We’ll foot the bill

In *Animate* Objects

Siletz-based ceramic and mixed media artist, Paula Teplitz, will open her new exhibit, “In *Animate* Objects” at the Newport Visual Arts Center this Friday, Aug. 4. The show will run through Sept. 30 in the Upstairs Gallery.

An opening reception with Tepletz will take place on Friday at 5 pm. Wine and light refreshments will be served, live music will be provided by Ian Smith and Tipletz will be on hand to discuss her work.

The exhibit features sculpture, hand-built utilitarian ware ceramics, paper mâché, carving, glazing and mixed media. Heavily influenced by her travels to Europe, Africa, Japan and Mexico, Teplitz's pieces commonly depict animals and humans, and her materials are often repurposed.

"In addition to materials that are mined or extracted, I've made an effort to create with items that might otherwise be headed to the scrap heap," she said. "Every fastener, form and material presents its own problem-solving challenge. Simple things can take many failures to finally get right. And while this is frustrating, it can be very rewarding in the end."

Born in Los Angeles, Teplitz studied animal science for two years before changing her major to studio art and earning a BA from Sonoma State College. She ultimately moved to the Pacific Northwest, where she has resided since 1990. In addition to ceramics, she enjoys painting and gardening.

"Paula's work encapsulates her affinity for living things," said Chasse Davidson, director of the Newport Visual Arts Center. "The varied mediums showcase a wonderful reflection of her deep respect for life in its many forms, and her gentle aesthetic gracefully flows through whichever material she is working with."

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.