"Tom Dimond, A Retrospective" opens in Nightingale Oct. 5

Exhibit will feature signature works in ceramics, glass and mixed media spanning some 40 years that will give viewers an insight into Dimond's journey and his development as an artist.

Cory Peeke | Director, Nightingale Gallery | (541) 962-3584 | cpeeke@eou.edu

21 September 2007

LA GRANDE, Ore. (EOU) - Eastern Oregon University is pleased to present a retrospective exhibition highlighting the creative work of one of eastern Oregon's best known and loved local talents, Tom Dimond.

An opening reception honoring the artist will be held on Friday, Oct. 5 from 6-8 p.m. in Nightingale Gallery. The exhibition will run through Oct. 26. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Opening receptions for all future gallery exhibitions will take place on Friday from 6-8 p.m., rather than Saturday.

The exhibit represents Dimond's full career as an artist, which spans a period from 1962 to the present. During the past 45 years, his art has exhibited a common thread that began in his days as a young artist. Specific forms, an interest in texture, luminosity, transparency and subtle coloration are present in some way throughout his body of work.

Dimond's close association with the elements of nature - earth, sky, fire and water - have influenced him greatly. These influences remain constant companions on his journey into the collective unconscious and exhibit themselves in the art that has come about while on that journey.

As the artist himself states, "My journey has been a strange one and at times more difficult than I care to recount, but it has been a most rewarding journey. And, as is so often said of many journeys...'It ain't over yet!'"

This exhibit will feature signature works in ceramics, glass and mixed media spanning some 40 years that will give viewers an insight into Dimond's journey and his development as an artist.

Dimond, professor emeritus of art at EOU, spent 32 years teaching Eastern students everything from ceramics and glass to design and jewelry. Dimond completed his undergraduate work in art at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater working with respected ceramic artists such as Clayton Bailey and Peter Voulkos. He went on to earn his master of fine arts degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.

At SIU Dimond worked closely with notable ceramicists Nicolas Vergette and Bill Boysen. Dimond was instrumental in assisting Boysen in beginning the first art glass program at SIU and was the first SIU grad to feature glass work in his MFA exhibit. After graduate school Dimond went on to work at the University of Chicago, Circle Campus as Director of the Art Workshops, then Whitman College in Walla Walla as an instructor of art and later came to EOU in 1972.

Soon after arriving Dimond convinced his colleagues to allow him to start a glass studio in the basement of Inlow Hall. Dimond's glass program ran from 1972 to 1991 and he has had a profound influence on many EOU students over the years.

Since his retirement in 2004 he has maintained an active studio practice and continues both his creative endeavors and sharing his knowledge at his hot glass studio in Cove. He welcomes visitors to his studio/gallery where he can often be found blowing glass with his former student Kevin Boylan, a talented artist in his own right. Dimond lives in Cove with his wife Barb.

"The Nightingale Gallery is very pleased to be able to curate and present, "Tom Dimond, A Retrospective," to honor the devoted artist and educator who has demonstrated such love and commitment to his art, his students, the university and the community," said Cory Peeke, director of Nightingale Gallery and assistant professor of art at EOU.

For further information about the exhibition call (541) 962-3667 or visit www.eou.edu/art/nightingale/exhibitions0708/GallerySchedule2007-08.html.

To request images of artwork for publication contact Cory Peeke at cpeeke@eou.edu. To arrange an interview with the artist please contact him directly at (541) 786-1222.

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