Art that’s worth squawking about
Art inspired by nature unites the creators of three new exhibitions coming to Newport Visual Arts Center galleries, opening this Friday, Aug. 2 and running through Sept. 29.
An opening reception for the exhibits will take place Friday from 5 to 7 pm. Doug Haga will give a talk at 5:30 pm, followed by Jeremy Likness at 6 pm. Light refreshments will be served, and musical guest Annie Averre will provide entertainment.
In the Runyan Gallery, Haga’s “Here, There and Back Again” features brightly painted and embellished character inventions crafted from found natural elements and brought to life through intense color. The sculptural exhibit represents a full departure from his fifty years of two-dimensional artwork. Inspired by his interest in the Asian concept of Wabi-Sabi, a design aesthetic that combines ancient material with modern elements, Haga's pieces are crafted combining driftwood with gourds, shop-made additions and wild chromatic pigments.
“Although I have been fabricating 'things' most of my life, this work is perhaps the most fun and engrossing art I have done for some time,” he said. “I have worked with modern pigments, powders, gels and unique wood shapes.”
In the Upstairs Gallery, “The Dynamic Poetry of Nature” features the astrophotography of Likness. The out-of-this-world images provide visual access to the celestial, beyond what we are capable of seeing on our own.
“I seek to unveil the magic hidden in the mundane that is revealed in the awe-inspiring moments in darkness that connect us to the distant stars," he said. "My lenses capture light in a variety of forms, from distant galaxies to the luminous surface of the sunlit moon. I craft my art to evoke wonder and awe and reflect not just the light, but the emotional resonance of the target."
And in the COVAS Showcase, you will find Ben Soeby’s “New and Recent Works.” Using house paint, acrylic and paint pens on repurposed wood, the Lincoln City artist creates intricate and wild pieces inspired by a lifetime spent on the river and in the woods.
“Art and fishing saved my life and have given me an attachment to the moment,” he said. “As well as a meaningful perspective on nature and life.”
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.