Written by: Claire Phillips | Entertainment Editor

At the beginning of October, nine different artists from the Salem area showcased their pieces in the Cannon Gallery in Western’s Campbell Hall. The exhibit’s works of art used media such as paint, embroidery, clay and even coins and plastic figurines. 

The exhibit was titled “The Red Thread” — referring to the connection between the diverse group of artists. Inspired by a Chinese proverb, the red thread is said to connect people who are destined to meet. Following such, a literal red thread was hung throughout the Cannon Art Gallery.

Many of these artists collaborated, but each of their pieces displayed their unique personalities. Two artists, Susan Napeck and Jessica Ramey, had a similar theme to their art — returning to childhood. 

Napeck decided to embroider over the nostalgic drawings by their six-year-old self, depicting themself, their family and their home at the time. 

Ramey created a wondrous fortune-teller out of wood and clay, so anyone could come and find something out about themselves. 

Napeck discussed the connection between them and their art. Napeck’s inspiration came from the idea of “…letting go of old things and making new things with them,” Napeck said. 

Though the piece was sentimental, Napeck said they were alright with letting it go: “…once you make it into art, sometimes it’s easier to let go… once you’re done with it… you can let it fly.”

The fortune teller piece, titled “Elemental Fortune” and embellished with fake eyeballs and bright colors, drew many people in. Ramey had a different approach with their interactive sculpture. Though it was a fortune teller focused on reading personalities, they wanted to make sure it was unlike typical zodiac tropes. 

“The idea is just playfulness, and as adults, we kind of lose that a little bit,” Ramey said. 

The nine artists that showcased their work in the Cannon Art Gallery were part of a collective group from the Willamette Heritage Center. 

Both Napek and Ramey shared their thoughts on working alongside the other artists. “We all do very different things, but are equally curious,” Ramey said. 

In response to comparing their colleagues’ art with their own, Napek said: “as an artist, you try to give back to that facility without being self-conscious.” The idea of the red thread was present in both the profound words and work of the artists.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu