Artists hit the right tone

See creativity dialed in to perfection at ‘The Telephone Game’ exhibit

Do you remember the game where a message is whispered from one person to the next around a circle? When it gets to the end, the phrase has transformed into something very different. This is the premise behind the “The Telephone Game,” a new, experimental exhibit opening at Lincoln City’s Chessman Gallery this Friday, Jan. 5.

The exhibit offers a visual, rather than auditory, version of the game by showing two different circles of art created by an amazing group of local artists.

Friday’s opening reception is from 5 to 7 pm, with wine, appetizers, and lots of artists.

Or, take the virtual gallery tour on Saturday on the @LincolnCityCulture page on Facebook.

Each artist has rendered their version of the piece before them. Viewers will be able to see how the image changes depending on the style, process and mood of each artist.

“This exhibit is absolutely an experiment,” Visual Arts Director Krista Eddy said. “We were wondering what would happen if we asked a group of artists to try out this idea of recreating a work in their own style but inspired by the artwork before them in the circle, just like in the telephone game but visually — and we all had so much fun doing it! It was such an interesting and successful endeavor.”  

In the two circles that are presented in this exhibit, some themes and colors stayed while others were left behind. Different perspectives, styles and artistic mediums can change the subject matter drastically and show the depth of creativity alive in coastal artists.

Each circle begins with a photograph of a local spot. Each circle then proceeds to encompass mediums from painting to clay work, fiber arts to mosaic and assemblage to spray paint art. The age range of this group of artists is just as diverse, including artists from 10 to 75 years old.

As an added bonus, the Pacific Artists Alliance Gallery and Artists’ Studio Alliance, across from the cultural center, will also be hosting a reception for their new exhibit on Friday evening.

“The Telephone Game” will be on display through Feb. 11 at the Chessman Gallery, located inside the Lincoln City Cultural Center at 540 NE Hwy. 101. The center is open from 10 am to 5 pm, Wednesday through Sunday.

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