Well worth the trip(le)
The walls of the Newport Visual Arts Center are going to be almost dripping with new art during October. Three new openings and artists’ talks on Saturday, Oct. 2, will introduce exhibits that include a whimsical collection of clay; assemblage art focused on consumption; and a collection of works inspired by caring for the coast.
“Whimsical Clay”
The award-winning hand-built and functional ceramic works by artistic team Emily Free Wilson and Matt Wilson will be on display in the Coastal Oregon Visual Artist Showcase through Nov. 27.
“I need to make fun, happy, colorful things out of clay,” Emily said. “My imagination can turn images of rain, fireworks or candy into fun, abstract designs that dance across the forms. I strive to make beautiful and whimsical pieces of art that make you smile and are a joy to use.”
Emily and Matt operate Free Ceramics, a business they started in 2009 in Montana. There they converted an old funeral home into the Studio Art Center, complete with private studios, community spaces, a showroom and opportunities for live music, workshops and events.
In 2019, Emily and Matt uprooted from Montana and moved to Oregon where they purchased a middle-school building in Gardiner and started the Oregon Coast School of Art. The school provides studio and production spaces and workshops, and is developing an artist residency program.
The couple are raising their two children while continuing to make their unique style of pottery.
Emily was born in Alaska and grew up in Roseburg. She received a BFA in ceramics and sculpture at the University of Wisconsin then moved to Helena for an internship at the Archie Bray Foundation, where she would go on to serve as director for close to a decade. Emily has received grants from the Montana Arts Association and the Myrna Loy Art Center. She has been a visiting artist at the Ceramics Ireland International Festival, Saddleback College, Pottery Northwest and the Jackson Art Association. Her work has been published in Ceramics Monthly and various ceramics books.
With a background in engineering and carpentry, Matt took his skills and combined them with his love of geology and science in the ceramics field. At Free Ceramics, he is responsible for slip casts, colors and glazes and the science and mechanics behind the scenes.
“Consumed”
A maker on a mission, Tyler Brumfield will present his works of carved wood, collected plastic, reclaimed plywood and reused Formica throughout October in the Upstairs Gallery.
“Through quality craftsmanship, visual organization and a dynamic handling of color, shape and texture, the works offer a powerful visual experience,” Brumfield said. “I hope to create an experience that ignites curiosity, spurs a desire for more information and causes the viewers to examine their complicity in the problem of plastic waste.”
Brumfield, currently based in Forest Grove, was born and raised in Western Oregon. He earned a BS in studio art at Western Oregon University in 2015 and an MFA from the University of Montana in 2018.
His studio work explores visual and conceptual intersections between art history and everyday life. In 2019 he became an assistant professor of Art and Design at Pacific University.
“Reserve Inspiration”
The Runyan Gallery will feature nine coastal artists through the end of the month. The works are all inspired by the beauty and diversity of the Oregon’s Marine Reserves in media ranging from painting and scientific illustration to ceramics, photography and fire painting.
Oregon’s five marine reserve sites are areas in the ocean dedicated to conservation and scientific research, overseen by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Artists involved, many of whom will be at the opening, include:
Julie Fiedler, a ceramics artist and painter and director of the St. James Santiago School.
Scott Groth, a marine biologist who guides fisheries to improved sustainability, but also has a love for adventure, the sea and photography.
Cynthia Longhat-Adams, a self-taught multimedia artist who uses pyrographic methods in an ever-evolving process that powers her growth as an artist.
Victoria McOmie, a painter and mixed media artist taking creative cues from nature for more than four decades.
Ernie Rose, who enjoys photographing the natural world, especially birds and other wildlife.
Nora Sherwood, who holds a certificate in natural science illustration from the University of Washington, works with numerous clients in Oregon and beyond and occasionally has time to paint for her own enjoyment.
Jill Perry Townsend, who paints plein air in oils and loves the ocean and landscape of the coast and the adventure of going to amazing places to paint.
Helen Kropp has enjoyed painting en plein air watercolor on the Oregon Coast since the 1970s and continues to do so every summer, trying to capture light and color of the spectacular views.
Dennis White has rekindled his passion for photography since his move to the Oregon Coast, exploring Oregon’s landscape and wildlife diversity, finding beauty in the broad scope and tiny details of nature.
A public opening for all three collections will be held from noon to 4 pm on Saturday, Oct. 2, at the Newport Visual Arts Center, 777 NW Beach Drive. For more information, go to coastarts.org.