Strike oil
and watercolors, acrylics and more at Toledo’s First Weekend
Art is everywhere in Toledo, from the murals and sculptures throughout town to the art galleries and studios nestled in the hills. And at the start of each month, Toledo celebrates its rich artistic heritage with First Weekend, a chance for the public to connect with artists and artisans throughout town.
This month’s First Weekend, taking place on Saturday and Sunday, July 1 and 2, will see the Yaquina River Museum of Art continue its exhibit “The Majors,” an exclusive selection of the largest paintings from its Permanent Collection. On Saturday, July 1, at 1:30 pm, Museum Chair Judy Gibbons will give a presentation about the two impressive “Winter Surf” series seascapes on display by her late husband, museum founder and well-known regional artist Michael Gibbons. A complimentary wine and cheese reception will follow.
The museum is located at 151 NE Alder Street, open through the weekend from noon to 4 pm. For more information, go to yaquinarivermuseumofart.org.
Across the street at Michael Gibbons’ Signature Gallery, a spotlight will be on Gibbons’ painting “Labor Day Relaxation on the Metolius River,” a painting of a fisherman casting a line along the banks of a glittering Metolius River as the summer flora encroaches the banks. Although never a fisherman, Gibbons enjoyed catching others in the moment during his painting travels. Michael Gibbons’ Signature Gallery is located at 140 NE Alder Street, open from noon to 4 pm both days. For more information, go to michaelgibbons.net.
Nearby on Graham Street, Ivan Kelly Studio & Gallery will be featuring “Out to Sea, Tufted Puffins,” an oil painting depicting the iconic seabirds that nest on the coast’s rocky shores. Kelly, a Signature Member of the American Society of Marine Artists since 2000, is well known for his coastal and maritime paintings along with his big game pieces. Ivan Kelly Studio & Gallery is located at 207 E Graham Street, open from noon to 4 pm both days. For more information, go to ivankelly.com.
On Main Street, Crow’s Nest Gallery & Studio features the works of more than 15 artists in a variety of different mediums. Among them is oil painter Veta Bakhtina. Inspired by the fairytales on her childhood, Bakhtina’s art is rich in color and content. Viewers are led into her paintings like they are being drawn along the path of a dark and enchanting forest. See her work in the gallery alongside pieces by gallery founder Janet Runger, found art assemblage; Alice Haga, fused glass; Sylvia Hosie, photography; Paula Teplitz, sculptural jellyfish mobiles; Jeff Gibford, digitally manipulated photographs; Tish Epperson, watercolors; Val Bolen, ceramics; and Susan Jones, woven fiber jellyfish. Crow’s Nest Gallery & Studio is located at 305 N. Main Street, open from 10 am to 5 pm both days.
Just further down Main Street is Art Toledo’s Phantom Gallery, an ART Toledo project that promotes available commercial building spaces on Main Street by exhibiting local art. The gallery currently features the works of photographer Taylor Bennett-Wiens and emerging photographer and high school student Tayla Stevenson, available to view at 355 N Main Street.
For more information, go to ARTToledo.com.