Students at Willamette University’s Pacific Northwest College of Art benefit from industry partnerships across the Willamette Valley. PNCA’s Art of Sparkling partnership with Argyle Winery gives three students each year real-world experience working with an established fine-goods brand. This year, the program celebrates a major milestone — ten years of celebrating and empowering emerging artists.
This unique collaboration between Oregon’s world-class vintners and the leading art and design school in the Pacific Northwest gives PNCA students the opportunity to spend time with the team at Argyle to learn about the creative process of winemaking.
Hawk Ferdig BFA’26 says, “It has been informative and inspiring to see the process of winemaking from vine to shelf. So much of my work is process based, so getting to see this all the way through, and hear the way that the winemakers talked about the process resonate with me strongly.”
These artists learn all facets of the business from the farming of the grapes, to the bottleroom, and finally to the marketing and distribution of the finished product. Each year, the selected students’ artwork is featured on a limited edition three-bottle set of Vintage Brut. Students also receive a $5,000 scholarship from Argyle Winery.
“This scholarship and experience connects students to the Oregon wine industry, a local economic engine for the state that shares the passion for achieving mastery of their craft,” says Jerilyn Gallardo BFA’26. “Learning about Argyle’s brand culture showed me what it takes to have a successful business and the vital role that community plays in it.”
The art created for the limited-edition labels is a response to the artists’ experience learning about the art of winemaking at Argyle. These works are unveiled each year at a special event hosted by Argyle Winery at their tasting room in the Dundee hills. Argyle Wine enthusiasts, supporters of PNCA, media, and the public gather for a night to celebrate wine and the artists.
Finn Gibson MFA’27 is impressed with Argyle’s sustained commitment to engaging and supporting emerging artists through PNCA. “I am equally and utterly shocked, baffled, and grateful that Argyle goes out of their way to make this opportunity possible for people. I think that in the age of AI, making the effort to connect with real artists and support them fairly is one of the most hardcore metal things you can do as a brand, and in my opinion reflects very well on the people and their intentions behind the scenes,” Gibson says.
Congratulations to this year’s 2025 Art of Sparkling artists: Hawk Ferdig, Jerilyn Gallardo, and Finn Gibson.
Top Photo: “Rainbow Energy," by Jerilyn Gallardo.
