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.

Grand Reopening Was Terrific

I HEARD IT before I saw it.
A month before the gallery reopened I walked through and you could tell by the new layout of the building - the new walls that were designed to provide more room for hanging art, the shiny, polished concrete floor, the great new lighting - that this place was going to be some place special. Very special.
As I walked through I imagined I could already hear the friendly chatter of art lovers and friends, the clinking of glasses and plates and the smell of good food in the air.
It all came to pass in a big way on April 9, when we might guess all the stars were aligned perfectly, but in actuality there were lots and lots of volunteers working behind the scenes to make sure everything went just right.
From the very moment I entered the building on Thursday and saw the table decorations Margaret Hoerber and her helpers had laid out, I knew this would be a spectacular evening. Just take a look at the gorgeous floral arrangement and display of candies above. (Click on all the photos to see them in more detail.)
The new cabinetry designed and built by Greg Kreibel was painted inside with a rich persimmon color to set off the art and bright new spotlights shone down to highlight every detail of the artists' work. The sleek wooden tops of the cabinets provided a place for friends to stop and chat and rest an elbow or drink.
Delightful music was provided by Pacific University students who played soft jazz - on keyboard and guitar - that was just right in tempo and lent itself perfectly to the elegant background of artwork.
There was a short program with Pete Truax and Jerry Hoerber speaking and introducing the architects (and Bob Richards, who had volunteered to take on the gigantic task of general contractor) and thanking everyone who had contributed to getting the gallery ready for this event either with their energy and work or by their monetary contributions. Donations are still needed and appreciated! Here's Pete Truax in his white jacket.
After the official program the gallery seemed to expand and enlarge even more as it filled with friends eager to see each other and celebrate this new art destination for the city of Forest Grove and the whole of Washington County. There were very few in attendance who could get over the difference between the old gallery and the way it now looks. The changes that have been needed, and the improvements that have been desired, definitely met on this historic evening.
Classes are upcoming at Valley Art also and a list of them along with instructors' names and contact information are available on the gallery's Web site, valleyart.org.
Pottery classes, for children and adults, are offered, along with handiwork in quilting and hardanger embroidery, art journaling, stamping, pastels and a special off-site class by Barbara Hertel.
Looking in through the windows at Valley Art from the street, the display of artwork is rich and varied. An oil painting by Jan Shield in blues and golds, with geese flying, catches the eye - front and center.
It was a lot of work for everyone involved and the Valley Art volunteers and members can't be thanked enough for their contributions to the evening's success. Here is Nedra Hathaway, reception coordinator, at the front door toward the end of the evening.
The party went on until 8:30 p.m. and the grand reopening continues through April. Art in all media can be found and there is something for every taste and pocketbook, as this young customer found out when she discovered the perfect card to send a friend who has moved far away.
THE next big event in the gallery will be the May-June gallery show featuring artists Jane Aukshunas and Paul Rasmussen.
If you missed the grand reopening, don't despair. You can see the gallery 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and the May-June artists' reception will be Wednesday, May 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. The theme throughout Forest Grove will be "Arts and Flowers," so be on hand for another fun evening with plenty to see and do!

Gallery Reopening Party April 9th!

THERE IS so much to see at the newly renovated gallery that it boggles the mind - and eyes.
Such lovely work and such a variety.
Tim Tanner has constructed a new horse out of his assorted recycled bits and pieces and the equine is so elegant! Very striking against the new gallery wall - you'll see it as soon as you come in the door to your left.
Deborah and Richard Bloom have a wonderful Hawaiian protea construction with obsidian chimes hanging - and the tinkling of the stones is charming. Against the newly painted persimmon wall, they blend in wonderfully.
Jan Brattain has been making more wall hangings and even some clothes for the gallery. Her work is bright, colorful and her handwork is that of a true craftsman.
Be sure and join us at the gallery on Thursday, April 9, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. to see the "new" gallery, meet the artists, visit, nibble, listen to music and visit with friends. This is sure to be another historic step in Valley Art Gallery's journey - from 1966 to 2009 - this time a giant step toward the future.
Walt Weber has several bright watercolors for sale, that capture spring perfectly and they just might be the thing to lighten up a room you have - or someone's life! An engaging and thoroughly spring-like grouping of flowering quince in a vase is done with a sure hand.
C. Robinson's prints, "Brookwood II," here with trees in autumn colors, is small but powerful.
Gourds, incised and colored in lovely hues, will enchant the viewer and may even inspire a whole new decorating theme in your home.
Quilted wall hangings can add that special touch to your home, also, with an elegant, artistic homespun touch.
Purses, pottery, oil paintings, pastels, all this and more awaits you at the Valley Art Gallery in Forest Grove, 2022 Main St.

Classes, Classes, Classes Galore!

THERE IS A great new listing of classes coming for Valley Art and you can find them all in the next newsletter that is due to be mailed out after March 23. From pottery, to jewelry making to pastel drawing - there will be something for everyone.
During our grand reopening reception on April 9, there will be many new works of art to share. Hors d'oeuvres, wine tasting, music and lots of great art and visiting will also be yours for FREE from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on that day.
Watercolor artist Terry Peasley will show a large painting of the Metolius River. Jane Aukshunas, who works in pastels (photo above), will have many cards for sale with her images on them. Paul Rasmussen will display his carved wooden bowls (seen here), Amanda Houston will have pastel artwork.
There will be many more media represented. Please join us on April 9 at 2022 Main St. in Forest Grove.

March and We're Getting Closer to Our Reopening!

VALLEY ART will be reopening very soon now.
April 9 is the date for the grand celebration and everyone is invited to attend.
Check out the new gallery space, the classrooms, the pottery studio.
There will also be a list of the upcoming Valley Art classes. Barbara Hertel, of Verboort, will be teaching a pottery class off-site at her studio. You won't want to miss this opportunity.
There will be more information available soon.
Check back here often for up-to-date details.
Click on the picture above for a close up of the poster. Reopening hours on April 9 will be from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.