Mill around this art-filled town
First Weekend returns to Toledo this Saturday and Sunday, March 6 and 7, showcasing the uniqueness of the small mill town and its vibrant arts community. This event, held the first weekend of every month, gives artists and visitors a chance to connect through a personal approach to art.
Featured this month at the Yaquina River Museum of Art is Toledo Treasures — Eight Artist Interpretations. Thirteen selected works from the museum’s permanent collection depict iconic views of buildings, roads and landscapes found within the town. This wide variety of subjects and media will be displayed within the Schoolhouse exhibit space. Also featured for March and April at the museum is a fundraising raffle; enter for a chance to win a crystal set, art books and other collectables.
Included in the Toledo Treasures exhibit is “Toledo Mill” a pastel by Jacksonville-based artist Steve Bennett, winner of the Pastel Society of Oregon’s 2015 Gold Award.
The Yaquina River Museum of Art, located at 151 NE Alder Street, will be open from noon to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, go to www.yaquinarivermuseumofart.org or call 541-336-1907.
Across the street, the Michael Gibbons’ Signature Gallery will showcase the works of renowned Oregon oil painter, the late Michael Gibbons. A special spotlight will be given to one of his many works featuring award-winning irises at Schreiner’s Iris Gardens in his painting “The New And The Old.” The painting captures moody Oregon spring skies with vivid hues of blooming irises as a weathered barn stands watch.
The Michael Gibbons Signature Gallery, located at 140 NE Alder Street, will be open from noon to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, go to www.michaelgibbons.net.
Among many other paintings that depict local scenes, the Ivan Kelly Studio & Gallery will feature an oil painting entitled “Toledo Waterfront, Summer Evening”.
“I painted this impression on a warm evening in June with the easel set up on a floating dock,” Kelly said. “Warm light on the boatyard and mill made a lovely contrast with the clouds that quickly flew across the hills beyond.”
Ivan Kelly Studio & Gallery, located at 207 East Graham Street, will be open 11 am to 5 pm on Saturday and noon to 5 pm on Sunday.
On Main Street, the Crow’s Nest Gallery & Studio will showcase the works of several artists, including founder Janet Runger’s storybook found object assemblage art.
The featured artist this month will be Val Bolen, a tile and ceramic artist.
“I love to see how light influences the glass,” she said. “I am working on a series of sunflowers, which brings me joy; I want to make people happy through these pieces during these difficult times.”
Visitors will also experience fused glass by Alice Haga; ceramics and mixed media by Paula Teplitz, including her sculptural jellyfish mobiles; digitally manipulated photography by Jeff Gibford and vivid watercolors by Tish Epperson.
Crow’s Nest Gallery & Studio is located at 305 N. Main Street and is open from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call 541-207-8088.