OREGON CITY – The Clackamas Community College Alexander Gallery presents "they would prefer to be a cloud, fastened to the rock,"" an exhibition of work by Portland-based artist Sara Siestreem (Hanis Coos). The exhibition runs through May 3. An artist reception will be held Wednesday, April 12, noon-1 p.m., and Siestreem will speak about her work at 1 p.m.

In "they would prefer to be a cloud, fastened to the rock," Siestreem utilizes ceremonial traditions of her ancestors, combined with contemporary modes and materials of making, to explore painting, photography, printmaking, weaving and large-scale installation. Visual elements inspired by biologic lifecycles, geologic and hydrodynamic events and astronomic elements inspire her painted works.

Siestreem is a master artist from the Umpqua River Valley on the southern coast of Oregon. Her work has been supported by a Forge Project Fellowship, the Oregon Arts Commission, the Potlatch Fund and Oregon Community Foundation.

The Alexander Gallery is located in the Niemeyer Center on the Oregon City campus, 19600 Molalla Ave., and is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., with the exception of holidays.

This exhibition is free and open to the public. For questions, contact Kate Simmons at 503-594-3032 or kates@clackamas.edu. For more information on Clackamas Community College's art exhibits and performances, visit www.clackamas.edu/art.