7 minute read
PICTURE DISC: Salem's Art Scene
HALLIE FORD
Oregon's third-largest art museum, Hallie Ford Museum of Art features works by Pacific Northwest and Native American artists, a diverse collection of traditional European, American and Asian art, as well as antique artifacts. The museum is located at 700 State St and is open 12 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. 503-370-6855, willamette. edu/arts/hfma
Through March 25
Rita Robillard: Time and Place — Rita Robillard (American, born 1944) is a highly regarded Portland, Oregon mixed media artist who explores themes of history, nature, ecology and place in her work. Born and raised in New York City, Robillard attended Copper Union and the University of California, Berkeley, where she received her BA and MFA degrees in fine arts. She was an educator at Washington State University in Pullman and Portland State University, where she taught printmaking and chaired the art department until her retirement in 2013. The exhibition features a range of work from the past forty years drawn from public and private collections throughout the region.
Through April 22
Hidden Histories: Ancient Art from the Permanent Collections — Over the years, the Hallie Ford Museum of Art has amassed a fine collection of ancient art and textiles. Organized by faculty curator and professor of art history and archaeology, Ann M. Nicgorski, the exhibition features a range of objects of daily life from Egypt, Cyprus, Greece, and Rome; as well as a range of ancient textiles mainly from late Roman to Late Antique Egypt. Works from the permanent collection include gifts from Fred W. Neumann, Mark Sponenburgh, A. Dean McKenzie and others.
GALLERY TALK
Attend a docent-led gallery talk on Tuesdays during February and March. Talks start in the museum lobby at 12:30 p.m. There will also be a Gallery Talk led by artist Rita Robillard at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 25 and one led by exhibition curator Ann M. Nicgorksi at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 15. Gallery talks are free & open to the public.
LEVEL 2 GALLERY
Level 2 Gallery at the Salem Convention Center is curated by the Oregon Artists Series Foundation. It features changing exhibits of work by established and emerging artists of the region. The Gallery is accessible Monday - Friday during business hours, during special events or by appointment. Call 503589-1700. oregonartistsseries.com
Detail: Jon Colburn "Quake" 38.5 x 49” Acrylic on canvas
February 1 to June 23
Jon Colburn: Dreams — Jon Colburn’s life and art are rooted equally in his native Oregon and in his extensive travels over almost five decades.
Jon was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon in 1934. After spending a year at Portland State College, he received a full scholarship to attend and then graduated from the (Portland) Museum Art School with a major in painting in 1961. In 1966, he was awarded a D.A.A.D (German Academic Exchange Service) Fellowship to study painting at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts in Germany. Returning to the United States in 1967, he lived in New York City for 14 years, working in the studio of noted illustrator James McMullen, then moved back to Paris. He returned to Portland, “a city that’s in my blood”, in 1994, where he lived until he moved to Salem in 2007, where he still lives and paints daily.
Sixty years into his explorations, Colburn still seeks expression and style that goes beyond just the love of painting to find a view of the world through its realities and dreams. (An extension of this exhibit hangs in the Art Hall at Salem Public Library.)
ART HALL @ Salem Public Library
A year-round gallery space under the guidance of the Salem Public Art Commission, the Art Hall at the Salem Public Library features the Salem Reads Art Exhibit each February. During the rest of the year, the Oregon Artists Series Foundation curates rotating exhibits featuring regional artists.
Through February 26
Salem Reads Art Exhibit — View work created by local professional artists inspired by the 2023 Salem Reads book selection, Born a Crime by Trevor Noah.
February 28 to June 23
Jon Colburn: Dreams — View recent work by Salem artist Jon Colburn. This show is a companion to Jon’s work on display at Level 2 Gallery at Salem Convention Center.
SALEM ART ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1919, the Salem Art Association aims to actively engage the community in the appreciation of the arts through contemporary art exhibits and events, and arts education for youth and adults. Visit the Bush Barn Art Center & Annex at 600 Mission St. SE. salemart.org
Through February 26
Marisa Mecure: A Visual Journey of Landscapes — “My paintings start with an idea in mind of the final result, and are done with my acquired skills, intuition and the mind fully engaged in the work....In many cases, the painting dictates the road to follow, respecting what is there or isn’t, is a good rule.”
Hattitude: Hats from the Hatboxes of Willie Richardson — Black women wearing stunning “church hats” to express their respect for God, and their own “Hattitude” reaches back generations. Salem treasure, Willie Richardson (Dec 20, 1948 – Jan 25, 2023) shares her “Crowns” which reflect the “convergence of faith and fashion that keeps the Sabbath both holy and glamorous.”
Artist in Residence: Cami Cummings — For Salem artist and business owner Cami Cummings, art helped her find her own voice and now she’s on a mission to help others do the same.
February 9 to 12
Impressions of Love — The art of Japanese flower arranging, also known as ikebana, is a traditional form of floral decoration that originated in Japan. The purpose of ikebana is to create harmony between the flowers, the container, and the space where the arrangement is displayed.
March 10 to April 29
Stellular — Kathryn Cellerini Moore is a self-proclaimed nerd whose interdisciplinary work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. She reuses and recycles media to create immersive experiences for people to reflect on our collective, multifaceted potential as just one species among many. Opening reception: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 10
March 18
Queer Artists Series: 2SLGBTQIAP in Focus — Artist Badly Licked Bear talks about writing and hacking comics, finding and making Queer representation, and their current project, A Game of Me.
March 11 to 26
Young Artists’ Showcase: Individuals & Elementary Students — Featuring work created by school-aged artists (K-5) in Marion, Polk and Yamhill Counties. Opening reception and awards: March 11
April 1 to 30
Young Artists’ Showcase: Middle & High School Students — Featuring work by middle and high school artists in Marion, Polk and Yamhill Counties. Opening reception and awards: April 1
SALEM ON THE EDGE
From fine art, up-and-coming artists, graffiti muralists and more, Salem on the Edge features work by PNW artists in a variety of media both for purchase and in rotating exhibits. Stop in and visit at 156 Liberty St. NE. salemontheedge.com
Melissa Rivers "Good Friends" Mixed media collage, 14” x 18” 2022
February 2 to 25
From the sensual to the seductive, Erotica: An Exhibition to Arouse returns to visually stimulate the senses. On display (and available for purchase) are 20 works of art, selected by juror Robin Weirich, owner of Portland’s Brassworks Gallery. Additionally, see work created by guest artist Melissa Rivers. Melissa’s art explores normalizing desire and sexuality with a healthy dose of humor. Using mid-century commercial images and watercolor the artist embraces unconventional sexual expression and fantasies.
Detail: Ron Conrad "Touch Pink" Acrylic on canvas, 30” x 20” 2020
March 1 to 25
Explore the work of featured artist Ron Conrad and guest artist Eddie Reed. Ron’s work (paintings and kinetic sculptures) dives into the relationship between people and movement and time. It also explores the connections and disconnections people have with themselves and their dreams. Eddie’s work “wonders aloud about contradicting behaviors. It tells stories of past and current struggles and carries a message of hope for the future. It pushes the viewer to confront socially out-of-balance contradictions by questioning systemic racism and privilege.”
FIND MORE ONLINE
Watch for more art exhibits & events at PressPlaySalem.com
