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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 3, 2016)
Draper, Smoley featured artists at Backstreet FLORENCE — “Time and Tides” is the theme of the Backstreet Gallery’s August featured artists, Jayne Smoley and Meredith Draper. A reception in their honor will be held on the Second Saturday Gallery Tour on Aug. 13. Fused glass artist Smoley sails into summer with her new sailboat art. Because of the brilliant glass designs these assemblages blend with light to cre- ate a glowing transparency. Her works spread across a wide range of creations. Her glamorous pendants, earrings and bracelets offer a fashion- flair. For utility, her nightlights and wall sconces can light up a room. Add one of her plates or sculptures for pizzazz in any decor. She and her husband own a landscaping business, so her creations continue in her own garden. Though mostly self-taught, Smoley comes from a rich background of creative endeavors that started with her mother’s encouragement. She and her mother owned an art store, offering classes and the beginning of Smoley’s affair with the kiln. Her pieces are displayed in private collections in the U.S. and the Philippines. She has shown her work galleries in Portland, Bend and Florence where she earned several awards. Smoley was one of the founders of the “Artful Affair” where the Rotary Club provides art scholarships to our local students. Draper’s wit and humor often find their way into her altered timepieces. COURTESY PHOTOS “The Search is half the fun,” said Draper, who finds Fused glass art by Jayne Smoley (above) and beautiful antique watches Meredith Draper’s altered timepieces and other exquisitely crafted If not assembling her timepieces, you parts to combine into one-of-a-kind ele- might find her, cat-in-lap, reading, in the gant jewelry. This is where time stops and beauty kitchen cooking something delicious or on the trail Geocaching. begins. Beside their show of dazzling glass and It’s only natural that Meredith pursued the arts as her mother was an accom- wonderful ‘time’ art, there will be an array plished watercolorist who taught art. In of hors d’oeuvres with 20 some local her 50-year love affair with art, Draper artists’ work on display at their reception has dabbled in spinning and weaving, free on Aug. 13, at Backstreet Gallery, 1421 form sculpture, clay works and painting, Bay St. On his electric guitar, Danny but now finds her inspiration in “time” Weaver will perform tunes from the ’60s to the present. honored Altered art. Susan Stevens art at Silver Lining through August FLORENCE — The Gallery Above the Silver Lining Boutique, 2217 Highway 101 in Florence, will feature artist Susan Stevens from Washington during the month of August with her one-of-a-kind creations of art. “Stevens has taken her artwork to lev- els never seen in this gallery,” said Silver Lining owner Kimbely Fleenor. “Her mosaic tables and frames for her delight- ful paintings are totally unique and beyond imagination. Her frames are actually an integral part of her creations filled with wonderful, light filled compositions of oils and acrylics.” The subject matters are from coastal scenes to electric storms over the ocean, from palm trees to majestic mountains, 1 0 • C OAST Stained glass art by Susan Stevens from flowers to fanciful fairys. Stevens’ champagne and hors d’oeuvre reception will be Saturday, Aug. 13, dur- ing the Second Saturday Gallery Tour, C ENTRAL • A r ts & En t er ta in m e nt • A U GU S T 2 01 6 from 3 to 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate. Stevens will attend and discuss her styles, her works and answer any ques- tions. Stevens currently lives in Kingston, Wash, where she and her husband live a busy home life with five children. “There is never a dull moment,” said Stevens, who volunteers at the local ele- mentary school as an art docent. “I love teaching art to the children.” Stevens said the Oregon coast, in itself, is a magnificent piece of art. “The scenery here is like no other place in the world,” she said. “I thrive out in nature where I am consistently in awe of her beauty.” ‘Midnight in Florence’ literary salon set for writers FLORENCE — The literary salon of 1930s Paris is making a comeback. Designed as a convivial event celebrat- ing the written word and made famous by the film “Midnight in Paris,” literary salons help to promote local writers and their work while upholding the literary arts in a digital era. Writers on the River will present its first “Midnight in Florence” literary salon on Saturday, Aug. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA), 120 Maple St. in Old Town. Presented by FRAA creative writing instructor and award-winning journalist Catherine J. Rourke, the salon is free and open to the public. Following the tradition of Gertrude Stein’s infamous Parisian salons, each monthly event will highlight a “Featured Writer” who will talk about their writing and share an excerpt from their work. An open mic segment follows, during which writers of all levels and genres are invited to read, recite or sing excerpts from their published or unpub- lished material. Florence artist and author Karen Nichols will appear as this month’s “Featured Writer,” sharing passages from her four published novels: “Triumph Over Fear,” “Second Chance Heart,” “The Unexpected Gift” and “Thornton House.” Nichols facilitates the Coastal Writers, a local critique group, and will soon finish an anthology of short stories in time for the sixth annual Florence Festival of Books, for which she is also a member of the planning committee. Visit www.karendnichols.com for more info. Reading slots are limited to five min- utes on a first-come basis. Those who wish to participate in the open mic must arrive at 5:30 p.m. to sign up. Call 541-708-2120 or email Catherine J. Rourke at CJR editor@gmail.com for more info, or if interested in becoming a “Featured Writer.” The next salon will take place in October. A $5 donation is suggested to support FRAA for hosting the event. Refreshments will be available.