Over the weekend of July 30-31, 2011, Astoria, Oregon hoseted its First Annual Open Studio Tour. A beautiful sunny weekend brought out many people to visit 33 Astoria artists at 18 different studios and locations throughout the peninsula. In addition, Astoria Visual Arts has an ongong event Coastal Fiberarts 2011. Contemporary weaving, quilts, baskets, wearable art, and more is on display Monday through Thursday until August 18, 2011 at Clatsop Community College Art Center Gallery. These events are part of Astoria's year-long Bicentennial Celebration
The Open Studio tour offered locals and visitors alike the opportunity to meet our local artists and see what a wealth of talented and diversity we have in Astoria's art community. I headed out Saturdayon the tour, and stopped two doors down from me at artist, Chris Bryant's beautiful studio and home. I was impressed by the energy, diversity, and beautiful clarity of her work. I was also amazed and inspired by her organization (my Virgo Moon can't create without it--organization), and would recommend stopping by her studio some time soon. She is a photographer, painter, and whimsical collagist. The range of her talents has to be seen rather than described. Her subject matter ranges from the natural beauty of her home along the river to the places she travels and visits in her search for beauty. Her painting includes oils, acrylics, pen and ink, and different schools of painting. Known as an excellent portraitist, she offers special packages for portraits for seniors and for families. Chris is also a commercial photographer who designs and produces for local businesses. She also produces videos and instructional media. Visit her website Artist, Chris Bryant, and contact her at Paradise Productions, (503) 325-3933.
Another artist whose studio I visited is watercolorist, Noel Thomas. He and his wife, poet, Pat Staton, greeted the steady stream of visitors who made their way up the stairs of 249 14th Street in downtown Astoria. Noel's studio, one of those featured in the slideshow for this article, will give you the real feel of this working artist. Noel's work table and lamp squarly in the middle of the studio, left no doubt about where the focus of his work lay. The walls of his studio are filled with a mix of sketches in progress, framed finished pieces, and a variety of wonderful pieces of works-in-progress. Light poured in from the windows that opened up to the street and the wind blew in from the river a block or two away. His dog, a sweet 2-year old, slept peacefully on a small bed set up in the corner of his office. Noel Thomas is a renowned for his water colors. His ink drawings are wonderful too, and my plan is to get a few for my own home and office. He captures, in just a few strokes, the funny and idiosyncratic quirks of those he meets and observes. His drawings are refreshing and fun.
Two other artists I met at a lovely set of galleries at 1172 Commercial Street, Suite 209, were Fiber Installation artist, painter, and gardener extraordinaire, and her fellow fiber artist, Shannon Meeker. Shannon was busy creating fiber art when I walked into the studio. Using dyed wool, Shannonwas creating art yarn figures which she said could be used on other pieces of fiber art. It was enjoyable to watch her creating. Jessica Schleif, whose gallery it is, is a Fiber Art Installation artist. She described an installation she performed as she showed me around her studio. She too, while primarily featuring her fiber art and talking about her recent installation, showed her painting, artistic rooftop garden, and a wide array of her own art as well as the art of her colleagues.
One person whom I had been wanting to visit was weaver, Margaret Thierry. Margaret was sitting at her loom, working on a beautiful piece, and was more than willing to share her art, her ideas, her studio, and ideas for how to get more involved in the local art community. I had seen her work before I met her, and heard about her way with color. Margaret loves her art, and loves to encourage others to try their hand. Fiber Artist and Weaver, Margaret Thierry For more information, visit Margaret's website.
Another artist I met was Anne Marie. Anne Marie is a painter, sculptor, and art collector. She had several of her pieces of art on display, but had a collection of Asian art, furniture, and a variety of art objects on display. One of my favorite things was a sculptor created of batik hand fans formed into a tree. Anne Marie's work and collections reflect the rich and diverse life she has lived as well as her travels.
The person who we all owe a debt of gratitude for the success of the Open Studio Tour, is Drew Herzig from the Astoria Visaul Arts. He facilitated and coordinated all the event planning and preparations, and I heard from more than one artist, "It wouldn't have come off without him, All those emails, but he got us to get this together." The Open Studio Planning Team inlcuded Drew, Sheila Brown, Cheryl Siverblatt, Charles Schweigert, Cathy Nist, Roxanne Turner, Darren Orange, and Rebecca Rubens. Tim Masuelli and Scott Leahing from Dots 'N Doodle provided meeting and exhibit space. Charles Schweigert designed the brochure and poster for this year's inaugural event, and Sheila (Kiki) Brown provided the cover art.
Astoria's First Annual Open Studio Tour was a great success, and a promising sign that Astoria's art community is becming more focused on showcasing both its artists and their art. This year the was free; hopefully next year Astoria will join other art communities by using the Open Studio Tour as a time not only to showcase artists and their work but also to raise funds to sustain the local art community. Artists are often not comfortable with marketing our own work, and it is important that we support one another and take ourselve seriously enough to realize our work has worth, beyond the aesthetic joy we get from creating. Astoria's Open Studio Tour provides a great way to support local art and artists.
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