DUNDEE, Ore. – On September 13th, at a special event held at the Argyle Tasting House in Dundee, Oregon, Argyle Winery and the Pacific Northwest College of Art at Willamette University (PNCA) unveiled the 2024 Argyle Art of Sparkling Collection. The collection features original label artwork created by PNCA student artists India Rel-McNeese, Savannah Sanford and Aries Brock in a 3-bottle set of Argyle’s 2021 Vintage Brut. Celebrating its ninth anniversary, Art of Sparkling is a unique juried internship program created by Argyle in collaboration with PNCA to promote the value of creativity and artistic storytelling. Each vintage, the three winning artists participate in an educational internship at Argyle that culminates in the creation of their original label art for the Art of Sparkling Collection. For those wishing to support Art of Sparkling, the collection is available at www.ArgyleWinery.com.
After being selected for the internship, which includes a scholarship, the artists traveled to Dundee, Oregon, where they participated in an immersive internship hosted by Winemaker Nate Klostermann, Vineyard Manager Erica Miller, and members of the Argyle team. During this working retreat, the artists were provided a behind-the-scenes perspective on the winery’s approach to viticulture, winemaking and hospitality, and were able to visit Argyle’s beautiful Lone Star Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills, which provided inspiration for the 2024 Art of Sparkling labels.
“Studies show that it’s exactly these types of experiences that bolster artists at the beginning of their careers to succeed throughout their creative lifetimes, with higher success in jobs in the arts and more fully developed business and communications skills for their own creative businesses,” said Kristin Rogers Brown, department chair and Associate Professor of Graphic Design at PNCA. “Now in our ninth year, we can see the success of Art of Sparkling alumni who were inspired to learn more about food and agriculture, advocate for companies they believe in, and work with professional audiences with more confidence. Growing the program from a scholarship to a full internship experience has taken it to a whole new level for them.”
For the artists, the internship provides both real-world professional experience and the opportunity to share their work on a national level. “It feels surreal to have my art on an Argyle label,” said India Rel-McNeese. “While working on my piece, I tried to be true to myself and treat it like I would with any of my paintings. Now seeing it printed, it feels like it fully hit me. So many people will be able to see and interact with my work in a way I’ve only dreamt of in the past.”
These sentiments are echoed by Savannah Sanford. “As an emerging artist, especially finishing my last semester at PNCA and getting this opportunity, it has given me so much motivation and confidence in my art and craft. I’ve learned how important my voice and unique expressions really are; and sharing my passion and talent with others no longer feels unattainable. When I found out I was one of the Art of Sparking artists, I immediately felt like everything I’ve accomplished in school has really paid off, and I’m excited and hungrier than ever for future opportunities. It feels absolutely mind blowing to see my art on a bottle of Argyle wine. This experience has lifted me up as an artist unlike any opportunity I’ve had before.”
The 2024 3-bottle Art of Sparkling gift set features the following label artwork.
India Rel-McNeese
With “On The Horizon,” illustration major India Rel-McNeese gracefully explores nature’s cycles, the changes of seasons, growth, renewal and rejuvenation using gouache paint and colored pencil, allowing for a blend of line and form. In Rel-McNeese’s words, “it is a piece meant to honor the spark of creation and the passion that drives us to bring something special into the world.”
Savannah Sanford
Titled “Natural Femininity,” printmaking major Savannah Sanford’s label art was inspired by the flora and fauna of Oregon wine country and stitched together to represent sustainability, strength and balance, as well as the nurturing female presence and leadership at Argyle. It was botanically printed using plants and natural pigments sourced from Argyle’s vineyards.
Aries Brock
For general fine arts major Aries Brock, “Witness” speaks to the experience during his Argyle internship of seeing Argyle’s Lone Star Vineyard with its sweeping hillside views of the Cascades, from Mt. Rainier in the north to the Three Sisters in the south. Said Brock, “The area is so alive and in tune with itself. The vineyard acts as a guardian and watches over all of its systems.”
“Our annual Art of Sparkling release has become a beloved tradition here at Argyle,” said Argyle Community Development Manager Cathy Martin, who has spearheaded the program since its inception. “The interactions with these young artists are incredibly inspiring for our team. Not only do their labels wow us every year, but they also help us to see our relationship with the land and the communities we call home in new and fascinating ways!”
About Argyle Winery
Founded in 1987, Argyle is Oregon’s original sparkling wine house. In the years since, what began as a conviction to grow world-class sparkling wine has grown to include an acclaimed portfolio of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling. Argyle farms nearly 500 acres of estate vineyards in the Willamette Valley, and welcomes guests daily at the Argyle Tasting House, located in the same downtown Dundee space they’ve called home since the beginning. To learn more, visit ArgyleWinery.com.
About Pacific Northwest College of Art
Willamette is a nationally renowned private university with campuses in Portland and Salem, Oregon. Our Portland campus features the northwest’s flagship art and design school, the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA), the oldest art and design college in Oregon. PNCA leads art and design degree programs, public galleries and community arts programs which fuel its mission: to help artists and designers live a life of creative practice and build a dynamic, just and thriving arts ecosystem in Oregon. Learn more at pnca.willamette.edu.
