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.