Nestucca Valley Artisans was founded in 1993 by three local artists
wishing to form a support group for South Tillamook County artists and
crafts people. Once all the artisans in the Nestucca Valley
area were found, and a list compiled, a total of 98 were registered by
the end of 1993. The list included painters, weavers, wood carvers, printmakers,
potters, and glass workers.
The groups first Art Show was in March 1994. This event coincided
with Spring Break and the first weekend of whale watching on the coast
which turned out to be a huge success.
An annual festival is held to exhibit artist's work and to raise
funds for other art activities in the community. Opportunities for
displays, demonstrations, and studio tours are planned throughout the year.
Beginning their 10th year, they have added a second festival held in August
at the Kiawanda Community Center. This show offers work from around 25
artists working in Oil on Canvas, Watercolors, Woodcarving, Photography,
Pottery, Jewelry, Glass, Fiber, and various other mediums.
Proceeds from the Nestucca Valley Artisan Festivals have supported
many local art related projects including: art magazines for the local
library, donations to the children's art workshop "Slug Soup", the local
school district to support the art curriculum, the Tillamook County Fair
art awards, and the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts.
Two members of the group recently received recognition in their fields.
Rose Perez, one of the founding members of the group, was recently
accepted by the American Society of Marine Artists for two juried exhibits.
The Society is a national organization and displayed Rose's paintings of
the Oregon Coastline in the Coos Bay Art Museum where she won the esteemed
"People's Choice Award". Rose was also featured in the Oregon Coast
Magazine.
Karen Gelbard, "The Oregon Weaver" was awarded First Place in Fiber
at the Portland Arts Festival. The Portland Arts Festival is ranked
as one of the top juried shows in the nation showcasing high quality fine
arts and fine craft. Karen's work has also been displayed at "Convergence
2000", a national handweavers association show.
For more information on this
group, or their events, please contact Karen Gelbard at 503-965-6263
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