Immersion therapy

Immerse yourself in an aqueous new exhibit at the VAC

Dive deep into art at the show, “Being Fluid” by Michael Guerriero, opening in the Runyan Gallery at the Newport Visual Arts Center this Friday, Aug. 4 and running through Sept. 30.

An opening reception will take place on Friday beginning at 5 pm. Wine and light refreshments will be served and live music will be provided by Ian Smith. Guerriero will give an introduction and artist talk beginning at 5:30 pm.

Drawing inspiration not only from his affinity for water, but also from studying the work of Paul Klee and Alexander Calder, Guerriero's new show features sculptures, paintings, drawings and serigraphs that explore themes of swimming, interacting with nature and finding balance.

Guerriero has studied and created art over the course of 35 years spent in Northern California. He moved with his wife to Yachats in 2013. Since then, he has expanded his studio to include sculptured works in steel, bending wire and rod into animal and figurative shapes, and depicting ephemeral swimmers that represent human interactions in our natural world.

A lifelong swimmer himself, Guerriero is fascinated by water:

"The way it moves and envelopes, the striking temperature change, coming up to the surface for breath," he said. 

"Beyond depicting the ocean and water that dominates our surroundings here on the coast, ‘Being Fluid’ takes us deeper," said Chasse Davidson, director of the Newport Visual Arts Center. "This body of work goes beyond an impression of water and its life forms. It explores the relationships and connections that become evident when immersed."

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.