn, WA 98092