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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (May 21, 2015)
ARTPORT GALLERY A new cooperative gallery opens at the Port of Ilwaco, offering a mix of local fine art and the opportunity for community education Story by DWIGHT CASWELL Photo by Dwight Caswell “Lotus Eater” by John Clark, an ArtPort Gallery artist. Photo by Dwight Caswell “Cobalt and Roses” by Liz Todd, an ArtPort Gallery artist. Photo by Dwight Caswell “Benji Wa Yum‡© (All Things are Merely Dreams)” by Kris- tin Shauck, an ArtPort Gallery artist. 12 | May 21, 2015 | coastweekend.com “This is a small pond, and there are a lot of artists in our midst,” says art- ist Rebecca Read, speaking of Wash- ington’s Long Beach Peninsula. There aren’t many art galleries in the area, though, which means there is room for one more. Enter the new ArtPort Gal- lery, which opened May 2. Read is one of 11 artists participat- ing in the cooperative gallery. The idea originated with Ilwaco artist Marie Powell, who had seen successful “pop- up” galleries on her annual trip to New Zealand. She suggested to her friend Penny Treat, a Long Beach painter, that the idea might work in Ilwaco. Treat is something of a community organizer, with extensive involvement LQ QRQSUR¿W RUJDQL]DWLRQV DQG DV VKH and Powell began talking to other art- ists, the gallery concept soon moved beyond the pop-up stage. ArtPort was born, and a collective of artists began to coalesce around the idea and the lo- cation. “Recruiting the artists happened organically,” Read says. “We want- ed a good mix with a blend of styles and media, both two-dimensional and three-dimensional.” They wanted di- versity, and they wanted artists to grow in their art through the sharing of each other’s knowledge and experience. The result is that at ArtPort you will find paintings, jewelry, pottery, calligraphy, and prints by experi- enced practicing artists. There are also things you won’t find. “We’re a fine art gallery,” says Treat, explain- ing the absence of “craft” items and photographs. Seaview, Washington potter David Campiche says he was attracted to the group by the, “communal nature of the gallery, friends sharing the responsi- bility and making the economic equa- tion more viable.” It is also, he says, “fun to exhibit with friends you know and respect in a quiet and uncluttered space. You feel part of a family.” Meet the ArtPort artists David Campiche – potter John Clark – printmaker, glass artist Diane Lane – jeweler Anna Lee Larimore – painter Martha Lee – painter Sandra Lill – jeweler Sonja May – painter Rebecca Read – printmaker, calligrapher Kristin Shauck – painter Liz Todd – painter Penny Treat – painter, printmaker ArtPort Gallery 177 Howerton Way S.E., Ilwaco, Washington Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday Follow ArtPort Gallery on Facebook To find out how you or your organization can become a partner in the arts, contact Diane Lane, outreach coordinator, at 360-244-5158 Photo by Laurie Anderson The ArPort Gallery artists are, from left, back row, Diane Lane, Martha Lee, John Clark, David Campiche, Liz Todd, Kristin Shauck, Rebecca Read, Sandra Hill; and front row, Penny Treat and Anna Lee Larimore, (Sonja May not pictured) ArtPort is in the process of becom- LQJ D QRQSUR¿W RUJDQL]DWLRQ DQG DV a part of that process its artists have developed a mission statement that goes far beyond the exhibition of art. ArtPort intends to “support the art and culture of the region” not only through the operation of the gallery, but also by connecting “the community with artists and the visual arts through a variety of artistic and educational opportunities.” This means that community out- reach is part of the ArtPort agenda, and the gallery will sponsor work- shops, Read says, “by members and guests artists for people who want to know more about art and art as a busi- ness.” There will also be youth devel- opment activities and guest speakers to support the professional develop- ment of artists. “We want to be part of Ilwaco’s business community, and we will be building partnerships with other busi- nesses,” Read says. As an example of such partnerships she points to Envision Ilwaco, a group of citizens who sponsored a day to “spruce up” Ilwaco in March, includ- ing artists painting two murals on the old Oddfellows Building. Read also looks to a less competitive and more cooperative business paradigm, quot- ing the aphorism, “a rising tide floats all boats.” The ArtPort artists didn’t have far to look to find a location for the gal- lery. There was a large space available next to Marie Powell’s Ilwaco gallery. It looked out on the Port of Ilwaco, and with artist Don Nisbett’s gallery a few doors down, the addition of a third gallery would immediately re- sult in an art enclave, a destination for arts aficionados. Each of the three galleries has its own personality, so visitors will find a range of artistic expression on dis- play. “Don Nisbett, Marie Powell and Artport are all unique,” says Read. “People will find different work in each one.” Many people see Ilwaco as a sleepy town with a pretty port; Re- becca Read sees it as a town on the cusp of change. “It’s a timing thing,” she says. It seems like this is the right time for Ilwaco to blossom. We need people to be excited, to be cheerlead- ers for Ilwaco.” That’s what she and 10 other artists will be doing at Art- Port. “We’ll do our best to make Ilwa- co a more interesting place to live and to visit,” Read says. As for David Campiche, he simply says, “It’s nice to contribute to the community with a tasteful display of lovingly crafted art objects.” Photo by Dwight Caswell Photo by Laurie Anderson “Tea Pot with Crow” by David Campiche, a Long Beach Pen- insula-based ceramic artist. A visitor looks at the different styles and mediums of art on display at the ArPort Gallery in Ilwaco, Washington, during its grand opening on May 2. ‘Recruiting the artists happened organically. We wanted a good mix with a blend of styles and media, both two-dimensional and three-dimensional.’ Photos by Dwight Caswell ABOVE: “Green Sweatergirl” by Sonja May, an ArtPort Gallery artist. LEFT: “Horizon II” by Anna Lee Larimore, an ArtPort Gallery artist. May 21, 2015 | coastweekend.com | 13
