Saturday, April 10, was an explosive day in what is fast becoming the Carmel of the Oregon coast. It's no longer Florence, folks, it's Florescence! And its wattage is increasing day by day.In 1995, according to a prominent if rascally art aficionado, there were two art galleries in Florence; today there are 15. First-rate galleries in Old Town, on the highway, and through-out the area display accomplished artwork by
painters, photographers, potters, and sculptors, all for the pleasure of residents and visitors and the artists themselves.
In the past couple of years an organization has emerged to promote this artwork - the Gallery Association for Learning and Art- GALA for short because it is a festive group, not a pedantic bunch of art historians. This year, GALA began a series of Art Walks featuring three or four or more different galleries each month. Technically, some of the excursions are Art Rides since the Rhody Express bus is provided for transportation from gallery to gallery. It is great fun to ride with like-minded folks, enjoy the sights, and not worry about parking. And, best of all, it's free, and there's no obligation to buy anything. Although, if something strikes your fancy, the artist will be glad to talk with you about a purchase plan. That's another plus to the Art Walks - generally, the artists are present to talk informally to visitors and answer questions and divulge trade secrets.
Anyway, Saturday's event was an all-day art party, with four galleries on the Art Walk and three more hosting receptions. Art events in Florence are not only aesthetic delights, they are gustatory feasts as well, nourishment for body and soul, the palette and the palate, as it were. The grazing included more cheese than the Tillamook factory, many-splendored crackers, breads, popcorn, fruits, veggies and dips, Kimberly's to-die-for (low carb) Silver Lining Wraps, caviar-salmon-and-cream-cheese hors d'oeuvres at the Bakery Café complemented by lemon squares, and a wondrous potpourri of pleasure at Axis, all accompanied by beverages including wine and champagne.
No one ever said art aficionados must starve for the pleasure of art!
The party started from 1 to 3 p.m. at the pristine River Gallery which this month features photography by Jacquie Wagenschutz, vibrant daffodils, larger than life, to fill your heart with springtime joy. The gallery also features beautiful wood bowls and objets d'art turned to perfection on the lathe of Jack Hibbs, in addition to the many and varied artworks in its ongoing collection.
The Art Walk started at the FEC gallery, where everyone parked their cars and left the driving to the Rhody Express. Bob Sanov's black and white photos of desert sands, ghost towns, and ancient ruins are exquisite. Ansel Adams' spirit lingers above the show, astonished at the extraordinary images. Equally sublime is the pit-fired pottery in the display case by superceramicist Mike Schwartz. Also at the FEC was a one-day show of colorful splash-in-the-pan abstracts by local artist Ho Bo Don Tate.
The jolly bus full of residents and visitors rolled up the highway to the Gallery Above the Silver Lining Boutique, a cozy upstairs, intimate gallery that invites you to relax and enjoy its arty ambiance. Once again, spectacular photos were on display, this time by Dave Beale. Art Walkers were greeted with lighthouses, roses, trees with hidden faces, bridges, panoramic views of Florence on the Siuslaw, a striking heron that looked for all the world like a drawing, and Reflecting Innocence, a radiant pastel light show that we could have sworn was a panting if not digitally enhanced. However, the photographer assured us it was absolutely natural, a unique moment of water and light captured on the Yachats River. If you look closely, he said, you can see an angel child in the center of the picture.After indulging in the bountiful table of comestibles, watched over by a group of wise men, painted by Katheryn Davis, it was on to the library lobby for an intriguing display of Bev Hoberg's miniature book collection - teeny, tiny books with actual text including the Bible, the Koran, and the Talmud, as well as novels, almanacs, and a leather-bound set of Shakespeare that would fit in your hand. There is even a teeny tiny bookcase to house the books! We wished Bev had been there to tell us how she got started collecting and where she found these minuscule marvels, and we itched to have the glass case opened so we could touch the little gems.
The library lobby also features pencil drawings and colorful paintings by Becky Lynch - wonderful horses, cars, jeeps, and motorcycles that take on a life of their own. Becky is a recent high school graduate. It's quite possible her work will have another showing at Art Like A Wheel, the charming gallery that specializes in auto art.
The art riders who had by now developed a special camaraderie concluded the tour at the Oregon Coast Bakery and Café, where Allan Grossman is the featured artist. Allan was not present; after seeing his artwork, we suspect he had a show in a parallel universe. Allan's drawings include Space Faces, ET-like physiognomies surrounded by colors and random numbers and letters and spaceships. Allan also displays what he calls Lame Art, bright colored, ornately decorated walking sticks, canes, and crutches. One of Florence's eclectic artists called the work aboriginal. Who needs Hubble Telescope when you can commune with the cosmos through Allan's faces while nibbling caviar and drinking champagne!
The bus returned to the FEC and we set off on our own to Art Like A Wheel, which features a fabulous collection of photos of race cars by the late Gary Schmidt and intense paintings by his protégé, Uli Hack, guaranteed to start your engines. It seems all artists have at one time or another painted vehicles, and many of their vehicular works appear at the gallery, including photos by Jacquie Wagenschutz and paintings by John DeVoe and Beryl Adams.
The final art reception that day was at the Axis Gallery, known for its exciting, avant-garde presentations. The gallery features soaring metal sculptures and magnified furniture by David Thompson and painterly photographs by Kirk Jonasson, such as the weedy greens in front of the rusty orange object, and Stephanie Mohler's Retro Rustic paintings and mixed media assemblages.
The next best thing about art in Florence is that it's available to view all the time, with special shows each month in many of the galleries. Of course you don't always get to meet the artists; to do that, you have to take the Art Walk. Art Walks are held on the second Saturday of every month, with the next one set for May 8. Stay tuned for information about the featured galleries and set your sites for a GALA time. Because you're invited to the next party.
- Burney Garelick
© 2005 All Rights Reserved. Burney Garelick, The Siuslaw News, Florence, Oregon.
This article may not be reprinted or linked to without permission from the writer, Burney Garelick, and The Siuslaw News.