CALL TO ARTISTS: Former Wishart Art Students

Gary Wishart taught and developed an excellent art program at Enterprise High School for over 25 years, from 1976-2002. His students drew, painted, threw pots and hand-built ceramics. The end of the year art show and sale was always a major event, with a roomful of art, students, parents, and community members. Exchange students with limited English regularly took his classes, and often excelled at telling their stories in paint. Students who did not fit the “normal” student profile fit in Gary’s classes–as did the wrestlers and volleyball players. To be in his classroom–as a visitor–was inspiring. 

Larry Wishart taught 23 years of elementary and middle school art for the Enterprise School District from 1975 to 1998.  His students learned the basics of drawing, painting, and creating, which gave them the perfect foundation for his brother’s high school art classes.  Larry wanted each child to have as many experiences as possible working with all kinds of different mediums.  He loved his job and the students he inspired.  In 1999, Larry and Gary shared the Education Leader of the Year Award, presented by the Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce for their many years of service to the county.  Larry passed away on June 24, 2021.

We know that many of Gary and Larry’s students went on to use their art training in many ways, and that some of you have continued to make art. As a tribute the Wishart’s, a celebration of your own links to your school and Wallowa County, and a celebration of your own art, we invite you  to join us in this unique art exhibit at the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture in Joseph (the big log building on the right as you come into town) in the summer of 2023.

If you are a former student of Enterprise High School Art Teacher Gary Wishart (1976-2002) and/or Gary’s brother, Larry Wishart, who taught elementary and junior high art, we want you! Submit current or recent artwork for consideration for the “Wishart” exhibit at the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, May 26th-July 22nd, 2023.

Opening Reception: Saturday May 27th.

Email submission to Dawn Norman at exhibits@josephy.org 

Include the following for each artwork you would like to be considered: Your name; High quality digital image/s; Medium; Date completed; and Retail Price or NFS (Not For Sale). Please use “Wishart” in the subject line.

In addition we would like to know what years you were a student of Gary Wishart, and a sentence or short paragraph about Gary (and/or Larry) and how he influenced you. 

Deadline Extended: May 8th, 2023

We need your help, please share this page with other current artists and former students of the Wisharts, we’d like to find all of you!

Thank you sponsors! Wallowa County Cultural Trust Coalition, Ronald W. Naito MD Foundation, Roundhouse Foundation, James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation and Oregon Arts Commission