Just a few miles north of the Wild Rivers Coast is the charming coastal town of Bandon, Oregon. There are several wonderful galleries to visit as well as shopping for handmade crafts, jewelry, and other unique items.
For an update on what's happening in Bandon, here's a letter from Sage Gallery:
Hello SAGE friends
I hope you have been enjoying the wonderful spring weather and the brilliant blossoms on Bandon's favorite shrub (well, weed actually), gorse, of course!
We have a fantastic view for you, on the inside of the Gallery this time! Yes, the 44th Annual Transparent Watercolor Traveling Exhibit is up through the first week of April and we are so greateful to Victoria Tierney who arranged, with the Watercolor Society of Oregon, to make SAGE the final destination for these fantastic works!
Just in case you forgot to save the date last month, here's your reminder: You are invited to join us for a reception this Sunday, March 7th, 2-5pm. Beginning at 3pm, SAGE is delighted to have Coos Bay artist, Donna Wright, demonstrating her unique watercolor "pouring" technique.
Donna's work is currently on exhibit at the Women's Imaging Center in Coos Bay, as well as at SAGE. Donna also teaches at SOCC; you won't want to miss her demo. Send your friends, too, our address is 390 First St. SW, Suite 2D, Bandon; just tell them to look for the big white building with the red roof, at the river's edge in Old Town.
SO, HERE'S WHAT ELSE WE'VE BEEN UP TO...
Most of you know that we don't sit still very well over here and this month has been no different, although we always think it will be.
WITH THE LITTLE ARTISTS...
We have been busy bringing arts and crafts activities to the Youth Center, twice a month and the kids are really beginning to anticipate our visits. Last week one of Bandon's bright young elementary students, David, lead the lesson and we created frogs birds and other wonderful "alien critters"
from walnut shells, feathers and similar funny stuff. David is incredibly creative and a true role model for the other kids! SAGE is very appreciative of the opportunity to participate with the Youth Center; we thank Director Harv Schubothe who works so hard to bring all kinds of support and experiences to Bandon's youth.
AND THE BIG ARTISTS...
have also been having the most delightful time on Tuesday evenings participating after hours with Angela Pozzi and many wonderful volunteers who come together for the "Washed Ashore" project at Art 101. I recently had a moment to communicate with Angela about the incredible social, cultural and artistic impact of her community recycling art project and I'm in awe of her abilities, not only an artist, but also an organizer and visionary. For at least a decade, while I taught Art History, I told my students the next major movement in art would be purpose-driven. By that I mean art that demands of its audience, not only reflection upon the human condition and our impact upon the world around us, but also action in re-defining human purpose and creating art that motivates us to live purposefully, as individuals and collective society. Angela Pozzi and "Washed Ashore" bring exactly those concepts to life; if you haven't participated yet, you're missing out!
ON THE TOPIC OF ART HISOTRY...
The Coos Art Museum has invited me back as a guest lecturer next Thursday, March 11, at 7 pm. This time the topic is "Five Symbols, Five Thousand Years". I hope you will join me as we explore art and symbolic representations that exemplify commonalities across cultural boundaries. Last month Steven Broocks, CAM's Director, gave a fabulous talk on the art and culture of ancient Egypt. I will again be jumping in where Steven left off and bringing you all the way into art of the 21st century, including the art of recent film releases.
On the topic of CAM, you won't want to miss the incredible work that has just gone up; the museum is, again alive with the creative talents of children in its biennial exhibit.
Thanks to Steven, Karen Hammer, Emily Ashworth, and all of CAM's wonderful volunteers for their hard work and dedication to our young artists.
SO, HOW'S THAT BUILDING COMING ALONG?
Transformed is the word that comes to mind! Everyday is a new direction; Ralph Leshin and his non-stop teams of sub-contractors are truly amazing...we're aiming for mid summer. The building is bathed in light, with the addition of many new windows, and Cheryl Franich, SAGE's stained glass instructor, has been busy building my designs into glass realities that will capture the full spectrum of color!
BY THE WAY, WHAT IS UP WITH THOSE CLASSES?
Well, our 4=5 program has really been taking off! We've had several private workshops arranged by friends who want to get together for a creative, right-brained day or night out and we are loving it! You bring the group, four friends plus yourself, and get your own tuition free. We can provide workshops in almost any media, just give us a call (541) 329-0103
And for those who just want to drop in and join us to meet new creative friends, we have some great classes this month.
We are also busily working with teachers to develop a HUGE range of workshops to launch this summer in our new classroom, located at 525 11th St.SE.
Keep an eye out for flameworking, fusing, metalsmithing, digital imaging, mosaic, print making, textile, and alternative technique classes to arrive this summer and early fall. In the mean time...
MARCH JEWELRY CLASSES...
ARE YOU JUST A LITTLE BIT IRISH? "Go for the Green", wire wrapping with Sharon Martin will take place at SAGE on March 17th; aye, it's St Patty's, and we will be celebrating our luck and living it up with a green theme. Cost is $35 with a $3 materials fee. Call to reserve your space.
OLD WORLD PEARLS Saturday March 27th, 12-3 pm, with Patrice Quinn. Cost $35, bring your own supplies, or purchase at SAGE; Patrice will capture your beading heart with her beautifully simple, elegant pearl bracelet design. Great for beginners, or advanced, call to reserve your space.
WATERCOLOR PAINTING...
"Pour It On" with Donna Wright, Saturday, March 20th, 12-3 pm. Cost $35 plus $5 materials fee.
Pick up where Donna's reception demo leaves off. Explore watercolors in a way you never thought possible, pour on the paint, pull out the details. Reserve early!
ADVENTURES IN GLASS...
STAINED GLASS with CHERYL begins again on March 23rd.
Cheryl's classes meet for 6 weeks on Tuesdays and you can sign up for either the 2-5pm afternoon class, or the 5:30-8:30 evening class. Tuition is $105. Supplies are available in the SAGE Giftshop.
MICROWAVE GLASS FUSING FUN NEVER ENDS, in this SAGE favorite.
Spend the day playing with color, glass and good friends.
$20 Thursday, March 25th, 12-4 pm.
COMING IN APRIL...LOOM BEADING, DRAWING ON HISTORY, MOSAIC MADNESS and much much MORE!!!
BEFORE I SAY GOODBYE...
I just want to thank the artists of Bandon who come together so wonderfully to support the community and each other all throughout the year. Many local artists, Victoria Tierney, Susan Lehman, Kirk Day, Kelle Herrick, Susan and Steve Dimock, Joann Drapkin, Ava Richey, Marli Durgan, Angela Pozzi, and Vicki Affatati, to name just a few, generously donate their work and time throughout the year to fundraisers such as those recently held to help support programs like the Bandon Community Youth Center, and individuals facing challenges, such as Carol Adams and Frannie Toon. The arts are truly a unifying force, locally and worldwide and to see such a concentration of that spirit in Bandon is what inspires us here at SAGE.
Hope to see you Sunday,
Anne
SAGE GALLERY
390 First ST SW Suite 2D
Bandon, OR 97411
541-329-0103
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