Jake Van Wyk Art Exhibit: "Out of the Fire"

An exhibit titled “Out of the Fire” will be on display in the Te Paske Art Gallery Jan. 10 through March 4. A reception with the artist, Jake Van Wyk of Ireton, Iowa, is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 12, at 7 p.m.

In 2019, Van Wyk’s studio was destroyed in a fire, along with hundreds of works of art, materials, tools and equipment. After spending a year salvaging damaged art and rebuilding his studio, he compiled a selection of drawings, prints, paintings and sculptures that span his career as an artist.

“Collecting the work for this exhibit allowed me to reflect on the variety of images, production techniques, and inevitable changes of style and choices of subject matter over nearly 50 years,” Van Wyk says. “After comparing early works to recent ones, I’m encouraged that I’ve remained true to my artistic vision of substantial images that transcend themselves.”

Van Wyk is a Dordt University professor emeritus of art who is a master potter and printmaker, excelling in stone lithography and clay sculpture. A significant portfolio of his art is functional ceramic ware and clay commissions, as well as landscapes in many different mediums. His work has been featured in regional art exhibits, national competitions and multiple one-person shows.