Local artists illustrate `Northwest Mystique' 
By ANNIE CHARNLEY EVELAND Of the Union-Bulletin 
Walla Walla Union Bulletin Tuesday May 1, 2001

  Works by four Inland Northwest artists were selected, including John Knapp of Walla Walla and Carley Rae Hippauf of College Place, both NPS members. The other artists are Pat Koster of Pullman and Mark Thompson of Pendleton. 

   With the acceptance of their work for the show, Knapp and Hippauf now qualify for signature status in the international pastel society.    Fifty-four pastel paintings were chosen from the 295 entries submitted.   

 ``In general, people are starting to see what we have here,'' through the artists' works, John Knapp's wife, Lynn Small Knapp, said. ``It is exciting when you think only four people east of the mountains have signature status. And the art is another exciting focus for tourism.''  

  An art society confers signature status only on a select few, granting the artists the right to include the initials of the society with their signature on paintings.    This is the first such honor granted Walla Walla Valley oil or pastel artists. The Knapps said prior to this show, only two Eastern Washington artists held the signature certification, Koster of Pullman and Donna Arntzen of Richland.  

  The recipient of Walla Walla Fair and regional show awards, Hippauf is currently first vice president of the Young at Art League of Walla Walla, an oil and pastel society.    Three shows qualified her for NPS signature status _ the Eugene NPS Members' Show and the 14th and 15th annual open international exhibitions.   

 Since 1997, Knapp has served on the Northwest Pastel Society Board as its webmaster and since 1994 has served as executive director of the Young at Art League of Walla Walla. His paintings have appeared at Fenton-Stahl Gallery. He qualified for NPS signature status through acceptance into three NPS shows.

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