2020 Competition and Exhibition: Tension /Harmony

The 37th Annual Art About Agriculture Competition and Exhibition returns to the much-loved open call, juried format.

This year’s theme invited artists to consider our agricultural future, exploring the relationship between the conservation of natural resources and agricultural production. What will tomorrow’s food and fiber look like when we place equal weight on conservation and use? How might farming, fishing, fibers, fashion, and food culture change in the Pacific Northwest? How might communities and connectedness change as we better understand food insecurity and market access? What would cutting-edge research, technology, and innovation look like in the march towards finding a balanced future?  Artists were provided research papers and news articles pertaining to Oregon State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences’ efforts to tackle these important questions. 

The open call received 208 outstanding art submissions by 65 incredible artists. Of the 208 submissions, the jury chose 45 artworks from 34 artists. Artists responded in a multitude of mediums, including painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, sculpture, fiber art, and ceramic. 

Oregon is unmatched in the density of its diverse agricultural, environmental, and social landscape. As the founding college of the state’s land-grant university dedicated to serving all Oregonians, the College of Agricultural Sciences stands at the confluence of diverse perspectives. As champions of science, we embrace differences to find common ground and create opportunity – committed each day to make tomorrow better.