artsy
A promising weekend in Toledo
T
he small mill-town of Toledo will
celebrate the spirit of the holiday
season through the beauty of art
this Friday and Saturday, Dec. 7 and 8,
as art galleries open their doors for First
Weekend.
Attractions will include an opening
reception for “Promise,” the annual
Christmas show from the Yaquina River
Museum of Art, starting at noon on
Saturday, Dec. 7.
“Promise” is an exhibit of Christmas
crafts and related items collected by
museum founder Judy Gibbons over a
period of 18 years living in Guatemala,
Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Chile.
“Everywhere I lived in Central and
Latin America I searched for and found
an abundant and thriving crafts and art
culture made up of the people living there,”
Gibbons said. “My focus of Christmas art
was easily fulfilled and I was delighted
to meet with the artisans and hear their
stories.”
Traditional religious ikons on loan
from museum board member Pauline
Morrison and the Gibbons family as well as
contemporary bronze statues of Mary from
David Robinson will also be shown.
At 2 pm, Gibbons will give a short
art talk and tour of the exhibit, focusing
on several items including a Peruvian
“Naciemento” (Nativity set) made of carved
wood and gesso.
At 2:30 pm, all are invited to walk across
the street to the Fireplace Room in the
Parish Hall at St. John’s church for free
refreshments and a Christmas music sing-
along led by piano and cello music which
begins at 3 pm.
A silent auction of gift baskets will be on
offer, with proceeds benefiting the “Hang
One Up for the Kids” art project at Toledo
High School. This project, which aims
to create permanent spaces for art done
by the students, is part of the museum’s
educational outreach mission, spearheaded
by museum project director James Nelson
and retired Toledo High School teacher
Peter Vince.
The Yaquina River Museum of Art is
located at 1887 School House at 151 NE
Alder Street.
Across the street, Michael Gibbons’
Signature Gallery will be featuring this
renowned Northwest painter’s plein air
landscapes, accompanied by complimentary
“Naciemento” (Nativity) from Peru
“Bear Wares” by Janet Runger
Judy Gibbons
“Black Bear” by Ivan Kelly
Oregon wine and cheese. Michael Gibbons’
Signature Gallery, located at 140 NE Alder
Street, will be open from 11 am to 2 pm on
Saturday, and 11 am to 4 pm on Sunday.
Just a block away on Graham Street,
Ivan Kelly Studio & Gallery will be
featuring Oregon Coastal landscapes and
Northwest animals including “Black Bear,”
an oil painting depicting a black bear
amid the gorgeous colors of autumn at
Moonshine Park. Ivan Kelly Studio-Gallery,
located at 207 East Graham Street, will be
open from 11 am to 5 pm on Saturday, and
1 pm to 5 pm on Sunday.
On Main Street, assemblage artist Janet
Runger will be featuring her found object
sculptures at her exhibit space, Crow’s
Nest Gallery & Studio. Runger will have
a spotlight on “Bear Wares,” a captivating
sculptural scene of a bear merchant selling
honey. Crow’s Nest Gallery & Studio,
located at 170 N Main Street, will be open
from 10 am to 5 pm both days of First
Weekend.
Further South on Main Street, Michael
Hicks will be featuring his multimedia
artistry, including his vibrant landscapes.
Hicks’ Studio, located at 240 South Main
Street, will be open from 10 am to 5 pm
both days.
16 • oregoncoastTODAY.com • facebook.com/oregoncoasttoday • December 6, 2019