A vivid collection

Artist Riley Hoagland channels color and connections in ‘Vivid Existence’

 Enjoy a multi-faceted art experience this Friday, Feb. 16, when Lincoln City’s Chessman Gallery brings you “Vivid Existence,” the exciting new exhibit by Riley Hoagland.

Meet the artist at the opening reception from 5 to 7 pm on Friday, or take a virtual tour on Saturday at the Lincoln City Cultural Center page on Facebook.

In this inaugural show, Hoagland brings bold colors, overline work and symmetry to art. A professional inventor, woodworker and sewist, he pulls together multifaceted visions to create a show that includes large paintings, featuring dazzling patterns that can be viewed using 3-D glasses, and a large fabric installation.

Hoagland began his career in the arts in 2016 after letting go of the thought "I'm not an artist." During a walk, he found a handmade wooden box containing 30 paints, left just outside a dumpster. Shortly thereafter, created his "Six Year Series" painted on the back of his successful 2016 political campaign banner. The idea to use diffraction glasses came by way of a visiting friend who looked at that series and saw the 3D effect.

He also spends his time volunteering for the community. As Lincoln City’s first planning commissioner and city councilor of color, his experiences have rippled into his installation art piece which symbolizes connection and the power that connection and understanding can bring to a community or an individual. He credits the beauty of the Oregon Coast as his main inspiration.

“Vivid Existence” will be on display through the end of March at the Chessman Gallery, located inside the Lincoln City Cultural Center at 540 NE Hwy. 101, open from 10 am to 5 pm, Wednesday through Sunday.

For more information, go to lincolncity-culturalcenter.org or call 541-994-9994.