Birds of Central Oregon at Artists’ Gallery Sunriver

by DENI PORTER

We all hope that when you are reading this article that it is spring. The sun will be shining, there is no snow on the ground and springtime birds are singing in the trees. Those songbirds (especially the Birds of Central Oregon) are an inspiration for artists. It is a challenge to convert the joy of that birdsong into the joy a viewer feels when looking at a piece of art. Come to the Artists’ Gallery in the Sunriver Village for Second Saturday Celebration on Saturday April 8 from 4-6pm and enjoy adult beverages and great snacks while you embrace the joy of springtime art!

Featured artists in April include potter Dori Kite. Being a Bend native, Kite is inspired by nature and the out of doors. The artist redirects that inspiration into her pottery pieces. All of Kite’s pieces (including coffee cups, sake cups, ramen bowls, sushi plates, beautiful kitchen utility items, fantastic art vases and decorative pieces) are artfully crafted to a high standard. Rub your hand across the bottom of a piece and enjoy the smoothness! The artist is always mastering new glazing and firing techniques that make each piece so unique. Often pieces are of a simple colorful design, but some times a motif becomes the focus. Currently Kite is featuring crows and ravens.

Also featured is mixed media artist Sylvia Alvenius-Ford. Alvenius-Ford brings a unique perspective to her wall art with brightly colored and highly textured images. Many of those images include twittering birds among the many happy creatures that inhabit the artist’s pieces. Growing up in Africa and South America, Alvenius-Ford was heavily influenced by art in other cultures. Viewers can feel the intensity of the information that bombards the senses in third world countries. The kinesthetic quality of the pieces is sometimes enhanced by the addition of gravel, pottery shards, rope and even kitty litter!

The Artists’ Gallery is in Building 19 of the Sunriver Village — next door to the Mexican Food Restaurant.