First Weekend in Toledo, April 6 & 7
“The Vicarage”
Michael Gibbons Galleries

On April 6 and 7, the Toledo arts community is “Going Green.” The artists located in the Uptown Arts District one block above Main Street have special shows planned for the weekend, each with their own interpretation of the theme.

The Yaquina River Museum of Art will be showing a select number of paintings from the Musuem Permanent Collection. The YRMA was founded in 2002 by Michael and Judith Gibbons with the express purpose to leave a legacy of art to the community. The mission of the Musuem includes creation and preservation of an exhibition environment and focus on works of art generated by and about the land and people of the Yaquina River watershed region. To that end, much of the Permanent Collection has been generated from artists who have worked, temporarily lived or passed through this area. Many artists from the Toledo community are represented in the Collection.

Yaquina River Museum of Art
Artist Michael Gibbons

The YRMA is always seeking art and the volunteer curator, Michael Gibbons, welcomes a conversation with anyone interested in exploring the possibility. Volunteers are most welcome for the open days. Please contact Rosa Decembrini, Office Manager. Museum hours are Wed.-Sun. noon-4 pm. Refreshments courtesy of the Friends of the Musuem, which will be open from 11 to 5 each day of First Weekend and is open noon to 4:00 pm Wednesday through Sunday. The School House (Circa 1887) Exhibit and Office space is located at 151 NE Alder Street in the Uptown Arts District. For more information, call (541) 336-1907 or email yrmaoffice@questoffice.net.

Gallery Michael Gibbons is featuring “Quiet Refuge,” a 15″x18″ oil painting that was painted en plein air (in the big air) in Lake Oswego, OR. A public garden now turned private beckoned to artist Michael Gibbons and others to catch “Spring” through their art, much as we look for a change of season in April every year.

“Quiet Refuge”
Michael Gibbons

The “greening” of the landscape is a particularly joyous time for Gibbons, as he loves nothing better than being outside to capture the changing colors on panel and canvas. The multiple award-winning artist’s work is collected nationally and many paintings are shown in his gallery. Look for his work in Fine Art Connoisseur magazine, December 2012, Page 98 in the feature article entitled “Oregon’s Art: As Diverse as its Landscape.” Join the artist for Oregon wine and cheese each day of First Weekend Art. Gallery Michael Gibbons is located at the 1926 Vicarage, 140 NE Alder Street, and will be open from 11-5 Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call (541) 336-2797 or email michaelgibbonsart@charter.net or see www.MichaelGibbons.net.

“Miss Curiosity
Summer Doe”
Ivan Kelly

Ivan Kelly grew up in the green rolling hills and valleys of County Antrim, Ireland, and consequently loves painting the landscape and its animals in a classical realism style that captures the true character and ambience in each animal in their natural landscape. This particular fine Spring day, as he was capturing the estuary landscape on his easel on the outskirts of Toledo, a young doe quietly came out to watch. Thus was borne new subject matter for his canvas, “Miss Curiosity, Summer Doe.” Ivan was awarded “Signature Member” status in the National Maritime Art Exhibition of American Society of Marine Artists, which will be featuring his Oregon sand dune painting at Coos Bay Art Museum during its National Exhibit of Maritime Art, March 22nd. Join Ivan during First Weekend where new wildlife and harbor oil paintings will be featured Saturday, April 6th, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm and April 7th, 12:30 – 5:00 pm at Ivan Kelly Gallery-Studio. 207 East Graham Street, Toledo. One block above Main Street. For more information, call (541) 336-1124 or see www.IvanKelly.com and email: info@ivankelly.com

Produced by one of artist Becky Miller’s middle school students in Eddyville

As part of this month’s “Going Green” theme, Becky Miller Studio will be celebrating the nurturing of budding creativity. Becky has been teaching oil painting to middle school students at Eddyville Charter School since mid-December under a special artists-in-residence program that also brought in many other members of the community to teach courses such as geocaching, canine obedience, digital photography, marine science, engineering, aerobics, archery, plant identification, and more. As part of this enrichment program, Becky is hosting a show of her students’ paintings in her studio this month. The 10-13 year olds’ work is primarily comprised of wildlife paintings. All of the children are first-time oil painters. Refreshments will be served. Becky Miller Studio is located in Toledo’s Arts District at 167 NE 1st St. For more information, call (503) 504-7289 or see www.BeckyMillerArtist.com

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November 3 and 4, the entire arts community of Toledo will be opening galleries and studios to celebrate “Nature’s Bounty” during the monthly First Weekend event. Saturday and Sunday, November 3rd and 4th, visitors to “First Weekend” will have the opportunity to collect, in the free Passport to Toledo Arts, a unique hand-carved stamp by Toledo artist Becky Miller. A different stamp is available each month during First Weekend and Passports may be picked up at the feature events or any time at any of the participating galleries and studios. More information is available online at www.toledoarts.info.

First Weekend receptions at participating galleries and studios throughout Toledo will be held on Saturday and Sunday, November 3 and 4, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Three of the four shows in the Uptown Arts District will feature themed refreshments to accompany their work in celebration of the harvest season.

This month’s featured artist is Becky Miller who interprets the theme “Nature’s Bounty” with a celebration of Pacific kelp, which is the subject of many of her oil paintings. Becky’s husband, Stu Miller of Pig Feathers BBQ, will be preparing a number of tasty treats made from kelp found right on our local coast. Come learn about the historic and current uses of this versatile, delicious and nutritious family of plants. Becky will share her enthusiasm for the beauty and bounty of kelp through paintings, recipes and identification and collection tips, as well as a poem she has written. Becky Miller Studio is located in Toledo’s Arts District at 167 NE 1st St. and will be open from 11-5pm both days. For more information, call 503-504-7289 or see www.BeckyMillerArtist.com / beckymillerartist@yahoo.com.
Attached photos: Stu Miller collecting bullwhip kelp for pickling; “Kelp Geometry,” 12”x12” oil on canvas (in color and in B&W).

The Signature Gallery of Michael Gibbons this month features the theme “Nature’s Bounty” with a view of the British Isles and the European continent. He will show work from his private collection that he painted in England, France and Ireland and invites the public to enjoy the journey with him. This historical art was created between 1987 and 2000 when Gibbons traveled to paint on location in these countries. A selection of present day original art work done in the Northwest will be available as well as Limited Edition Prints and reproductions. Join the artist for a complimentary glass of French wine and English Cheese and Biscuits. The gallery, which is located at 141 NE Alder Street, will be open 11:00-5:00 pm Sat. and noon-5:00 pm Sun. For more information, call (541)336-2797 or see www.michaelgibbons.net.
Attached Photo: “The Washbowl” oil; 10″x 12″ NFS; painted by Michael
Gibbons in the Cotswolds, England in 1987.

Ivan Kelly Gallery-Studio will be celebrating “Nature’s Bounty” from 11:00-5:00 pm on Sat. and from 12:30-5:00 pm on Sun. with new Yellowstone Park big game oil paintings, such as “Challenge on the Edge,” a 12 x 16″ oil painting of the Rocky Mountain sheep challenge. Ivan specializes in realism focusing on coastal Oregon, its mountains and its wildlife. Also available will be Oregon coastal landscape oils. Come enjoy some “Berry Picker” fruit and nut cake and “Bounty Game Caps” for a taste of the natural bounty of America’s wild lands, and talk art with Ivan, whose oil painting, “Sculptured by Pacific Storms,” is currently exhibited in the Texas National Art Museum exhibit tour. Ivan Kelly Gallery-Studio is located in the Uptown Fine Art District at 207 East Graham Street. For more information, call (541) 336-1124 or see www.ivankelly.com / info@ivankelly.com.
Attached photo: Challenge on the Edge (Bighorn Sheep)

The Yaquina River Museum of Art is open from noon-4:00 pm daily. Featured this month is an exciting array of art loaned from the Board members’ private collections of work created by artists working in this area. Curator Michael Gibbons has selected art that supports the mission of the museum and the public is invited to join with Board members Jill Lyon, Gregg Harrison, Michael & Judy Gibbons, Maxine Moodie, Steve Beck, and Casey McEneny in celebrating this First Weekend of November and for the entire month at the School House Exhibit space. The Board also wishes to announce that the Nov/Dec issue of Fine Art Connoisseur magazine will feature an article written by Editor Peter Trippi about Oregon art that includes the story of the Yaquina River Museum of Art here in Toledo and Founder Michael Gibbons’ work. The museum is located in the Uptown Arts District, one block above Main Street at 151 NE Alder St. in Toledo. For more information, call (541) 336-1907.

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