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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2018)
20 // COASTWEEKEND.COM Maps and journeys: a writing workshop Scott Colin Johnson scores Cannon Beach Arts Association grant CANNON BEACH — If you’re a longtime coastal resident, part-time coastie or new- comer to the area, the Can- non Beach Arts Association has something for you. Amazing new things are happening at the Cannon Beach Gallery in midtown. In addition to our month- ly exhibit receptions and art workshops, we’re also par- ticipating in Savor Cannon Beach, Spring Unveiling and Plein Air & More through the Cannon Beach Gallery Group. Our latest grant recipi- ent, Scott Colin Johnson, will be working weekly in the gallery on Saturdays and the occasional Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Watch him demonstrate techniques for free, and purchase pieces only available at the Can- non Beach Gallery when he’s in. He’ll be hosting special demos for Spring Unveiling in May and Plein Air in June. FILE PHOTO Cannon Beach Gallery The gallery’s March exhibit, titled “Heritage: Stories,” will be on display through Sunday, March 25. Following the community exhibit will be a three-per- son show of illustrative, landscape and surreal artists Johnson, Beth Robinson and Gary Wahlbeck. Exam- ples of their work are avail- able on the Arts Association website. Upcoming art workshops include painting (Saturday, March 10), paper cutting (Saturday, March 17) and a ERICK BENGEL PHOTO Artist Scott Colin Johnson special workshop on art and grieving (Saturday, March 31) with Robinson. Our workshops are very affordable and open to adults of all skill levels. We offer the opportunity to take classes for free in exchange for volunteering as work- shop helpers. If any of this sounds like something you want to know more about, consid- er becoming a member. Members receive postcard announcements for these and other events, and re- ceive significant discounts for classes and purchases. The Cannon Beach Arts Association is a nonprofit that has served the North Coast community for more than 30 years. Our mission is to support, fund and enhance the arts and artists in Can- non Beach and the region through education, events and exhibits. Manzanita artist’s work lands in governor’s office PHOTOS COURTESY LORRAINE ORTIZ “Earth Rescue” by Mike Cook, now in the Oregon gover- nor’s office MANZANITA — Many artists dream of having their work in a position of prominence where it can be seen by decision makers. And that is exactly what happened with Manzanita resident Mike Cook’s piece “Earth Rescue,” which now resides in the Oregon governor’s office. Since becoming a sculptor post-retirement, Cook combined his cre- ative passion, concern with climate change and his drive to advocate for Oregon’s Clean Energy Jobs Bill and the state’s participation in meeting the Paris Agreement. He wanted to see where creating for a cause might lead and if it could help in some way. Cook’s artist statement for “Earth Rescue” states that the work is a gesture of caring for the wound, softening the impacts and what can occur with an agreed, political, envi- ronmental, economic and scientific framework. At first, state Rep. Deborah Boone welcomed the possibility of having the piece in her office, but as the 2018 session ap- proached, along with a sol- id chance for the passage of the Clean Energy bill, Boone suggested perhaps the piece could be placed in the governor’s office. And that is exactly what happened. As Cook continues to write notes to legisla- tors, he can leverage the placement of his sculpture, referring to the piece and what it represents. “I can refer to the piece by name, where it is and suggest they go take a look at it,” he smiled. Manzanita sculptor Mike Cook with state Rep. Deborah Boone and his piece “Earth Rescue” ASTORIA — Maps and cartography hold a special place in human imagina- tion and history. Writers write about journeys all the time. In fact, stories and poems about journeys are some of the oldest writing known to humankind. Just think “The Odyssey” and Moses wandering in the wilderness. Join author, editor and writing instructor Matt Love 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 24, for a “Maps and Journeys” writing and creative think- ing workshop in Astoria. (Note: This class was orig- inally scheduled for March 31, as mentioned in the Feb. 22 Coast Weekend. The date has since been changed.) In the workshop, Love will guide participants through a series of writing prompts, cartography exercises and discussions that employ the realities and metaphors of taking journeys and consulting/ making maps. Writers of prose, poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, songs and scripts will find inspiration for their work as they delve into the investigations of maps and journeys. The workshop takes place in a private home. The class costs $65 and will cap at 15 participants, who will pay at the be- ginning of the workshop. Scholarships are also avail- able. To register, email Love at nestuccaspit- press@gmail.com. Love is the publisher of Nestucca Spit Press. He’s the author/editor of 17 books about Oregon.
