Closing the ‘loop’: New art for Clark College branch campus

The $30 million Clark College at Columbia Tech Center campus in east Vancouver opened in September, and fast grew popular with students. But the shiny, four-story classroom building lacked a certain flourish, until now.

This week, Seattle artist Ann Gardner, in photo at right, and her crew are carefully installing her large glass sculpture, “Loop,” near the center’s main entry. The piece comprises the state-funded, public art element of the new facility.

At top, Gardner directs, from left, Sophie Gardner, Ed Koury and Lisa Downey during an early phase of work Wednesday.

Gardner has crafted dozens of glass works placed in public buildings across the United States and beyond. Her art has been widely exhibited in the Pacific Northwest. (See http://www.anngardner.net/bio.html.)

In May, the college unveiled a bronze-and-stainless steel sculpture by noted Ridgefield artist and part-time Clark instructor Beth Heron. Her piece outside Gaiser Hall, “Scend,” holds the school’s new 25-year time capsule.

Other Heron works on display locally include a “Water Forms” fountain on Officers Row in the Fort Vancouver National Site and “Winged Women,” which stands in a downtown Vancouver sculpture park.

Heron will be among artists featured on the weekly “Oregon Art Beat” show at 8 tonight on Oregon Public Broadcasting.

Story by Howard Buck v Photos by Zachary Kaufman