Exhibit offers "A New View" of beloved instructor
An exhibition of unseen paintings by Chris Van Winkle is currently on display in the Citrus College Art Gallery through Thursday, Nov. 17. Mr. Van Winkle is a former Citrus College visual arts instructor who passed away in 2016.
"A New View" highlights four distinct collections from the artist's portfolio: Studio Paintings, the California Scene, Painting Trips and the Fun Zone. All paintings are available for purchase, and proceeds will benefit the Chris Van Winkle Memorial Scholarship managed by the Citrus College Foundation. Additional unframed paintings will be available for purchase on select weekends, including Nov. 2, 3, 16 and 17.
"Chris was an extremely talented artist. He loved Citrus College and was committed to inspiring the next generation of painters," said Dyane Duffy, visual arts instructor. "This show offers guests a mix of his signature landscapes, as well as some abstract works that hint at his more playful and innovative side. I am excited that others can now discover this unknown aspect of the artist."
Mr. Van Winkle served the Citrus College community for 30 years. In addition to teaching watercolor painting courses, he often took students on international trips to paint "en plein air." A prolific painter, he was formally trained as an oil painter at the Ontario College of Art and Design but found fame for his watercolor landscapes. Mr. Van Winkle was a signature member of the National Watercolor Society, serving as president from 2005 to 2007. His art earned him numerous awards and speaking engagements across the United States and abroad.
"We are thrilled to showcase this previously unseen body of work by Mr. Van Winkle in the Art Gallery," said John Vaughan, dean of visual and performing arts. "It is fitting to have his paintings displayed before the college community that adored him so much. I am also confident this exhibit will encourage current art students to seek inspiration in the world around them."
This article originally appeared in the November 2019 edition of the Citrus View.