Symbiosis
Artists: Lauren Adams, Tricia Kleinot, Joanna Shippam
Show Description:
"Symbiosis: The Living Language of the Inland Northwest" brings together three artists exploring the deep interconnections between humans and the natural world. Lauren Adams’ large scale drawings of native conifers honor the monumental presence and intricate details of the region’s forests.
Tricia Kleinot’s Fruiting Bodies reveals the unseen networks of fungi and lichen that sustain life beneath the surface. Joanna Shippam’s paintings celebrate the natural world through abstract representation, often mixing natural pigments with manmade mediums to highlight our connection to our environment.
Together, their works invite viewers to see the Inland Northwest as a living system where every root, spore, and grain of soil speaks the language of balance, reciprocity, and wonder.
artists statements:
Lauren Adams Artist Statement: These large scale mixed media drawings are inspired from a book I wrote and illustrated identifying local trees on a property connected with Whitworth University. My hope is to draw viewers into the magnificence of the nature (specifically trees) that are around us on a daily basis, noting their detail and scale. When confronted with beauty and knowledge of the natural world, care for our surroundings quickly follows.
Tricia Kleinot Artist Statement: Much of what I create begins with pondering the details that surround me; seeing new shapes and forms in what already exists. The processes of birth, death, and growth offer infinite inspiration. With acrylic paint and pencil, I create narratives by intertwining reality with fantasy, transcending our known ideas of the physical world. My work seeks to define the relationships that separate us, connect us, and morph us with nature.
The “Fruiting Bodies” series is inspired by my move to the Inland Northwest and journey into motherhood. Both are acts of disconnection and re-establishment that bring about emotional and physical changes. What happens when a diverse kingdom of organisms with distinct roles in the ecosystem intersects with the human world and our experiences? These fungi and human entanglements explore two ideas: symbiotic, restorative relationships and nature as medicine.
Joanna Shippam Artist Statement: My curiosity about the symbiotic relationship we share with our environment is central to my artistic practice. I have always thought of art as a balance between listening and speaking—a sort of call and response. My approach is observational, beginning with an appreciation for subtle details in nature— colors, shapes, or textures— and then zooming in to make them the central focus. These details are then abstracted and expanded, transforming them into immersive landscapes that invite close exploration and contemplation.
Many of these pieces include a thoughtful and deliberate combination of manmade mediums alongside natural pigments from the earth itself—incorporating colors made from rocks, plants, and metal oxides. A driving curiosity woven into this collection is observing how these distinct natural and synthetic elements interact and merge, celebrating our unique human participation in cultivating and creating beauty within the world.
On View: Jan 2nd - Jan 31st
Opening Reception: Jan 2nd, 5-8pm
Terrain Gallery Hours: Thursday-Saturday 4PM-7PM
NOW OPEN! Introducing the Terrain Gallery Annex – a new retail wing of the gallery showcasing rotating work from 30 local artists. Annex artwork is available to purchase directly off the wall, and features a variety of mediums and price points. View the current list of participating artists here.
Designed to create more opportunities for artists to display and sell their artwork, we hope the Annex will help to further cultivate the local arts community and remind visitors of the importance of supporting artists and the arts.
Terrain Gallery Annex is open during regular gallery hours.
2026 GalLery Shows
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PAST GALLERY SHOWS
Our gallery space is located at 628 N. Monroe, a BEAUTIFUL historic building built in 1904.
Hours and Location
ABOUT TERRAIN GALLERY
We believe art and creativity have the power to transform Spokane into a stronger, more economically diverse, just, and vibrant city. Terrain Gallery is a critical component of this work, providing artists from a variety of cultural backgrounds, artistic practices, and abilities, a beautiful and professional platform to show their work.
In addition, the gallery is a space for the community to come together and exchange ideas, and challenges us to see the world through multiple perspectives.
Terrain Gallery plays host to a myriad of public events, artist-led activities, and collaborative showcases. We’ve partnered with EWU, Whitworth, and SCC giving students interested in the arts intern opportunities, and we have made a tremendous effort to highlight shows with subject matters that have depth and relevance for the Spokane community. One of the foundational principles is to show the work of as diverse populations as possible. To date, we have shown the work of 243 artists, 98 whom identify as artists of color, and 58 who identify as LGBTQ2SIA+. 80% of Terrain Gallery shows feature at least one artist who identifies as BIPOC and/or LGBTQ2SIA+, and we have showcased artwork from groups like unsheltered teens and Spokane's immigrant populations.
Terrain Gallery is FREE to show in and FREE to visit, eliminating economic barriers for participation, and our commission split on artwork sold — 70% to the artist, 30% to Terrain — is not only rare (galleries typically take a MUCH higher cut), it demonstrates our dedication for economic empowerment for the artists of our region.
Supporting Terrain Gallery not only shows a commitment to Terrain and the artists of Spokane, it communicates your shared belief in building a more equitable, empathetic, fair, and beautiful city.
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Sustain Terrain Gallery by becoming a monthly donor!
For $17 a month (or $204 annually), you can play a role in keeping Terrain Gallery FREE to the public, and FREE for artists to show in.
Your support not only reflects your belief in the #weallbuildthis spirit, but also helps gallery artists access:
Beautiful, street-level retail space — helping us claim space for the arts in Spokane!
Digital and physical marketing materials
One of the best exhibit preparators in the region
A commission split that centers artists i.e. 70% of each sale goes to the artist while only 30% goes back to Terrain to help cover administrative costs. This is unheard of in traditional galleries
The public benefits too! By creating a space that welcomes ALL people, Terrain Gallery gives the community the opportunity to come together and exchange ideas, challenge ourselves to see the world through multiple perspectives, and celebrate our shared humanity.
And as a little icing on the cake, we’ll put your name on our soon-to-be “Friends of Terrain Gallery” wall, which honors the volunteers, donors, sponsors, staff members, and artists who collectively keep Terrain Gallery going.
** If you’re interested in a breakdown of Terrain Gallery’s costs, you can do so here. **
GALLERY - NOW accepting submissions
The Terrain Gallery is approximately 1,500 square feet and is located at 628 N. Monroes St.. The building is a beautiful turn of a century space that has been updated will still maintaining its original character - such as the original tin ceilings, beautiful brick walls peaking out around the white gallery walls.
Pictures of the gallery as well as gallery renderings can be found by clicking here.
We are looking for an array of proposals including two dimensional, sculptural, installation, video, audio (artist must supply equipment), interactive, or experimental artworks.
CALL CLOSES: October 17th, midnight