04
july/aug
vernonia’s
voice the community
2007
Community Learning Center Introduces Art Gallery
By Jesse Jones
Grotz taught art classes (materials and design) for
children and adults in the late 1930’s. He was one of
the pioneers in developing an art curriculum for all
ages in private and public institutions; this included
Introduction to Art, both appreciation and hands-on
studies. His pioneering work in art education was
written up in Design Magazine, Architectural Forum,
Magazine of Art, and the New York World Telegram,
from 1939 through 1942. He also taught at the Rhode
Island School of Design from 1948-49, as well as at
various schools in Southern California.
Vernonia residents have provided staff at
the Vernonia Community Learning Center
(VCLC) with many ideas for an even richer
hub of activity. The VCLC has responded
to suggestions to show and sell local art by
incorporating a gallery into the building.
In addition to its first priority as a class-
room the Nehalem Room will now house fine
art for sale by local artists and/or their family
members on a rotating basis. Proceeds from
art sold will go to the artist, Vernonia Hands
on Art, and the VCLC (proceeds are also tax-
deductible).
This is a special opportunity for new
or seasoned artists in the area looking for
exhibition and sale experience in an art gal-
lery setting. To be considered, drop off your
submissions by September 13, 2007. Art will
be selected on the basis of its intrinsic artistic
merit and quality of execution. No previous
exhibition or sale of your work is necessary
to qualify. An Artist Criteria for Submission
is available at the VCLC. The next jury re-
view will be on or about September 15, 2007.
For more information about submitting art
work – or if you are interested in becoming a
juror – contact Jesse Jones, VCLC director at vclc@vernonia-or.gov .
To kick off our new gallery space we are excited to exhibit the work of Albert
Grotz, father of Erika Paleck of Vernonia.
Born into a working class family in the German section of Buffalo, NY, Albert
Grotz was a self-taught artist who became the curator for Educational Exhibitions
at the Albright Art Gallery (the Albright-Knox since 1962); a leader then and now
in exhibiting modern and contemporary artists.
His art was exhibited extensively in juried shows
throughout New York, New England, the Mid-West and
California to include: Western New York Exhibition for
seven years since 1935, which included an Honorable
Mention award; the Great Lakes Exhibition; and the
Riverside Gallery in New York City.
Grotz was a member of the Patteran Society, a group
of artists that broke away from the Buffalo Art Institute
to follow their own more individualistic styles. His
later works continued on into more abstract and experi-
mental styles using a wide variety of traditional and
experimental materials.
Many of Grotz’ paintings exhibited in the Vernonia
Learning Center were painted in Santa Barbara, Califor-
nia where he lived from about 1950 to 1954. He briefly moved to Portland, Oregon
before settling in San Diego to live out his years. Albert Grotz died in 1989.
On the first Friday of the month from 6-8 pm, supplementary arts and
crafts will also be available for sale in the Nehalem Room. No jury
review required, limited space available. Please call (503) 429-1030 for
more information.
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FRE this summ
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phone 503.429.1030
vclc@vernonia-or.gov
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