June 8th – September 29th
Z. Vanessa Helder (1904-1968) was one of the most widely recognized Northwest artists of her time. This exhibition will be centered around a series of twenty-eight precisionist watercolors that she created documenting the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam between 1939-41. Part of this series was included in the landmark exhibition “Realists and Magic Realists” at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1943. During this time, Helder was on staff at the Spokane Arts Center under the sponsorship of the Washington State W.P.A. Works by her close friend and fellow instructor, Robert O. Engard (1915-2003) will also be featured along with other Spokane artists Jane Baldwin (1908-1991) and Herman Keys (1906-1994).
Image Credits:
- Z. Vanessa Helder (1904-1968), Coulee Dam, Looking West, 1940. Watercolor. Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2585.3.
- Vanessa Helder, circa 1940. Courtesy of John Helder.
Hilltop House
Z. Vanessa Helder (1904-1968). 1940. Watercolor. Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2585.5.
Winter Stubble
Robert O. Engard (1915-2003). circa 1938-1942. Watercolor. Courtesy of Randy and Maureen Michaelis.
Untitled
Jane Baldwin (1908-1991). circa 1940. Gouache on paper. Collection of Lindsey and Carolyn Echelbarger.
Sand and Gravel Works
Z. Vanessa Helder (1904-1968). circa 1939-1941. Watercolor. Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, 2585.19.