Kelp is at hand
Seaweed and ceramics share the spotlight in Newport double-header
Check out a broad mixture of ceramic forms and firing techniques then explore some tidepool paintings at two new exhibits: “Kelp and Tidepools of the Pacific Northwest,” featuring the oil paintings of Becky Miller and “A Little of This, A Little of That” featuring ceramics by Chasse Davidson, both opening the at Newport Visual Arts Center this Friday, June 13.
The exhibits will have a simultaneous opening reception from 5 to 7 pm on Friday, with light refreshments, an artist talk by Miller at 5:30 pm and live music.
Davidson will also give a free wheel-throwing demonstration on Wednesday, June 18, from 6 to 8 pm.
Miller’s botanical paintings, particularly of kelp, offer a unique blend of realism and abstraction, combining her love for detail, design and flowing lines with her passion for the natural world. Obsessed with creating art for as long as she can remember, she spent two years as an art major studying painting and drawing under Roger Blum and design, composition and art history under John Carstens at Pacific Union College. She also studied the human figure for several years at Hipbone Studio in Portland under Jeff Burke. Her first four kelp paintings won awards at the 2010 Celebrate Arts show in Florence.
“I am blown away by the realism and scale of Becky Miller’s paintings,” said Davidson, who also serves as the center’s director. “Her ability to capture the slickness of seaweed makes me want to reach out and touch the artwork. We are thrilled to welcome her back to Newport.”
Miller’s exhibit will be on display through July 27 in the center’s main floor Runyan Gallery.
On the second floor, Davidson’s masterful ceramics will be on display through July 27 in the Coastal Oregon Visual Artists Showcase, marking the first time since taking on the director role that her own work will comprise an exhibit.
“From the beginning, I knew I wanted to share my passion for ceramics with others,” she said. “My early work was sculpting, pertaining heavily to the female form. Then, in 2000, while attending Chemeketa Community College, I began my love affair with wheel throwing. I continued my education and focus in ceramics at Western Oregon University, where I received my Bachelor of Science in Studio Art in 2005. My connection to the earthy element of clay now included a deep fascination with the open flame firing technique. I couldn’t get enough. If I wasn’t working with clay, I was thinking about it.”
The exhibit offers a broad mixture from functional pottery to decorative Raku, including wheel-thrown and slab work.
The Newport Visual Arts Center is located at 777 NW Beach Drive and is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 4 pm.
For more information, go to coastarts.org or call 541-265-6540.