Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/1439376
JANUARY / FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022 11 Self-expression can come in various forms. For Seattle artist Morgan Smalley, her "Chasm" collection draws inspiration from her identity as well as imagery relating to "deep earth." "Painting has been my greatest adventure," Morgan says. As a full- time abstract visual artist specializing in mountain- and sound-inspired paintings, Morgan utilizes a variety of paint mediums. She has been painting for 30 years and has "always loved exploring and experimenting as a self- taught artist," she says. Morgan began painting "Chasm" before it had a name. "One of my collectors showed a photo of a piece he later purchased to his five-year-old son and asked him what he saw, to which his son responded: 'Deep Earth.'" Fascinated by the idea, Morgan decided to name her collection to honor it, and each piece within the set is named aer rocks and minerals, such as kyanite and magnetite. Morgan's internal workings and the world around her further influence her work, she says, noting that "Chasm's" fluid, dynamic motifs serve as a nod to her Native American roots and free- flowing connectedness to nature, while bold starkly contrasting gold accents represent her upbringing and Italian heritage. "is is the way I discover myself," she says of her art. "e beautiful conundrum I am proud to be." "Chasm" will be on display in the Grand Staircase Gallery beginning in January. E M M A M O R E M first take grand staircase gallery / morris trophy A devotion to 'deep Earth' Artist Morgan Smalley's 'Chasm' on display in Grand Staircase Gallery Aer last year's virtual presentation, the Pac-12's top two linemen will be honored in person at the 42nd annual Morris Trophy awards luncheon, set for ursday, January 20, in the Crystal Ballroom. e Morris Trophy is presented annually at the WAC to the best offensive and defensive linemen in the Pac-12. Last year, the University of Southern California's Alijah Vera-Tucker and the University of Oregon's Kayvon ibodeaux received the trophy. Vera- Tucker went on to be chosen by the New York Jets 14th overall in the 2021 NFL dra and has emerged as a star on the Jets' offensive line. ibodeaux returned to Oregon for his junior year and is a favorite to repeat as defensive winner of the Morris Trophy. He is projected to be one of the top three picks in the 2022 dra. Morris Trophy winners typically attend the awards ceremony, which also draws former football stars from around the Pacific Northwest. Reserve your seats online at wac.net/morris- trophy. Morris Trophy awards 42nd year of honoring the Pac-12s best linemen Club dues The WAC Board of Governors approved a dues increase for all member classifications of approximately 5 percent, effective January 1, 2022. This is the first dues increase since August 2019. Member dues are the primary revenue source for the Club, and keeping dues current and competitive is critical to ongoing Club operations and improvements.