9
photo of artist by Lincfa Barnett and other photos by Ahmed Alrfiarai
f
lì:
K
I
r
p
fi'
r
ARTIST PAINTS HARMONY
BY LINDA BARNETT
Featured on the walls o f the Harmony
campus of Clackamas Community College
The artwork |s by Kelila Henkin, an
u p -an d -co m in g Portland artist who
serves on the Cultural Arts Committee.
She’ s also a CCC student and founder
and administrator of the CCC Student
Art Club.
"Existence” is a series of acrylic and *
ceramic multimedia w ork..;
“ Each piece of my art goes on an ever-
changing colorful journey with the use
of found objects and built up layers of
texture,” said Henkin. “ My bright use
of color is a reflection on my soul and
personality. The found objects all have
a special trip that they made to finally
receive homage on my work.”
Henkin, who moved from California
seven years ago, also has an internship at
the CCC marketing department. She said'
4 Clackamas Print HAY 3,2017 theclackamasprint.com
she loves the college and being a partof
the Portland art community.
“ My goal is to be an art educator at
a to llege le v e l,” said H enkin. “ The
in tern sh ip through the m arketing
department at CCC has proved me with
a great chance to
m ZngToX ^s
to showcase the art programs called the
CCC Arts Festival. It will take place on
June 8.
Henkin said that she has been impacted
by art and believes in giving back. She has
been assisting instructor Dave Andersen
in his painting and
drawing classes to
help other students
own their skill.
! A c c o r d in g
to
H enkin, the art is
her story.
“ It’ s what I call
the Crane Story,”
said Henkin. “ The
truth really is, I’m lucky I was put where
I am. I was handed a solid foundation w ith,
creativity and people to influence m e.”
Nesreen Altawil, a student through thè
high school connect program, shared how
she was impacted by thè artist and her
“ M ybrightuseolcolor
a r e a n d creating
so m è th in g w ith
the help of other
artists.”
H e n k in
c a lls
- h K
e r s e e lila
lf a Henkin
fir m
believer in arts ahd
said, “ I am working to get more visual
art on campus.”
One way is through an upcoming event.
The Student Art Club is pairing up
w ith the Theater Arts Club and music
department to create all-inclusive event
is a reflection on m y soul
and personality.”
artwork.
“ I found her to be a beautiful human
being,” said Altawil. “ I like that the art
is not perfect or neat. I also like how
she used old photographs and how the
octopus tentacles are holding onto those
photographs as a reminder to never let go
of memories.”
Henkin stated that her art took her on
a journey.
“ I had to learn to fail,” said Henkin. “ I
had to learn it was okay to make a mess
and to let go of myfear of failure. Failure’s
not an ending, it’s just part of the process
on the journey. In art, it’s a great lesson
I was grateful to learn.”
CCC staff are also enjoying the art
exhibit, “ Existence.”
Student services representative Vickie
Zirkle said, “ The show is very Creative,
visually interesting and pleasant. It
appears fo be very successful.”