See 1,000 wonders of Cannon Beach
56-foot-long painting to grace White Bird Gallery
Story by GREGORY
E. Zschomler
Art has long been a part
of the Cannon Beach ethos.
It’s one of the things that
makes the city a special
place to live or visit. Visu-
al art is resplendent in city
galleries, and sculpture can
be seen along the streets
and avenues. Though the
buildings themselves are
lovely architectural art, they
have traditionally gone un-
adorned — you won’t see
murals in Cannon Beach.
They’re not allowed by the
Cannon Beach Design Re-
view Board.
But change and com-
promise are in the air. Sis-
ter and brother Andra and
Daniel Georges, along with
Daniel’s wife Rumi Tsuda,
have a gift for the commu-
nity. The White Bird Gal-
lery, housed in the Garret
Sea Building — originally
owned by their mother, Eve-
lyn — is the Oregon Coast’s
oldest, continually operating
art gallery. It will soon have
a new feature.
In an effort to draw shop-
pers into the Garret Sea
Courtyard behind the build-
ing, the Georges, who, along
with their two nieces, own
the building and several
nearby, are adding a unique
bit of charm: a 4-foot-high,
56-foot-long painting.
Technically, it’s not a mu-
ral.
Rather than being paint-
ed on a wall, the art will be
displayed under an arched
walkway leading to the
courtyard from Hemlock
Street toward Spruce Street.
The collage-like work, by
Tsuda, depicts the events,
people and landscapes that
make up the city’s “1,000
wonders,” from the Fourth
of July parade to the Sand-
castle Contest, from kite fly-
ing to wildlife, as well as the
hills and the sea. The piece
is whimsical and elaborate,
worthy of a lengthy study.
Submitted graphic
This graphic shows where the walkway and painting will be located next to White Bird
Gallery.
walkway that will feature
the art. “The intent of it is
to draw people into this re-
ally lovely courtyard.” She
said the project has been
approved by the Design Re-
view Board.
Tsuda, a fine arts profes-
sional who lives and works
in Brooklyn, New York, has
been working on the large-
scale painting in a makeshift
studio set up in the former
Mike’s Bikes shop in Can-
non Beach. The two-month
art project was finished
Sept. 18, and, after receiv-
ing a finishing varnish, the
painting will be mounted to
a new pergola designed by
architect Andra Georges.
Tsuda’s sculpture, paint-
ing, drawing, fashion, in-
stallation and performance
art has been showcased
around the world, and her
work is available locally at
White Bird Gallery. She last
presented a performance art
piece in Cannon Beach in
2005.
“I come to Cannon Beach
often, since I met my hus-
band in graduate school,”
said Tsuda. That was more
than 30 years ago. “I feel
Cannon Beach is a driving
force (for art).” She said
she’s been thinking about
many memories and people
while she worked on the
painting. “I like to meet peo-
ple … and sometimes they
tell me their stories, and I
like to include them in the
sections of the painting.”
The pergola is to be con-
structed by Coaster Con-
struction this fall. Once the
structure is completed, the
painting will be put in place
for the public to enjoy. A
formal dedication is to be
announced at a later date.
“This kind of creative
art,” said Andra Georges,
“as a family, is in our DNA.
It’s something our mom,
who owned the White Bird
Gallery for 40 years, would
be thrilled about.”
“I think people will tell
their friends, ‘You need
to see this,’” said Andra
Georges, strolling down the
Get busy learning about boats
Museum hosts First Sunday program
ASTORIA — Join the Colum-
bia River Maritime Museum
for its next First Sunday Fami-
ly Program, Busy Little Boats.
The program is set from 11
a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4.
First Sunday Family Pro-
grams are a time for fun-¿lled
family experiences. At Busy
Little Boats, come explore all
the different types of boats that
make the Columbia River their
home. Wind up your own pad-
dle wheeler, and send it chug-
ging through the water. Create
your own origami boat.
Investigate images and
videos of boats that brave the
Columbia River bar. Explore
the galleries with a scavenger
hunt that will bring to life the
Gregory E. Zschomler is a
freelance writer and author
living in Cannon Beach. You
can reach him at www.greg-
oryezschomler.blogspot.com
Busy Little Boats
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4
Columbia River Maritime Museum
1792 Marine Drive, Astoria
Included with paid admission
Museum members free
workings of the Columbia’s
river-going vessels.
First Sunday Family Pro-
grams are included with paid
admission; members are free.
The museum is located at
1792 Marine Drive.
O rg a n ica lly g ro w n flo w ers
Ed ib les • Co o kin g Oils
Tin ctu res • To p ica ls
Concentrates: Sha tter, Cru m ble W a x, H on eycom b
P re-filled oil cartridges
and pens now available
Hig h C BD p ro d ucts a va ila b le
Photo by Gregory E. Zschomler
Artist Rumi Tsuda works on the 56-foot painting to be displayed in a walkway next to
White Bird Gallery in Cannon Beach. She completed the painting Sept. 18.
Submitted photo
At the Columbia River Maritime Museum’s Oct. 4 family program, kids and parents can
learn about the different types of boats that make the Columbia River their home.
N OW !
N O M ED ICAL
CAR D N EED ED
Dry flow ers only
1/4oz. lim it • M ust be 21
Visit our w ebsite for a list lf a ll our products
Profession a l, courteous, frien dly service
N ow pre-order on lin e! (cu rren t pa tien ts): thefa rm a cy420.co m
2911 M a rin e D rive • Asto ria 503.325.3276
October 1, 2015 | coastweekend.com | 21