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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (May 4, 2017)
2 // COASTWEEKEND.COM FROM NEAR EXTINCTION TO A PLACE IN ART Beaver Tales art exhibition opens in Seaside May 6 By EVE MARX FOR THE DAILY ASTORIAN SEASIDE — Named the “state animal” in 1969, the American beaver builds the dams and wet- lands that serve as habitat for Oregon salmon, steel- head, birds, amphibians and insects. Beavers are nature’s hy- drologists, “Beaver Tales: A Celebration of Beaver Art” curator Sara Vicker- man, a Gearhart resident, said. “Beaver Tales” originat- ed as a traveling art show featuring beaver-themed images and art. Presenta- tions and workshops high- lighted relevant research from multiple academic disciplines at its February Oregon State Universi- ty debut, asking, “How many ways can you see a beaver?” The exhibit inspired a month of local beaver-re- lated events in Seaside. Beavers and their contributions to the environment are the topic of lectures and exhibits in coming months. SUBMITTED PHOTOS Sue Kramer, “Chewy,” Beaver sculpted from pine needles. Rene Eisenbart, “Busy Beaver,” watercolor of beaver in its nat- ural habitat. Defender of wildlife Vickerman retired after 37 years from Defenders of Wildlife, where her job was the conservation of wild animals in function- ing ecosystems. She holds degrees in art, anthropolo- gy, biology, geography and education. Denise Fairweather, of Fairweather House and Gallery in Seaside, said Vickerman is a gallery patron. “She visited a lot during our art walk events for several years,” Fairweath- er said. “Little by little, she shared with me what her work is. She asked if I had artists who paint bea- vers, and I said yes.” Fairweather artists Paul Brent, Mike Brown, Susan Mike Brown, Beaver Silhoutte Porthole Vase, hand-crafted of myrtle wood and other woods. Curington, Agnes Field, Jo Pomeroy Crockett, Neal Maine and Denise Joy Mc- Fadden created new origi- nal work for this show. Back from the brink The beaver is a nat- ural ally in conserving Oregon’s wetlands and restoring natural systems, Vickerman said. Beavers play a central role in re- suscitating stream habitats and are worthy of a state- wide beaver conservation vision. The Oregon beaver was nearly exterminated Mariana Mace, “Coat of Arms, Tail, Tracks and Teeth,” cedar weaving. by trappers by 1900. Art exhibits, Vickerman said, are a way to raise the profile of the beaver and wetlands and Oregon artists. “There is limited art depicting beavers and their wetlands and stream habitats,” Vickerman said. The artwork exhibit- ed in the traveling show includes photographs, paintings, prints, cards and quilts. Some of the work is realistic, some abstract; some of it is whimsical, three-dimensional, wood, fiber art and ceramic. The exhibition at Oregon State University, which closed March 1, was viewed by thousands of people. Of 125 pieces rep- resenting about 80 artists, 17 were sold for more than $5,600 total. Benefits from the sale of the art support the Wetlands Conservancy, the Necanicum Watershed Council and the North Coast Land Conservancy. Local conservation groups will host educational workshops throughout May. Bill McIntire, “Beaver Dam in Teton Mountains,” photograph. On display Beaver Tales will be on display in Seaside through May, kicking off 5 to 7 p.m. May 6 as the focus of Seaside Art Walk. Author Frances Back- house will be at Beach Books talking about her beaver-themed book, “Once They Were Hats,” from 1 to 2 p.m. Beach Books also hosts author and illustrator Margo Greeve 1 to 3 p.m. May 7. The North Coast Land Conservancy presents “Stewardship at Beaver Creek” 10 a.m. to noon May 6. Seaside Brewing Co. will show the film “Leave It to Beavers” 6 to 9 p.m. May 11, and Neil Maine will lecture on “Beaver Ecology” at the Fairweath- er Gallery (612 Broadway St.) in Seaside 7 p.m. Thursday, May 25. After Seaside, the ex- hibit heads to other areas of the state, including Astoria, before finishing up at the Oregon Zoo in September.