FROM THE
Gallery
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE VALLEY ART ASSOCIATION
Valley Art Gallery 2022 Main Street Forest Grove, Oregon 503•357•3703 www.valleyart.org Hours: Mon.–Sat., 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., and other hours on special occasions. Valley Art is dedicated to supporting working artists, encouraging beginning artists, exhibiting exceptional artwork and offering art classes to the community at affordable prices. Board meetings are held monthly at the gallery on the fourth Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. They are open to all who might like to attend. Along with the first downtown Farmer’s Market, First Wednesday events begin on May at Valley Art with a Blizzard Wines tasting.
New artists featured in 'Colors From Nature' show at Valley Art Gallery
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ur artists during May/ June at Valley Art will be JoAnn Pari-Mueller, Anya Doll and Dave Haak. Also on May 4, the first Wednesday Downtown Farmer’s Market will begin. The market is open from 4-8 p.m. and features artisan breads, home grown prepared products, plants for the early spring garden and much more. Entertainment is offered weekly, too. Valley Art Gallery will mark the first Downtown Market with vintners from Blizzard Wines. Come sample their fine product along with delicious nibbles in the gallery. You can visit with neighbors and our featured artists, who will be on hand to demonstrate how they work in their various media. Wood artist, Dave Haak, says, “I love working with beautiful hardwoods, using both matching and contrasting
Prayer flags, Anya Doll
Watercolors, JoAnn Pari-Mueller
Table of Contents
May/June Featured Artists........ 1-3 Gallery Attendants ......................... 2 First Wednesday ............................. 2 Membership Month....................... 2 50th Anniversary history.............. 3 Classes ............................................. 4-5 FGHS Art Student Reception ����� 6 You are Needed............................... 6 Valley Art Board List....................... 7 Caught My Eye................................. 8 Upcoming Shows............................ 8
MAY/JUNE 2016
Wooden cutting boards and trays, Dave Haak
woods to create woodcrafted art that is useful and appeals to the mind’s eye. “For me, woodworking is therapeutic … both relaxing & enjoyable. “I hope my work speaks to you, and helps you to appreciate some of the beautiful wood I have had the pleasure of working with.” His work does appeal to us, and anyone seeing these items in person will realize the care and attention he has put into them. Artist Anya Doll’s fiber free-style machine stitched prayer flags appeal to us all, too, with their Continued on page 2
Colors From Nature artists, continued from page 1
Gallery Attendants — thank you!
artistic rendition and deeper meanings: “Walking through the darkest places, a loved one’s mental illness can often require more of a couple than one of them can give. That is until two years ago, when I turned an old love for ‘painting with thread’ that is freestyle machine stitching of collaged fibers. “My pain was channeled into creating prayer flags. As my husband’s illness worsened, the flags — each with its own intention or prayer — taught me how to better love him and myself under dire circumstances. “Seeking the gifts in great challenges, I peel back the layers of the human experience to look at what is hidden. Once an experience is named, I layer fibers and fabrics into textured collages, then ‘paint’ details with freestyle machine Faith stitching. Those gifts become the theme or intention. Each flag stands alone or they can be tied together. Creating each prayer flag is a journey of love and letting go and listening.” Anya goes on to give us some history: “Inspired by Buddhist Prayer Flags, those I create carry mantras or prayers in their images and in the making. Because messages of compassion and peace are believed to be carried upon wind that blows past Traditional Flags, through time, as the fiber is worn and pieces are carried by the elements, mantras and intentions are believed to join the universe creating deeper harmony and peace. “Though mounted with finished backgrounds, the images depicted in my flags are uneven or unbound by the limits of the four sides. The already frayed edge symbolizes an intention of harmony and
alley Art members would like to thank our volunteers who serve as gallery sales associates: Marcia Alajoki, Marilyn Amey, Joan Bolen, Bev Camp, Caroline Dau, Carol Dean, Betty Farr, Eloise Green, Marge Hayes, Jerry Hoerber, Margaret Hoerber, Jobina Lacock, Bev Lundin, Linda Mann, Dianne Muhly, Jan Peiffer, Paul Rasmussen, Mary Stare, Rita Smith, Fran Strachan, Nita Stewart, Mary Welch and Maureen Wellborn. You help us keep our doors open and make artist sales happen.
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May/June 2016
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First Wednesday in Forest Grove - May 4th blends Farmer’s Market, wine, art
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n Wednesday, May 4, the Downtown Forest Grove Farmers Market will open for the 2016 season. On that day Valley Art Gallery will welcome our featured artists for May/June: Dave Haak, JoAnn Pari-Mueller and Anya Doll. Blizzard Wines will offer a wine tasting, Valley Art’s reception committee will have snacks and our artists will demonstrate their art making skills. During your visit to the market, come in to the gallery and enjoy beautiful art and visiting with your neighbors.
May is Membership Month at Valley Art
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ay has been Membership Month for the last two or three years at Valley Art. If you enjoy shopping at Valley Art and appreciate our goals and the challenges we have met during the past 50 years, it’s time to become a member and help support this all-volunteer, nonprofit business in Forest Grove. You can purchase an individual membership in the gallery for $15, or a family membership for $25. When you become a member, you automatically receive receive the bi-monthly newsletter (like this one) in the mail or online. A family membership comes in handy during the September Chalk Art Festival, saving you money on the admission fee. You are also eligible to attend Member’s Night at the Annual Artist Event in November, with a discount on everything purchased that evening. There are also some discounts on - or free - classes for members. Please become a member this May - or anytime - and support art, art education and artists. Thank you!
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Looking back with Jim & Judi Zaleski —
Colors From Nature artists, continued from page 2
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peace that doesn’t require disintegration of the art. “Ninety-five percent recycled materials create a sense of communal spirit to these pieces. The use of fibers and fabrics previously cast off expands the element of the human condition in the flags. It is at once delightful and profound to create light, color, images and connections … new stories in this way. I have a deep appreciation for creative chaos. In art, as in life, the unexpected place hides beneath its layers, great depths of sacredness and beauty and love.” Our third artist is JoAnn Pari-Mueller who records her world view in watercolors. She has a BS in nursing, a masters in health education and, starting in 2009, has taken numerous art and calligraphy courses. JoAnn trained to be a Portland Art Museum Docent and belongs to the Watercolor Society of Oregon. JoAnn says, “My father ran a garden shop, my mother was an artist, and although I came to making art later in life, the seeds had been planted early. “The air, land and water all provide an abundance of subject matter just waiting to be captured with the richness of watercolors, chalk pastels and calligraphy (‘beautiful writing’). From the mundane to the exotic, I am driven to put my ‘spin’ on things I see in my daily life, on travels, or in my imagination.” —JoAnn’s tiger watercolor is below— Be sure to come and meet our artists on the First Wednesday, May 4th. Their official reception will be on Saturday, May 14, from 2-4 p.m. Please join us to give a warm welcome to these fine artists.
by Skip Buhler and Jan Peiffer
ver our 50 years of creating and sharing art with the community, Valley Art has grown from a small group of 12 to a large family of supporters, artists, teachers, patrons and art appreciators numbering in the hundreds. Two members of our extended family – Jim and Judi Zaleski – have seen many of the big changes we’ve gone through. They were there in the early years, and see great things for our future. Jim Zaleski came to Forest Grove in 1968 as a VISTA volunteer. He worked on a migrant project and was delighted to find a college town with an art gallery right across the street: “I’ve always had a creative bent, and up to that point I never had an outlet to express that. Here I found a bunch of people with a similar passion, with ideas and enthusiasm, and I was drawn to that.” The Valley Art sign hung at its first home on Pacific and Cedar and welcomed Jim to take classes and meet like minds. “Pearl Wright, Naomi Steinberg, John Lawrence and John Horns were the main core of the group at that time, and they attracted many students, like myself. They gave VAA the energy it needed. They were the love and grit of the organization. Pearl and Naomi were probably the two most responsible for starting VAA, and for keeping it going in those early years.” Meanwhile, Judi Mar was earning her Bachelors of Science in education at Pacific University: “I was getting my degree in elementary education, and writing my final paper on developing an art program for children outside of school. John Horns was my instructor, who was on the VAA board. I was interested in pottery and started taking classes, first from Pearl Wright and then with Judy Teufel at the gallery.” Jim took classes with John Lawrence: “That was my only art training up to that point. The classes were perfect; about 10 or 12 students.” The two met at Pacific, at a social gathering, and have been best friends since. After VAA moved from the Chet’s Market location, Judi helped as a teacher’s aide in the summer camps held at the next location, the old McCready car museum (currently the site of Parr Lumber’s stacks). This was in the early 70s, and Judi assisted the instructors Torii Long and Judy Teufel: “After we got that building, we went to inspect it, and the overhead globes in the light fixtures were full of rain water, which had seeped in through a leaky roof over many years. The place needed a lot of work. But we got it cleaned up and made repairs. We had our wedding reception there.” Both Judi and Jim served on the board many times, Jim beginning in 1970, and he started the Art Supply Store: “The VAA board was talking about the difficulty in getting supplies from Portland, and John Lawrence suggested starting a buyer’s club. After we got our first order, it dawned on me that we could sell the supplies out of the gallery. We found a Portland firm, C2F, and we sold paints, Valley Art Association
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VALLEY ART Classes, Workshops & Groups • May/June
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ONGOING CLASSES: Quilting Studio - Fridays, 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. This is an ongoing class and may be joined at any time. All levels, from beginning to advanced, are welcome. This is the time to do your own work, get expert advice on a special project, and meet with other local quilters. Join the fun! Register in person at the gallery on Friday. Cost is $28/year for Valley Art members and $43/year for non-members. Forest Grove Camera Club - Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. except first Wednesday. The Forest Grove Camera Club is a member of the Photographic Society of America (PSA) and the Columbia Council of Camera Clubs. The club participates in a variety of competitions, evaluations and provides programs as well as field trips. To join, contact instructor Carol Berget at cberget@msn.com. Cost is $25 annual membership / $5 students / $10 associate memberships. Oil Painting workshop/class - First and third Tuesdays, May 3, 17; June 7, 21. OPB’s Artbeat-featured instructor Irilla Swanson teaches adults water-soluble oil painting from 1-3 p.m. All professional materials are provided: water-soluble oil paint, oil painting paper and brushes. The instructor provides examples from nature, and helps you capture your own ideas from your photos. Step-by-step demos for beginners; problem-solving and direction for experienced painters. Cost is $120 for three-month session ($20 per class). To register, email irillaswanson@comcast.net, or call 503-285-4399. Team Art: Creativity by Association - Every other Thursday of the month for Valley Art members. Gather together with like souls to work on art or craft projects, pros or beginners. We'll meet May 5 and 19, and June 2, 16 and 30, from 10 a.m. to noon. Come to the back door and ring the bell. Bring a project to work on. There's a one-time yearly cost of $15 for a Valley Art membership. All help and inspiration is free! You will make new friends and learn new techniques. To register, email education@valleyart.org. Questions? Call 503-341-9701 for more information. POTTERY: Saturday Pottery Classes (age 16 and up) with Christine Hurayt - Saturdays, May 14 - July 2, 1 - 4 p.m. Tuition for Valley Art members is $110, and non-members is $120. Learn to make pottery on the wheel or hand build with slabs and coils. Class is for new and returning students. Clay is $13 - $15 per bag. Tool kits are $15 each. You must bring your own towel and apron. Class limited to 10; sign up soon! Valley Art memberships are available at the front desk. Email instructor at huraytc@gmail.com to register. Remember please, this is a teaching studio, so no production work or outside clay is allowed. Friday Pottery Classes (age 6-12) with Holly Boerner - Fridays, May 6 - June 10, 10 a.m. - noon - for six weeks. Tuition is $80. Learn to make pottery using hand building methods with slabs, coils and stamps. We will be building FOUR fun projects together, as well as glazing our creations with fun, bright colors. Class size is limited to 8 students, so sign up soon! Please contact instructor at hollyboerner7@gmail.com to register for this class. ONE DAY WORKSHOPS Watercolor Tune-Up with JoAnn Pari-Mueller, Saturday, May 14, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Get those paints out of storage! Come jump-start your creativity with a fun, hands-on day of paints, papers, brushes, mixing and applying watercolor in interesting ways, and more. Bring a bag lunch and the watercolor supplies you have and go from there. JoAnn uses watercolors, pastels, and calligraphy and is one of the May-June featured artists. Cost is $50 for the day. A minimum of six people is needed for the class to be held. Contact JoAnn at hungarianjo@aol.com or call her at 503-324-4441 to register by May 7th. Woven Boho Bag with Valerie Donley – Wednesday, May 18, 6 - 9 p.m. Val will teach a weaving class that’s easy to learn and very portable. You will make a boho bag, or small “fairy bag” as some call them, for your cell phone or other small personal items. See a picture of a sample bag on our website under “classes.” Cost is $40. Bring a pair of scissors; all other supplies provided. Limited to eight participants. Register by email to education@valleyart.org, with “Boho” in the subject line. 4
May/June 2016
valleyart.org
Let's Face It with Theresa Weil, Saturday, May 21, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., $38. A supply list is provided in the gallery or online at valleyart.org. Theresa’s studied fine art and design, graduated and worked more than 20 years as a graphic designer. She encourages her students to take risks, relax and have fun with their vision, while being open to the surprising process of creativity. An $18 down payment on the class will hold your place. Register in the gallery or email education@valleyart.org with "Face It" in the subject line. Class limited to 10. Workshops with Elise Wahl, Saturday, June 4th • Native Wildflower Greeting Cards, 10 a.m. - noon. See wildflowers in a different light with this part-botany, part-illustration class. There is often a biological purpose for the structures, shapes, and colors of wildflowers. Instructor Elise Wahl will guide you to see native wildflowers with both a scientific and an artistic eye as you create a set of botanically-inspired greeting cards using pastels on black paper. All materials provided. Cost is $25. Register by email at elise@timberdoodlestudio.com, with “Wildflower Cards” in the subject line. • T-shirt Necklaces, 1-3 p.m. Turn an old T-shirt into a modern and fun necklace! We will start with the basics of creating T-shirt yarn, which we will then fold, braid and decorate by stringing beads. Walk away with your new favorite accessory! We will also look at other necklace ideas to create at home. All materials provided. Cost is $20. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Register by email at elise@timberdoodlestudio.com, with “T-shirt Necklace” in the subject line. -- Elise Wahl is an award-winning illustrator, designer and writer who creates educational materials about natural and cultural history. She runs her own interpretive media business called Timberdoodle Studio and loves to share her passion for art & nature through teaching. She holds a BFA in Art & Technology and an MS in Natural Resources. Check out her work at TimberdoodleStudio.com
Free Kids Classes, Saturdays, June 11, “Wild Decorated Paper,” & June 18, “Sticks and Stones Book,”
both from 1-3 p.m. - Sign up by email (education@valleyart.org) or in person at the gallery. Reserve a spot for your child, 6-11 years. We will do age-appropriate art projects with paint, brush, brayer and paper. Kids will learn how to use new tools to manipulate various media and create their own great work of art. Ten spaces for each class are available. Sign up soon. - taught by Valley Art volunteers
2016 Kids Summer Art Camp Monday to Friday, July 25- July 29 and August 1 - August 5. Camp is from 9 a.m. – 12 noon for ages 6-11. New activities each day (painting, clay work, drawing and sewing) will keep your art-loving child engaged and interested. Children will come away with knowledge of how to apply different media, try various techniques and processes and will learn more about the visual arts in relation to history and culture. Pre-registration required. Limited to 10 students, each session. Pick up a parental permission form and return it to the gallery by July 18 deadline. Contact Jeanne Levy, 503-341-9701, for more information. Cost is $75 each weekly session per child; first sibling, $50. Register and prepay at Valley Art Gallery.
Be sure to check our website, valleyart.org, and click on "Classes." There, we will show photos of our instructors, have a short instructor bio and a picture of the finished class project. Register for the classes soon so you won't miss out!
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Valley Art Association
May/June 2016
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Gallery welcomes students
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n March 12, as part of its commitment to encouraging beginning artists, the Gallery hosted a show and reception for the Forest Grove High School art students. The group’s show was up until the end of April. At right is Bradley Flores-Torres in front of his self-portrait. Many parents and community members gathered to see the work and praise the artists.
Valley Art needs volunteers, board members
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erhaps you haven't heard? Valley Art is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Do you have an interest in the direction Valley Art will take for its next 50 years? Perhaps serving on Valley Art’s board would be an excellent opportunity for you! We meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Call Marcia Alajoki (Nomination Committee Chair), if interested, at 503-3578985. Thank you! If you have a few extra hours a month, Valley Art needs you. We need assistance in so many areas and most of those will require fewer than three hours of commitment on any individual's part. Most tasks for volunteers take more commitment than talent on your part. At the moment we have need of extra helpers in: Mailing - This requires one morning every other month. (See? Really not much of a time commitment) We meet at Valley Art, and sort, fold and label the newsletter for mailing. This job is important, in that the newsletter keeps our members informed about what is happening at Valley Art! Display - This category can be split into two different categories. The first being “general upkeep.” This entails keeping the shelves clean with artists’ work showing to the best advantage. Committees - All of our committees can use some new assistance and ideas. Education - Helping to find teachers and students for our classes is important to Valley Art since offering affordable art education is part of our goal.
Forest Grove High School art teacher Philip Thias (below, at far left) was in charge of gathering the artwork and submitting information to Valley Art about each artist’s work.
Receptions - Each new “Featured Artists Show” has an opening day when the artists are present to greet the Valley Arts guests who have come to see the new show. During the artist receptions we host with light refreshments and drinks (i.e. hors d’oeuvres, coffee, punch, etc.) Other receptions, with like refreshments, do occur for other special events. The volunteer is only expected to be present to aid in the setup and cleanup. Our wonderful members usually provide the actual refreshments. Sitters or Receptionists for our front desk - This person is trained to handle most of our daily operations and is essential to Valley Art's success. A sitter usually volunteers for a 3 ½ hour (11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) morning or a 3 hour (2:30 to 5:30 p.m.) afternoon shift. This is a commitment that each volunteer is allowed to select on their own. You just have to get your name on the calendar for the day you would like to work/volunteer.
Congratulations to the students who participated.
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May/June 2016
Marketing - This is always an important need in every retail business. Please, if you have experience in marketing and would like to assist us in increasing our sales OR participation and enrollment in our education classes, speak up. YOU ARE NEEDED! valleyart.org
Zaleski conversation, continued from page 3 canvases, brushes, everything. It worked well for many years, and all the money went back into buying more supplies. “I learned a lot from John Lawrence (who served as VAA’s first paid director), both in terms of art and organization. Those ideas carried over into my work at Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, for writing grants and managing things. He was a great organizational leader, and he was able to make VAA a full-fledged organization. He set us on the right path.” Judi adds: “He taught us how to hang shows, he taught classes, and brought esteemed artists to town.” She ran a few cooking classes at Valley Art: “VAA would respond to people with a certain set of skills and accommodate them. They’d see if they could turn that interest into a class. VAA was wide open to find the needs of its members, and fill that need.” Judi was also very involved in the annual pottery show, for at least 25 years: “That was quite a profitable venture. Merrie French organized the sales, and we had two purchasing stations; the lines were enormous.” Both noted that without the hard work of dedicated volunteers like Merrie F. and John L., Valley Art would not have survived. We asked about the origin of “The Knot Hole,” which was the sales room for pottery and art, and in records is spelled every possible way. They said the McCready car museum had large barn boards for walls, and there was a big distinct knot hole in one, “so when it came time to name the sales area, that seemed the perfect name.” We asked Jim and Judi where they see Valley Art in the next 50 years: “It’s headed in the right direction, the way the gallery approaches the featured artists. We don’t have any constructive criticism. It has matured well. We are so proud of Valley Art. It’s a top rate gallery. It’s unbelievable really, how far it’s come. The artists are all top-notch.” Judi continues to pursue the arts of cooking and quilting, and Jim continues to create art, using a combination of traditional painting and the digital arts. With Photoshop, he manipulates his paintings, altering colors and such, to achieve a final image. He makes prints at home and exhibits his work. He’s now part of the Green Cab Artist collective, a group of 10 artists that exhibit all around the state. “Helvi Smith, a local artist and VAA member, founded the group, and we have been very busy with shows,” said Jim. The Green Cab had an exhibit recently at Valley Art and included a selection of Jim’s art. The show was a tremendous success. Be sure and check for other Green Cab shows in the area. The Zaleskis should be included among the list of volunteers who helped our longevity. We are so fortunate to have creative people like Jim and Judi in our Valley Art family.
More Valley Art history — from Jan Peiffer and Skip Buhler — will be featured in the June/July newsletter.
Valley Art Association
Judi and Jim Zaleski, above, in a recent photo and, below, at their wedding reception. (Note the kids' art hanging behind them.)
Valley Art Association Board Executive Board: Caroline Dau, president; Emily Lux, vice president; Roylene Read, secretary; Lynne Magner, interim treasurer; Dana Zurcher, past president Board Members — 1. Margaret Hoerber; 2. Marcia Alajoki; 3. Jeanne Levy; 4. Dianne Muhly; 5. Jerry Hoerber; 6. Howard Sullivan; 7. Kay Bridenbaugh; 8. Jan Peiffer; 9. Pat Truax; 10. Bev Camp; 11. Koka Filipovic. Position No. 12 is vacant. May/June 2016
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Join the conversation! Scan this QR code to like Valley Art on Facebook. NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S.P.S. POSTAGE PAID FOREST GROVE OR PERMIT NO. 5
Valley Art Association P.O. Box 333 Forest Grove, OR 97116
Caught My Eye
OF SPECIAL NOTE ON THIS 50TH ANNIVERSARY ... Valley Art is entirely volunteer-run and we could use your talents, too. Please call us at 503-357-3703 for ways you can contribute to this artistic asset of Forest Grove! And don’t forget, Valley Art is a nonprofit organization that benefits the community with art classes and other artistic outreaches. Your tax deductible gifts help support Valley Art programs in the years to come. Upcoming shows include: July-August, FOBA - Focus on Book Arts - Book Arts Competition (books will be for sale); and in September-October we will feature “Birds” by several Oregon artists in various media. Valley Art will hold an auction fundraiser Saturday, August 13. Don’t forget the Annual Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival on September 17. In October there will be a fundraising event for Valley Art at McMenamins’ Grand Lodge in Forest Grove. We hope you will put these events on your calendar. Details to come.
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nteresting, time consuming, dusty work is being done by Jan Peiffer and Skip Buhler. They are researching all the old newsletters – and almost all are available since 1966. The work is nearly finished, but they have been working on this project since last fall. They are compiling a history of Valley Art, as well as putting all the old newsletters in chronological order. They have unearthed some really interesting facts that are fun to read. There are not many businesses in this city that have been around for 50 years and we should be very proud of our longevity and the fact that we have always been able to operate such a good business with all volunteer help. Thanks, Jan, for all your hard work. Retirement is amazing! Caroline Dau, President
VALLEY ART GALLERY PRESENTS
Colors from N ature h nn
Art Show
ANYA DOLL
MAY 2ND - JUNE 30TH
ANYA DOLL ~ DAVE HAAK ~ JOANN PARI-MUELLER WOODEN CARVING BOARDS
WATERCOLORS
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PRAYER FLAGS
ARTIST DEMONSTRATION
(DURING THE FIRST DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 4TH 4 - 7 P.M.
DAVE HAAK
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ARTIST RECEPTION SATURDAY, MAY 14TH 2 - 4 P.M.
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2022 MAIN ST | FOREST GROVE, OR GALLERY HOURS 11A.M - 5:30P.M M-S va l l e ya r t . o r g
| 503.357.3703
poster design by Elise Wahl | TimberdoodleStudio.com
JOANN PARI-MUELLER