Exhibition illustrates value of art in Oregon schools

A walk down the ‘A’ Concourse at Portland International Airport is a real treat if you are one of those people who believe that art is an important part of the curricula in Oregon schools.

The walls of the wing that houses Northwest-based Horizon airlines contain an impressive array of drawings, paintings and other forms of artwork created by students at high schools and middle schools from around the state.

The exhibit is divided into six geographic regions – the Portland metropolitan area, the Willamette Valley, the Columbia Gorge, Southern Oregon, Central Oregon and Eastern Oregon. The quality, diversity and imagination represented in this collection is truly remarkable.

The exhibit has been on display for many months and has wowed thousands of travelers from around the world.

We always make it a point to take time when we are in the airport to stop and enjoy the show, known as, “Where We Live – Art in Oregon Schools.” Naturally we are always on the lookout for contributions from Eastern Oregon, which currently include some amazing entries from high schools in La Grande, Union and Ontario. However, in a half a dozen trips through the airport since last summer, we have yet to see artwork from Enterprise Joseph or Wallowa. This is surprising … and a little disappointing. We hope this is a case of bad timing on our part rather than failure of Wallowa County schools to participate in this worthy project. It only makes sense that as a leading fine arts community Wallowa County ought to be well represented.

In any event, ‘Where We Live’ is a shining testament to the value of art programs in Oregon’s schools. Unfortunately, art and music are the programs that are the first ones to be cut when finances get tight. That is why it is good to see the Enterprise Education Foundation, Wallowa Valley Arts Council, Fishtrap and others working so diligently to make sure kids continue to receive instruction in these areas. R.S.