Art trio in Newport
Three wildly expressive new exhibits will open at the Newport Visual Arts Center galleries this Friday, Oct. 11.
An opening reception will take place from 5 to 7 pm Friday, featuring light refreshments and artist talks begin at 5:30 pm.
In the Runyan Gallery, Natasha Ramras’s “Coastal Reverie” is an evocative exhibit blending impressionistic landscapes of the Oregon Coast with abstract representations of sea and shoreline creatures. Painting of ancient sea stacks, misty horizons and vibrant tidal pools coexist with intricate abstractions of sea anemones, starfish and seabirds, forming a cohesive yet dynamic visual dialogue.
“Coastal Reverie invites viewers to contemplate the environmental fragility against nature’s power,” Ramras said. “It serves as a poignant reminder of our responsibility to cherish and protect the delicate balance of our coastal habitats. Each piece is a testament to the beauty and power of the ocean and a call to honor the delicate threads that weave together the tapestry of life.”
In the Upstairs Gallery, “Abundance of the Oregon Coast” features paintings by Kris Buenger. Noted for creating colorful coastal scenes that immerse you in her fantastical world of underwater and out-of-water sea creatures and their surroundings, Buenger’s “fun fine art” paintings highlight the seriousness of protecting our oceans.
“Attention is given to every space of Kris’s paintings,” said Chasse Davidson, director of the Newport Visual Arts Center. “The abundance of life forms keeps the viewer searching to discover each detail. I’ve watched audiences of all ages engrossed in Kris’s work. We are thrilled to have her creations cover the walls of the Upstairs Gallery.”
And in the COVAS Showcase, Toby Wayne Larson’s “Out of the Fire” are sawdust-fired ceramic busts encapsulating human emotion in forms fired in the most ancient of techniques.
“Toby has an infectious excitement,” Davidson said. “There is the molding of the clay, and then the playing with fire to create one-of-a-kind, never-know-what-you’re-going-to-get pieces. He has a passion for that element of surprise, and his work highlights the beautiful result of embracing the oldest of techniques to create something new.”
The exhibits will run through Dec. 1.
The Newport Visual Arts Center is located at 777 NW Beach Drive and is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 4 pm. For more information, go to coastarts.org or call 541-265-6540.