Art Reach displaying Honors student’s nature paintings this month
Katie Chichester believes there is more to an image than the eyes can capture.
Art Reach On Broadway, 111 E. Broadway St., is sponsoring a display exclusively of Chichester’s artwork until March 26.
The display, titled “Looking Out My Window: the nature paintings of Katie K. Chichester,” started Tuesday and focuses on a wildlife theme.
Art Reach on Broadway also will sponsor an artist reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, free to the public.
“I paint a lot of domestic and wild life, I enjoy painting nature,” said Chichester, a Clare senior. “You can really see my artistic style in the art work. There’s a heavy amount of color, I’m not just aiming for photographic representation.”
Chichester is an Honors student, and the art is the work of her senior project. Her painting, “On the Wind,” displays a solitary red fox looking out across a hay field.
“A sure sign of spring” shows a pair of geese back-dropped by a placid lake scene.
“We’re thrilled that she is interested in exhibiting her work. We’re expecting a healthy crowd at her reception,” said Kathy Hill, Art Reach director. “We’re excited to be able to do this.”
Chichester started painting and drawing while growing upon a farm in Clare County. That inspired her to delve into the representation of nature and plant life in her paintings.
She became more serious about her artistic pursuits in high school.
“I wanted to go to a reputable school for art, that’s why I chose Central. (The art department) is small enough that you can build lasting relationships with the faculty,” Chichester said. “They know you on a personal basis. Some of the faculty are really my friends now.”
Chichester is double majoring in Art with a Two-Dimensional concentration and Interpersonal Communication. She has worked for the honors program department since her freshman year.
Judy Idema, associate director of the Honors Program, said Chichester is a stand-out student and artist.
“I think Katie will be known throughout the state of Michigan for her artwork, if not nationally,” Idema said. “Everyone is really impressed with the quality of her artwork.”
