After a phenomenal year ablaze with fine art, Florence's first footing in 2005 was a high-stepping whirl into a wonderland of visual virtuosity. They don't call it a GALA Art Walk for nothing.
However, at a quarter to three on January 8, the situation looked dismal. So far, the day had been a maelstrom of rain, hail, sleet, and snow with perhaps a blink of blue sky and a twinkle of sunshine. The Florence Events Center parking lot, where the Art Walk begins, was empty, save for the bright yellow sports car of Art Walk leader Jan Jagoe. But there was no cause to fret after all. Within 15 minutes the empty gallery filled with art aficionados who soon boarded the art shuttle bus for a visit to six local galleries.
The bus, provided by Carol and Lynn Unser, was comfortably inhabited by good vibrations from the many diverse and happy Elderhostel excursions conducted by the affable couple, who are as delighted to participate in the Art Walks as their passengers. All seats filled quickly, and a few art tourists including Jan, stood during the short hops from gallery to gallery. A lot of other art partyers, undeterred by the protean weather caldron, used their own transportation, because all six galleries were filled to overflowing with exuberant camaraderie. 'Twas really remarkable.
Jan, who owns The River Gallery and is also an excellent artist, blew her deer horn whistle, and the GALA Art Walk was under way. With the exception of a short hike from Frames of Florence to Oliver's Art, the Art Walk was actually a ride, from door to door, so that nary a drop of rain touched art partyers.
This month's event included an opulence of oil painting in what often seems the purview of watercolor. Oil stylists include Monte Rogers at Frames, Weldon Oliver and his students at Oliver's, and Corine Knox of Eugene at the FEC. Watercolor was represented by Pat Romanov at the Oregon Coast Bakery, while the Florence Arts & Crafts Association offered a potpourri at the library, and the Siuslaw Viewfinders displayed extraordinary photographs at The Silver Lining Gallery. To heighten the rich and artful diversity, Martha Christian of Los Angeles filled the FEC display case with radiant and elegant designer jewelry. Of course all this artwork is available to peruse throughout the month, and gallery owners invite visitors. No obligation. But the festive community of art walkers and artists and edibles only happens on second Saturdays from 3 to 5 p.m.
If it's true that restaurants frequented by long-distance truckers are superior eateries, then Florence Art Walks are superior aesthetic experiences, because each month more and more local artists participate, whether or not they are featured at any of the galleries.
Art and controversy have never been strangers. Very often controversial artwork becomes traditional masterwork. The latest Florence controversy involved a witty political collage hung, removed, and rehung in the library lobby, along with a sculptural caption posted, removed, and reposted under a painting. FACA is longtime Florence organization of local artists who meet monthly to share arts, crafts, discussions, and potlucks, and put on art shows during the year.
The collage in question, created by visual iconoclast and FACA member Marilyn Durst, features a puppet-like Dubya with a chest full of medals from which dangle tiny skulls. The Mosaic painting is by Birgitt Lyon, FACA member and exceptional photographer, who often combines her visual manifestations with verse.
Freedom of expression prevailed, and both works hang for the pleasure and provocation of viewers, along Ona Dehne's collage, a political retrospective of 2004, and Jan Jagoe's erotic Fleur, as well as landscapes and seascapes and all manner of flora and fauna. Artists include longtime FACA member and award winner Bernie Herr and relative and promising newcomer Diana Brandt. FACA is egalitarian and inclusive.
Like poet Robert Frost, Pat Romanov is a swinger of birches. While Frost portrayed experience in words and his cousin, Jack, uses ice and snow, Pat uses watercolor, surrounding the black and white trees in yellows and reds. Her artwork also includes souvenirs of the Big Sky Country, where she is often home on the range where the buffalo roam. Pat's precise and nuanced brush strokes capture the serenity of grazing bison and elk, a covered bridge, and leafy patterns, contrasted with jubilant, many-splendored orchids from south of the border down Mexico way. Steel magnolias indeed. This busy septuagenarian not only fills canvases with nature's bounty, she transforms actors and stages, at this time directing The Vagina Monologues for February production. And Pat just returned from a mission in Cuba, along with Florentine flutist Sharon Enga and other Unitarian Universalists.
As much as art partyers enjoy lingering among the culinary majesties at the Oregon Coast Bakery - which served crab quiche in tiny pastry shells and lemony snicket bars - and The Silver Lining, the enchanting oils at three galleries must also be savored.
Although he lives in North Bend, Monte Rogers is fast-becoming a Florence artist. Vibrant color, action, and humanity describe Monte's artwork. Among his carousel horses and children above average is an outstanding depiction of four senior gents sitting on a park bench, all distinct individuals immersed in their own reveries. Bloody Good To Be Retired. Frames owner Jeannie Owen joined the culinary crafters with luscious salmon and crab cracker spread, because art walking builds appetites.
Florence art is always a work in progress, and that is demonstrated at Oliver's gallery, studio, and classroom. During this Art Walk, a class was in session, with a half dozen participants of all ages and genders growing landscapes according to Oliver, whose gentle instruction guarantees pleasure with the palette, not to mention new members for FACA.
Cori Knox, the FEC's featured artist, displays a wall of affirmation, pleasing paintings to greet each day. Her award-winning wolf painting respects the power and integrity of the animals yet makes them approachable, and viewers long to tousle their fur like big friendly dogs. Cori's frog is especially delightful and has been so well received she may embark upon an opus of amphibians.
Natural disasters and wartime casualties are somewhat mitigated by the Florence aesthetic. This proliferation of the arts is cause for celebration and hope for the peaceful proliferation of humankind. And this is only January!
Come springtime, a bigger bus will be appropriate - a London double decker. Just imagine! Of course a little traveling music would fuel the fun, and resident Brit, pianoman Eric Rees would be perfect. After all, the Eric Rees Trio played in the New Year at Thai Tulay, the exotic, spicy, and fulfilling Florence bistro. Improvisational Eric's compadres are dapper Dan Pavlis tapping the traps and droll Ron Adkins plucking the bass and blowing French horn and flute, though not simultaneously. When it comes to the arts in Florence, foggy days give way to blue skies every time.
- 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.
