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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 22, 2016)
3C THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2016 Photos by Joshua Bessex/The Daily Astorian A piece by Gabriela Helesicova on display at the Norblad Hotel and Hostel. “... What brought me to Astoria,” by Loren Candela hanging up at the Nor- blad Hotel and Hostel. Art scene: Community supports the artists ation. A public bulletin board for net- working, professional development op- portunities, dialogue, and engagement among professionals in the arts and culture community may also be found on the Art in Astoria Facebook page. The recent Hostel Takeover exhibi- tion was produced and curated by Paul Caruana, Gabriela Helesicova, and Marco Davis. The idea of the exhibition was to host up-and-coming artists with exhi- bition space. In its nontraditional ven- ue, I believe it to be one of the most important exhibitions in Astoria this year. The casual less assuming deliv- ery forged new foundation to a cul- tural and generational gap within the patronage of the North Coast arts. Continued from Page 1C In this unconventional boom of makers and musters we see many handmade aesthetic marks in many avenues, storefronts, and businesses both in forms of art and craft built for utility and simply for “art’s sake.” Ingredients A number of community organi- zations are strengthening key com- ponents vital to a working artist: • Recognition, via grants, and awards from established and newer sources; • Exhibition and performance op- portunities, creative workspace. 6DOHVDQG¿QDQFLDOFRPSHQVDWLRQ Not all artists do it for the money, but all artists need to buy materials and pay for continuing opportunities and expenses. The recently formed Art Council of Clatsop County is conducting a broad study to determine the economic im- pact of the arts on our communities. I’m optimistic that the data will con- ¿UP WKH VLJQL¿FDQFH RI RXU FRQWULEX tions and assist in efforts to secure funding from private and public sourc- es so that we can expand our arts and tourism based economy. Earlier this year Astoria’s oldest QRQSUR¿W DUWV JURXS $VWRULD 9LVXDO Arts, overhauled its board of direc- tors. The Fiber Arts Academy went its separate way and the new board put in place a strong strategic plan of supporting the full range of creative mediums and disciplines, including literary and performing arts. The focus remains support for artists and proj- ects in the greater Astoria area, but $VWRULD 9LVXDO $UWV LV DOVR WKH ¿VFDO ‘Getting after it’ As the North Coast continues to be a catch of artists looking for opportuni- ties both in root and in commercial gal- lery representation, I think we need to take note. We are fortunate our commu- nity is the rare exception of generous Gabriela Helesicova stands by her custom-designed wall at the support for the arts. So many people Norblad Hotel and Hostel. DQG PHPEHU EDVHG QRQSUR¿WV ³JHW ting after it,” like the newest kid on the sponsor for the international humani- gleaners and sculptors. A national resi- block the Astoria Arts and Movement Center, which continues to expand op- tarian effort by the OBON Society to dency program is also on the horizon. portunities for performers and dancers. assist American and Allied veterans Networking And the community gem the Lib- LQUHWXUQLQJ³JRRGOXFNÀDJV´WRWKHLU ArtinAstoria.com provides a net- erty Theater — in which I look for- families in Japan. The group’s competitive art- working tool. It is an active website ward to serving as a member of the LVWLQUHVLGHQFH SURJUDP $9$ DLU directory of artists from all media and new board of directors — raising the has been expanded to two three-month disciplines, along with gallery and potential for expanded programming programs for local artists, including business owners, civic leaders, and and opportunities for local performers. Creatives are complex and unique in- free studio space. Contributions to the supporters of the arts in the greater As- program from local businesses provide WRULD DUHD LQFOXGLQJ &ODWVRS 3DFL¿F dividuals, like wild animals they need our vouchers for supplies and food. This and Wahkiakum counties. The aim is support, resources, and space to grow. Darren Orange is a painter in \HDU$9$DLUZLOOSDUWQHUZLWK5HFRO to strengthen and promote the arts by ogy to provide space for object artists, means of communication and cooper- Astoria. Annie Eskelin uses cardboard to create broad strokes in her paintings. Best of 2 01 5 Rea d a bout the w in n ers VOTED BY YOU W a tch fo r it in Co a st W eeken d w w w .coa stw eek en d .com JAN UARY 28, 2016
