Find some time for found objects exhibit

Find yourself among found objects at the fine arts opening of “Nature, Paper, Fiber, Found,” featuring the art of Cheri Aldrich at Newport Visual Arts Center this Friday, May 30.

An opening reception will take place on Saturday, June 7, from 1 to 3 pm, giving guests the opportunity to hear Aldrich speak about her work.

“Cheri is a local treasure,” said Chasse Davidson, director of the center. “She exemplifies a lifestyle of bringing creativity into every aspect of daily living. Her artistic career is an inspiration, and her contributions to the local art scene are truly a gift.”

Aldrich purposefully gathers materials such as sticks, stones, fiber, driftwood, seaweed, kelp, botanicals and found objects, ingeniously upcycling them into delightfully unique finished art pieces. Strongly influenced by nature, her work encompasses a diverse range of mediums, including jewelry, basketry, clay, gourds, sea kelp, paper and book arts, eco-printing, assemblage and mixed media. Self-taught and interdisciplinary, Aldrich is currently in her 50th year as a full-time artist.

“For me, creating is just as natural as breathing, eating and sleeping,” she said. “I love to wander, collect and imprint scenes, sounds and smells. Themes of nature and a love of rich textures and layers are common threads in my work. I feel that, when viewed collectively, my work has a common voice, even though the mediums are widely varied.”

The exhibit will be on display through July 27 at the Newport Visual Arts Center, located at 777 NW Beach Drive and open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 4 pm. For more information, go to coastarts.org or call 541-265-6540.