Annual Artist Event Coming!

THE Annual Artist Event is coming in November. The date for members of the association to remember is Nov. 13, Friday. Ooh! Unlucky day - supposedly - but lucky if you're a member.
There is a 10 percent discount that night on all of the new offerings in the gallery from Northwest artists in all media. Treats, entertainment and more await you during this event.
Click on the picture for a larger picture and information about the event.
I hope we'll see you there so we can catch up on what is going on in the gallery. So much wonderful art. What will you choose for yourself and what will you give away for holiday gifts?
The event continues from Nov. 14 - Nov. 22 for everyone! Hours are on the flier. Be sure and stop by the gallery at 2022 Main St., Forest Grove.

Rain, Rain ... Went Away on Chalk Art Day

PUDDLES of color dotted the sidewalks for awhile on September 19, when die hard Chalk Art Festival fans gathered in downtown Forest Grove for a day of fun. Registrations started at 9 a.m. and Joe Mishkin, the balloon guy, was there not long after to lighten up the day with crazy, colorful balloon hats or wings or rocket packs. Whatever those in line wanted! Myself, I got a silly hat. (Click on the link to Joe on his name above.) And here's a video below of one of his hat contraptions in the making.
Dozens of sidewalk squares were sold and pop-up tent shelters covered artists, keeping their work dry. Featured artists, and amateurs galore, produced lots of great art.
Here is work by Amanda Houston above; a wonderful countryside scene. She worked throughout the rain showers and got done quickly. Amazing!
Thank you to all our participants and volunteers. Come back soon for more photos.

Chalk Art Festival Is Coming!

The 19th annual Chalk Art Festival is coming September 19, 2009. Lots of "9's" this year.
Here's the Official List of Nine Top Things to Do:
1. Buy a chalk art sidewalk square at Valley Art, 2022 Main St., and get some chalk with registration.
2. Bring a snacks along and lots of water.
3. Bring some knee pads.
4. Get a balloon hat from Joe Mishkin the Balloon Guy.
5. Listen to the music on Main Street in Forest Grove and dance a little.
6. Make a scarecrow for the Scarecrow Exhibit on the UCC lawn.
7. Get your face painted.
8. Buy some cookies at Maggie's Buns.
9. Have lots of fun.
Here's our official poster for the 19th annual festival done by Ellie Martin, a Forest Grove High School graduated who's headed for art school in September. Isn't it great?
See you September 19!

New Show Coming in July!

Valley Art will feature two new artists in July through August: Evelyn Fritz, watercolor and collage artist, and Glenn Burris, potter extraordinaire. (Click on the picture to see a larger poster.)
We hope you will join us on the First Wednesday of July - July 1 - to meet these artists from 5 to 8 p.m. at a reception in our gallery at 2022 Main Street in Forest Grove.
We think you will enjoy their work - and the work of our other artists, too.

Art Journaling Class at Valley Art.

WE had fun with our small group on Saturday, May 16. Hopefully, if there is interest, we will have another class in August, with a maximum of eight participants. (Table space to create and art supplies take up a lot of room. Just click on the photos and take a look at what we were working with!)
One class member brought lots of books for future participants to use, another used a sketch journal to document how and when she met her husband, another was trying out different techniques and everyone was learning the difference between gesso and matte gel medium.
Check back often for an update on upcoming classes, see the Valley Art Web site or go to the gallery, 2022 Main St., Forest Grove, for a complete listing.
I started "repurposing," altering, an annual report folder that came in the mail and would have gone to the recyle dump. So much more fun to paint them and use them. - Jeanne Levy

First Artist Reception in Our 'New' Building

THE MAY-JUNE 2009 featured artists at Valley Art are Jane Aukshunas and Paul Rasmussen.
The artists' reception was the evening of May 6 and the gallery had a good crowd in attendance.
Blooming Hill Vineyard was the featured winery that evening and they offered generous tastings of their fine product. (Their wine label was designed by Jane Aukshunas, a fortuitous connection.)
There were some visitors that evening who were seeing the new gallery for the first time. They missed the earlier grand reopening. We invite everyone who hasn't had a chance to come on down and see the changes. We are so very proud of the new venue we have.
The food at the reception was prepared and served by Catherine Wildt and her band of extraordinary helpers. (Help is always appreciated at these events; if you'd like to volunteer you can contact Valley Art at 503-357-3703 or valleyart@verizon.net. No experience is required.)
Jane Aukshunas works in pastels and Paul Rasmussen works in wood. The two art forms played off each other beautifully in this fine show, which will be in the gallery until the end of June.
You can find more on Valley Art Gallery at www.valleyart.org, where you can also download the newsletter and learn more about our history and class schedule.
And to top all this off, Tualatin Valley Cable Television will be airing a filming of the grand reopening Valley Art had on April 9. If you live in our Tualatin Valley area, you can see the "show" on these channels at these times:
Channel 11: Saturday, May 16 and 23, 11:30 a.m.; Saturday, May 30 and June 6, 12:30 p.m.; Saturday, June 13, 11:30 a.m.; and Saturday, June 20 and 27, 12:30 p.m.
On Channel 21: Saturdays (starting May 9), 2:30 p.m.; Sundays, 7 a.m.; Tuesdays, 9 a.m.; Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.; and Fridays, 1:30 a.m.
Valley Art is very grateful for this chance to let others know what a great place it is, through the kindness of Westside Cultural Alliance and Tualatin Valley Cable TV.
Here: Paul Rasmussen, far left, educates guests on the finer points on finding wood's best potential.
Below, Jane Aukshunas (looking at camera), enjoys time with friends at her May reception.
And at the end of the reception, as the moon rose, it was a good feeling to know that Valley Art still stands on firm footing in downtown Forest Grove.
A great big thank you to all our donors and benefactors for making this possible - and, most especially, our volunteers who work without pay (and sometimes thanks) .
Valley Art wouldn't be here without YOU!

Upcoming Artists' Reception

DURING the months of May and June, Valley Art Gallery welcomes Jane Aukshunas (pastel at left) and Paul Rasmussen (wood turned bowl).
They are the first two artists to share a show in the newly renovated gallery.
The gallery will be open Wednesday, May 6, from 5 to 8 p.m., for the artists' reception.
Arts & Flowers will be the featured theme in downtown Forest Grove's First Wednesday celebration and Main Street will be closed and feature flower sales and other booths. Farmers Market has not started yet, but it won't be long now.
Here is the poster for the upcoming show. Click on it to make it larger.

Remember that the regular gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Stop by to find that perfect gift for that graduation or wedding gift or find something for your own home or garden.
The gallery is located at 2022 Main St., Forest Grove, one block west of Pacific University.