CURRENT EXHIBIT

Injected Joy
An Exhibit of Artwork by Kristy Peet
August 19 - October 11, 2024


ARTIST'S STATEMENT

I recently saw a headline reading, “‘Woke’ people more likely to be unhappy, anxious and depressed, new study suggests.” Later, I saw the same headline made into a bunch of memes that boiled down to “educated people have more informed concerns!” Woke or not, It’s hard to live nowadays and not be affected by the state of society. Sometimes, it really feels like it is crumbling: women’s reproductive rights are being taken away, trans people’s lives are under attack, wanna-be dictators on the ballot, and the list goes on.   

This series of photographs is a response, albeit a tongue-in-cheek response, to the depression and angst that comes from bearing witness. I like toying with the idea of enforced joy. Sometimes, joy does not come naturally. What if it could be medically injected or ingested or just forced inside? I also really love using glitter and sugar in work, which at its core, is about sadness.   

This work was created at the Jentel Artist Residency Program. Jentel is located in a rural setting on a working cattle ranch in the Lower Piney Creek Valley, approximately 20 miles southeast of Sheridan, Wyoming. Kristy was among the award recipients focusing on their own creative projects at this working retreat for artists and writers. A panel of arts and literary professionals review samples of artwork and manuscripts before making final recommendations for residency awards.   

During the three-week-long residency, Jentel provides communal spaces designated for research, recreation, food preparation, and dining. Each artist and writer is offered a private, comfortably furnished accommodation and a light, airy workspace. Each resident receives a stipend to help defray living expenses during the program. Here, artists and writers experience unfettered time to allow for thoughtful reflection and meditation on the creative process in a setting that preserves the agricultural and historical integrity of the land.   

The Jentel Artist Residency Program offers a spectacularly beautiful place to peacefully work and achieve personal artistic goals in a remarkable environment. The program residents enjoy interaction with peers and the extended community. For any artist in whatever media, protected time from the day-to-day necessities of living to examine and reflect upon work and the creative process is essential as a catalyst for artistic development. For more information, navigate to jentelarts.org. 

EXHIBITION PROPOSALS

The Office Space Art Gallery currently holds professional art exhibitions on a semiannual basis at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters.

Student exhibits are open to Western Texas College students and regional high schools.  These exhibits are held semiannually during the second half of the fall and spring semesters.

For more information, please contact: 

Patrick Schneider
Assistant Professor, Art
Building 19, Room 102
325-574-7661
patrick.schneider@wtc.edu