Published: November 05, 2009 08:28 pm         

Valley artist participates in ‘Exceeding Expectations’ show

COLUMBUS, IN — The School of Fine Arts & Design at Ivy Tech Community College-Columbus has produced “Exceeding Expectations,” an art exhibition in which the works of 25 of its alumni are featured in 52 pieces of art.

The pieces are hung in hallways and meeting spaces throughout the Columbus Learning Center, 4555 Central Ave., in Columbus; the exhibit will remain until Dec. 31.

The pieces represent alumni dating from 1974 who now serve as well known commercial, portrait and news photographers, graphic designers, administrators, owners of advertising and multimedia agencies, designers of furniture and fabric lines, catalog and magazine illustrators, and web/interactive designers.

They are also teachers, professors and gallery artists.

A variety of types of art is displayed, including photography, graphic design, Web site design, oil landscapes, furniture and pop-art graphics.

Wabash Valley artist Ron Riggan was invited to participate, and selected to be showcased, in the show, which was drawn from 35 years of students.

A native Hoosier and award-winning artist, Riggan has lived in the Wabash Valley for the past eight years.

His early study was at Herron School of Art, then Ivy Tech Columbus for degrees in photography and graphic design.

Riggan previously worked as a staff photographer for Public Service Indiana, and has designed pencils, notebooks, greeting cards, books and Web sites, as well as clip art.

Although involved in artistic pursuit throughout his life, he has supported his family exclusively with his art for the past 14 years as a photographer/illustrator/graphic designer/artist. His freelance artwork is used predominantly in corporate circles, internationally, and has evolved from line drawings and paintings to a combination of many media along with computer work.

Riggan’s studio is in southern Clay county.