Exhibitions – Larson gallery

Exhibitions 2024-2025

75th Anniversary Exhibition: Cultivating a Love of Art

September 14 – October 26, 2024

In 1934, when the A.E. Larson Estate bequeathed Rosedell mansion and $100,000 to establish a public museum and gallery, his family envisioned what might one day become a “miniature Maryhill Museum” for Yakima. Seventy-five years since the Larson Museum and Gallery opened on the Yakima Valley Junior College campus in 1949, its purpose has expanded well beyond offering access to fine arts not otherwise available in a rural agricultural community.

Larson Gallery’s 75th anniversary exhibition tells the story of the gallery’s evolving role in the visual arts and creative lives of Yakima Valley residents through selections from its permanent collection, archival resources, and stunning loans displayed during the inaugural 1949-1950 season.
Featured Artwork: 2nd Landscape by Polly Speidel

Opening Reception: Sat. September. 14, 2024, 3 – 5 PM

69th Annual Central Washington Artists’ Exhibition

November 9 – December 7, 2024

Larson Gallery’s annual Central Washington Artists’ Exhibition is one of the longest running juried art exhibitions in the Pacific Northwest. This highly competitive exhibition features current artworks by artists living in ten Central Washington counties. The 2024 69th annual CWAE will present at least $3,000 in cash and purchase awards. The juror is Kayla Tackett, the Director of Exhibitions and Collections at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (“the MAC”) in Spokane, WA.
Featured Artwork: Palouse November, by Gayle Scholl

CWAE 2024 JUROR

CWAE BACKGROUND

Opening Reception: Sat. November 9, 2024, 3 – 5 PM

2024 Award Winners

James Legatt – “Quilt Square”, Best of Show sponsored by Banner Bank
Gayle Scholl – “Palouse November”, Larson Gallery Guild Purchase Award
James Legatt – “Woven”, YVC President’s Award sponsored by Dr. Teresa Rich
Maja Shaw – “Buck Bay View”, Director’s Choice sponsored by Christian & Janet Schlect
Gary Miller – “Timeless”, “It Can Hang on my Wall Any Day” Award sponsored by Jeffrey Reynolds
Deborah Ann – “Wandering Water”, Jeffrey Schaap & Gilbert Young Award
Michael Goreman – “Invasion of a Twisted Perspective”, Karen Raine Memorial Award sponsored by Rob & Michelle Wyles
Janice Baker – “Our Letters”, Lillian and Muriel Adams Memorial Award sponsored by Leo Adams
Cheryl Hahn – “Awe 2”, Honorable Mention
Carolyn Nelson – “Ghost Feathers and Other Dubious Memories”, Honorable Mention
Randal Leek – “Swing Dance”, Honorable Mention

Inspired: The Art of Poetry

January 11 – February 22, 2025

“Inspired” is a collaboration between Central Washington poets and artists, produced by members of the Yakima Valley Artists Association and Yakima Coffee House Poets, and hosted by Larson Gallery. This juried exhibition will feature 25 poems accompanied by multiple artistic interpretations spanning various mediums such as painting, fiber art, collage, photography, sculpture, woodwork, and more. The exhibition’s visual art juror is Kirkland Art Center Director and former Larson Gallery Director (2012-2023) David Lynx.

For more information, please visit Yakima Valley Artists Association online. A copy of the inspirational poems can be downloaded here.

Opening Reception: Sat. January 11, 2025, 3 – 5 PM

Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross

March 8 - April 19, 2025

Considered one of the greatest artists in the field of comic books, Alex Ross has created some of the most iconic images known to fans today. For nearly 30 years, he has revitalized classic superheroes into works of fine art by illustrating characters including Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, the Avengers, Storm, Black Panther, Wonder Woman, and many more.

The exhibition features sculpted figures, an in-depth video interview, and over 50 framed original illustrations by Alex Ross, including covers of Marvelocity, preliminary sketches, and childhood drawings.

Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross is a touring exhibit from the Dunn Museum of Libertyville, Illinois.

Opening Reception: Sat. March 8, 2025, 3 – 5 PM

Yakima Valley College DoVA Student Exhibition

May 6 – May 31, 2025

This annual exhibit presents the artwork created within the last year by Department of Visual Art (DoVA) students. Student work will be chosen from Spring and Fall quarters of 2024 and Winter quarter of 2025 at Yakima Valley College. Classes include ceramics, painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, and design. A large selection of the students’ best work makes this one of the favorite exhibitions of the year and a wonderful opportunity to purchase art. In addition to the student artwork, each instructor shows the creativity of their own personal work.

Opening Reception: Tues., May 6, 2025, 5 – 7 PM

Larson Gallery Guild Members' Exhibition

June 14 – July 12, 2025

This annual non-juried exhibition highlights the creativity and artistic talents of Larson Gallery Guild Members. As one of the many benefits of membership, guild members may enter one piece of recently created artwork.

Opening Reception: Sat., June 14, 2025, 3 – 5 PM

Cheryl Hahn: Good Speech

July 26 - August 30, 2025

Cheryl Hahn’s language-based Good Speech Series seeks to heal the wounds of ubiquitous bad speech that pervades our society today. This thought-provoking exhibition features paintings, drawings, and interactive installations that motivate “good speech” and promote understanding.

Opening Reception: Sat., July 26, 2025, 3 – 5 PM