Stuart Halsan, who donated the etchings, details the life of Roi Partridge, a Centralia native and internationally known artist.
The detailed, intricate etchings are best viewed up close at Centralia College Tuesday.
Centralia College held a dedication Tuesday for six Roi Partridge etchings, placing them in the college’s permanent art collection.
The etchings, donated by Stuart and Kathy Halsan, symbolize the college’s pledge to expand the on-campus art collection, stated a press release.
“This was a historic event for Centralia College,” Robert Frost, the college’s president, said. “To contribute to the permanent public beauty and intellectual thought of our college community is an act that deeply resonates with our humanity.
Stuart Halsan, a trustee for the Centralia College Board of Directors, spoke at the dedication Tuesday, depicting the life of Partridge, who was born in Centralia in 1888. The artist went onto international fame, and his etchings were honored with numerous awards. His artwork is represented in several collections, including the British Museum, the Brooklyn Museum, the University of California and the New York Public Library.
Meg Partridge, a granddaughter of the artist, said Roi would have been proud to be honored and recognized as an artist from Centralia.
“We may live in a town of 11,000 people, but Roi Partridge proves you can do anything you want,” Halsan said. “If you have drive, determination and passion, you can accomplish anything. That’s a powerful lesson for the students at Centralia College.”
Alex Solomon, an assistant art professor at the college, said Partridge was a printmaker whose primary medium was copper-plate etchings.
“Patridge was an adept draftsman who seemed especially fascinated by rural landscapes,” he said. “His ability to describe the scenery around him with fine lines is truly impressive.”
The Partridge etchings in Centralia College’s permanent collection are titled “The Unused Road,” “Willows in the West,” “Aspenland,” “Mountain Valley,” “Snowfields” and “Shuksan.” The pieces are on display in the Kirk Library.
