These artists are kiln it
Photos mix well with ceramics at Manzanita show
Manzanita’s Hoffman Gallery is set to “Snap into Spring” for its May show, opening this Friday, May 6, with a public reception beginning at 3 pm on Saturday, May 7.
The spring-inspired photography will mix with a group show by the East Creek Ceramics Group, Friends of the Fire.
The ceramicists of East Creek work with an anagama kiln, an ancient type of pottery kiln brought to Japan from China via Korea in the 5th Century. Anagama is a Japanese term meaning "cave kiln."
The East Creek anagama was built in 1983 by Oregon artists Nils Lou, Tom Coleman and Frank Boyden with the mission to bring ceramic education via wood firing to the West Coast. The first of its kind built west of the Mississippi, the kiln and 20 forested acres on which it sits were owned and managed by Nils. When he died unexpectedly, the kiln and property were in limbo. Thanks to a community effort, East Creek Art, LLC, was established with the purpose of continuing the East Creek educational mission.
Show contributors are Dwayne Sackey, Eli Pilkington, Lew Allen, Lori Allen, Sam Newman, Joe Robinson and Aubrey Sloan.
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The nature and spring-inspired photographs in the show are the works of Bryan Churchill, Don Backman, Loren Nelson and Gregg Goolsby.
Bryan Churchill
“Art and photography have been a life saver for many during these strange and challenging times. As we break through the clouds of a difficult winter and ‘snap into spring,’ creativity continues to keep many of us sane and connected within ourselves and the world around us.”
Don Backman
“Leaves appear, trees bloom and flowers arise almost magically everywhere. Grass grows and it’s time to mow again. Spring has arrived on the Oregon Coast! The past two years have been trying times, and I have found that capturing images has helped bring the beauty of nature inside and given people a reason to smile.”
Loren Nelson
“Although autumn is my favorite season in which to photograph, spring is a close second. The graceful and sensual forms of flowers, leaves, and other visual treats in our natural world have always fascinated me. Until recently, I made all my photographs with a 4X5 view camera and printed the resulting negatives in a traditional darkroom.”
Gregg Goolsby
“It’s spring, and oh, how we have been longing for your return! The awakening of all life forms are cued by the warming days that chase away the dank darkness of winter. Monotone coastal fog diminishes ever earlier in the day, permitting the sun’s strengthening rays to tickle the canopy of trees that grow to the sky.”
The exhibit runs through May 29 at the Hoffman Gallery, located at 594 Laneda Avenue in Manzanita, open Friday through Sunday from 1 to 5 pm. For more information go to hoffmanarts.org or call 503-368-3846.