On Oct. 25, SFCC debuted a new art showcase titled “3 Emerging.” The showcase featured artists Eva Silverstone, Em Jackson and Lou Lou Pink. Each of the artists was chosen because they are seen to be “emerging” or even “re-emerging” in the Spokane art scene. 

Each of these artists brings their own uniquely expressive forms and themes which speak to their perspective as an artist and as a living person.

Before the showcase debuted, a talk was given by each of the three artists detailing their history as artists and what makes them stand out. The first speaker was Marilyn Runyan, who goes by the pseudonym Em Jackson. Her featured collection is called “Classified Ads.” The collection features black and white drawings that take inspiration from ads found in 1950s magazines and newspapers, particularly men’s magazines. These advertisements spoke of “income and lots of self-improvement,” Runyan said.

She aims to take on what can be seen as an idealized portrayal of American life in the 1950s and turn it on its head through ironic catchphrases and despairing drawings. When interviewed about her exhibit pieces, Runyan said she ”doesn’t want to beat people over the head” with her messaging but hopes that people take something away from it. 

The next featured artist, Silverstone, has an undeniably unique style. Her collection “Betwixt, Between, Bedraggled” consists of sewn and knitted collages of fabric that used to be used by her and her family. It begins with a piece of fabric which can come from various places. Some fabrics include cloth made out of her son’s old clothes. She carries her pieces around with her in her purse so that she can work on her pieces at any available moment.

The final artist featured is an SFCC professor who operates under the name Lou Lou. She is a performance artist and sculptor. Her piece titled “The Art of Conditioning” is in the center of the gallery. Pink stood on a pedestal and jumped rope while facing a wall with the phrase “101 things to learn in art school.” Pink will be featuring a piece in front of the Whitehouse very soon.

Tom O’Day, the art gallery’s director, attended the showcase’s debut.

“They’re not really emerging,” O’Day said of the artists. “They’ve been making art for a long time, but we’re all emerging.”