Nan Curtis Brings Sculptural Arts to Archer Gallery
Artist-in-residence installs artwork and teaches students her artistic process
Pictured: Nan Curtis stands with Archer Gallery visitors next to her “Mother Rock” sculpture.
Clark College students joined artist-in-residence NAN CURTIS in early March for her installation of The Other Side of Yesterday, a collection of interactive 3D artwork. The exhibit displays a variety of works, ranging from sculptures covered in live moss to a large, vivid rock sculpture. In addition to her exhibition, Nan hosted a workshop during a Clark sculpture class to showcase her creative process.
The Creative Journey
Nan Curtis has a background in welding as a professor at Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, Oregon. In her earlier years as an artist, she was often discouraged from creating “personal” art. Now, her art has evolved to be more personal than ever. This installation has a strong emphasis on grief and mourning. In some ways, themes of mourning in her artwork are influenced by her job as a death doula.
Nan shared that she installs all her own artwork. Part of the perception of her art is how the elements are arranged. The eye-catcher of the gallery is, of course, the vivid, yellow rock in the center called “Mother Rock.” It is carved from Styrofoam and covered in a thin, velvety texture, which is achieved through a technique called “flocking.”
Tactile Art and Interactive Installations
Pictured right: A ceramics student sweeps up broken pieces of a mug they threw on the ground.
When walking into the gallery, the atmosphere may be quiet and peaceful—or you could be greeted by a loud crash of ceramics shattering. The right corner of the gallery has an additional wall built in, hiding a pile of shattered mugs. Gallery staff can provide anyone with a mug per request, so you can break your own piece to add to the pile. Don’t forget to wear safety goggles and sweep up the shards into their designated area! The loud noises create a unique, shocking sensation that echoes through the otherwise silent room.
Nan's other artwork has a variety of unconventional materials or textures. “You are encouraged to touch my show,” she said—whether it’s the velvety surface of “Mother Rock,” or the soft moss suspended from the ceiling. Even the moss on her sculptures is real and requires maintenance, but it creates a texture that is difficult to achieve with other mediums.
Technique and Demonstration
Along with exhibitions at the Archer Gallery, resident artists participate in workshops on campus relating to their medium. This time, as a sculptural artist, Nan joined the 3D Art and Design class.
During the first demonstration, Nan joined Professor Colin Kippen in creating plaster casts. Students mixed up their own plaster in buckets and poured it into balloons to mold as the formula hardened (pictured left).
A week later, Nan returned to showcase the flocking technique she used for multiple artworks in her exhibition. She explained the process of applying adhesive to her sculptures, then applying flecks of rayon using a flocking gun (pictured below).
Community in Creation
When speaking to sculpture students on campus, Nan emphasized the importance of having a creative circle. Artists often have a stereotype that seclusion is essential to creating impactful artwork. While this can be true for some, she shared that she finds much inspiration from her peers. Supporting her friends and showing up to gallery exhibitions encourages everyone to keep creating.
One way Nan encourages community participation is by integrating free food as part of her events. For The Other Side of Yesterday, Curtis collaborated with the Clark College culinary students to prepare food inspired by her artwork.
During their first meeting, students and community members gathered around warm lentil soup and freshly baked bread in the Archer Gallery. These events, called Nosh with Nan, foster weekly conversations about artwork that will continue until the beginning of May.
Join Nan's Community
The Archer Gallery will have Nan Curtis’ exhibition, The Other Side of Yesterday, on display until May 6, 2026. The closing reception is on May 6 from noon to 4 pm.
Nan will also be hosting Nosh with Nan at the Archer Gallery throughout the coming months. There will be topic-driven conversations with free food created by the Clark College culinary students, inspired by Curtis’ artwork. This event will be held from 11 am to 2 pm on 3/18, 4/7, 4/21, 4/28, and 5/5.
Photos: Clark College/Masha Yaremenko and Deliria Blackwood
Story by Masha Yaremenko, Digital Media Student Intern, Communications and Marketing