Statement by Scott Wallin, Chief Curator, The Whatcom Museum of History and Art, from a catalogue for the show, “It was about painting”, November 18, 2000- February 18, 2001, The Whatcom Museum of History and Art.

The Whatcom Museum of History and Art is the first museum to offer, if not strictly a retrospective, then a deep and varied examination of the work by Jay Steensma. In the Museum’s effort to provide educational challenges, “It was about painting” fits the bill. This exhibit acquaints ourselves with a noteworthy regional artist and acquaints the region with a museum that has noteworthy ambitions. Contrary to the notion of an artist’s progressive development from apprentice to master, one might instead see in the works of Jay Steensma a very real reflection of the manic-depressive. From bright and active excitement to somber plains of grey, Jay Steensma provides a bumpy ride. Certainly any examination of Steensma’s life work would leap up and down and back and forth across the landscape of Northwest art as well as that of the human soul. This exhibit offers the viewer, with the curators’ guidance and throughout the art itself, the story of a life both troubled and productive. We all, I think, know something about that. What pleases me, however, is to simply feel the painting of the paintings – and I feel the act, bumps and all.