Winners of Idaho State University ‘Paint the Pond’ contest announced; new art by Murdock, Merkley decorates Pond Student Union

Pocatello artists Torgesen Murdock and Anne Merkley are the winners of the Idaho State University "Paint the Pond" competition for the newly renovated Pond Student Union.

Murdock's 10 foot by 5 foot painting – "of beautiful backcountry that has water, gorgeous rocks and trees, in a mountain area with wildlife" – has been hung on the upper level of the Pond Student Union between the Computer Laboratory and the Salmon River Suite's North Fork Room entrance. She earned $4,000 for the winning painting.

"It is a thrill to have a painting right here in the ISU Pond Student Union where people from Pocatello can enjoy it, and students can learn from it," Murdock said. "I'm excited that the University has purchased original artwork for the building. It makes such a big difference to a building. What people look at is the artwork on the wall and it can really touch their sights, feelings and emotions."

Merkley painted a 9 foot by 4 foot painting of a landscape that features aspen trees in the autumn near Idaho’s Bear Creek in the Gem state's central mountains. Her piece earned Merkley $3,000 and is displayed on the upper level of the Pond Student Union between the entrances of the North Fork and Middle Fork Rooms of the Salmon River Suite.

"It's a real honor to have my painting chosen and there's no place I’d like to have a piece more than at Idaho State University," said Merkley, who has earned multiple undergraduate and graduate degrees from ISU. "It's a real pleasure coming at this point in my life."

The jury that selected the winners was composed of four local affiliates of Idaho State University. The jury was composed of an administrative representative, an undergraduate art student, Associated Students of ISU President Shaun Stokes, and a community volunteer.

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