This Month at Maryhill
Greetings,
If we were to draw a line graph reflecting the activity at Maryhill Museum during the year, it would describe the familiar bell curve, with summer at its peak. Can any group of people cram more activity into less time than we do?
Well, we couldn't do a thing, if not for our tremendous volunteers. Yes, we have a great and ambitious staff, but they're only human. Our volunteers? Super humans, all of them. They leave me humbled, every year. If I were one to quote from the low-brow goof of "Wayne's World," I would say, "We are not worthy." But apparently we are—our volunteers keep coming back.
I think, for example, of longtime trustee and board treasurer, Jim McCreight of Portland. Jim has served three consecutive terms on the board, and then after a year off, returned to the board and is currently serving his second three-year consecutive term. Dedication indeed.
It's a bit of a drive to get here, and he isn't alone in gladly giving his time. There are 18 other trustees, dozens of committee members, over 50 volunteers, nearly 30 Sam Hill Society members, and hundreds of members, supporters, friends and enthusiasts! And then there is YOU.
I think, too, of the many people who help stage the Maryhill Arts Festival in August, and the Summer Art Institute later this month.
They, as I, love the interaction that occurs at these events—all around and about art. We love sharing what we know, and we love learning what we don't from artists and art lovers alike.
Most significant, to me anyway, is the sense I get from all these conversations of how vitally important art has been to the lives of so many people. It's not just entertainment or decoration. It's a source of salvation, a voice that links the creator with the witness.
Thank you. And if you are not a part of this family, join us, won't you?
Colleen Schafroth
Executive Director
Join us for Art Institute—
and focus on telling your story
As we have done each summer since 1993, Maryhill Museum will host its Summer Art Institute July 19–23. It's a great opportunity to brush up on technique, and expand your thinking about art.
This year, the focus is on storytelling—of all sorts, through a variety of media. Guided by museum executive director Colleen Schafroth, participants will also benefit from the expert tutelage of five visiting artists. Do you want to learn blind contour drawing? Jason Greene will show you how. Interested in watercolor pencil skills? Plan to attend Richard Quigley's workshop. Try your hand at the medium of glass. Linda Steider will be on hand to guide you. Make an art or writing journal? Then Karen Saró Troeger will be around to help. Or get outside, and study plein air painting with Cathleen Rehfeld.
Cost is $200 for non-credit involvement, or $375 for three graduate credits from the School of Continuing Education at Portland State University. Washington Education Service District 105 also offers 30 clock hours, for $260 tuition. Register here.
Hear 'Wild Beauty' co-author speak on Gorge photos July 22 at 7 p.m.
If you love the Columbia River Gorge, and find yourself drawn into photographs taken back when this place was wilder, less populated and arguably more beautiful than it is now, you will want to bring your copy of Wild Beauty: Photographs of the Columbia River Gorge, 1867–1957 or pick one up at the Maryhill Museum Store for the lecture and an autograph by one of its two authors, John Laursen at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 22.
With the late Terry Toedtemeier, Laursen founded the Northwest Photography Archive, which informed the book and a celebrated exhibit at the Portland Art Museum in 2008. Laursen's talk is free.
This program is support by LEO—the Libraries of Eastern Oregon.
EXHIBITS
Morris exhibit shows painterly
eye in the craft of glass
Our goal with this newsletter is to whet your appetite, to make you so hungry for art that you jump in the car and start driving our direction, maybe even without a toothbrush. So here are some of the goods on display in William Morris: Native Species, on view through Sept. 6. Go to the museum's website and you can see nine of the 38 marvelous glass urns in the show, all of which Morris created for patron George R. Stroemple. While these photographs are stunning, we guarantee that the work in person is even better! So come see how the natural beauty of the Cascades, central Oregon and the Steens Mountain regions informed Morris in his work. Once you whet your art appetite, start driving.
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William Morris (American, b. 1957)
Left: Vase with Ponderosa Pine Branches, 2004.
Dusted vessel, pine needle pick-up, hot glass applied pine boughs.
18-5/8" x 8-1/4" x 8-1/8".
Right: Vase with Ponderosa Pine Boughs, 2004. Dusted vessel, pine needle pick-up, hot glass applied pine boughs.
14" x 6-3/4" x 6-3/4".
Collection of George R. Stroemple
Photography Robert Vinnedge |
The exhibit and related programs are supported by Judy Carlson Kelley, the Walter Bailey Foundation and the Sam Hill Society.
LOOKING AHEAD
Work from 40 Northwest artists shows artistic ascension of "comics"
The artists and publishers who produce contemporary comic books and graphic novels will tell you that their art is a world apart and ever-changing—and not necessarily comical. This transformation in a popular art form—visually, in narratives, and in public perception and response—lies at the heart of Maryhill's third major exhibit for 2010—Comics at the Crossroads: Art of the Graphic Novel.
From September 18 through November 15, museum visitors can see the work of 40 Northwest artists who are taking comic art into new frontiers. Museum curator Steve Grafe says that the large numbers of people who left comics behind after childhood don't know how far medium has advanced. Not only is the Northwest now home to growing numbers of comic artists, but Portland and Seattle are also home to a thriving comic publishing industry.
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Michael Allred, with color by Laura Allre.
Cover of Madman Atomic Comics No. 7, 2007.
Giclée print on watercolor paper, 17-1/2" x 11"
Copyright © 2007 by Michael Allred. Used with permission. |
The exhibit and related programs is sponsored by a grant from Humanities Washington.
Gorge glass artists open studios for curious creators, collectors
Whether your interest in glass art extends to collection or creation—or both—you may want to attend a tour of Columbia Gorge glass studios from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4. Tour attendees will visit studios of Peter McGrain, Andy Nichols and Robin and Ellen Knoke. Cost is $75 for Maryhill members, and $95 for non-members. Call 509-773-3733 for reservations, which are required.
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| Peter McGrain, Shrimpersbest. Stained glass |
Lecture and Book Signing: Deconstructing the Lore of Lewis and Clark
Lewis & Clark walked here, along the Maryhill bench where the museum is situated today. The story of their passage through the Columbia Gorge in 1805–06 is perhaps America's greatest epic saga. If it fascinates you, then plan, please, to join us for a lecture by David Nicandri, executive director of the Washington State Historical Society, at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14. Nicandri, author of the book Deconstructing the Lore of Lewis and Clark, will talk about how William Clark deserves greater respect for his contributions to the research side of the journey. The lecture is free with paid admission.
Browse, buy, create, eat, enjoy annual Maryhill Arts Festival
We can never get enough art. Surrounded by greatness, we also value and celebrate the new. Which is why the Maryhill Arts Festival on the weekend of Aug. 21–22 is one of our favorite annual events. FREE.
Staged outdoors on our gorgeous grounds, it features more than 60 artists, live music, food vendors (Casa el Mirador, the Glass Onion and Café Maryhill) and opportunities to express yourself artistically. The museum will host creative space under the big tent from 1 to 4 p.m. daily. This year's featured exhibitor is the Oregon Glass Guild whose membership includes many Columbia River Gorge glass artists. On top of all that, members of the Goldendale Astronomy Club will let visitors view the sun through protective filters. Bring a dinner picnic or purchase a Mexican dinner from Casa el Mirador of The Dalles at 5 p.m. Saturday. Then sit back and enjoy Portland Actors Ensemble Shakespeare-in-the-Parks production of The Comedy of Errors in our Outdoor Sculpture Garden at 7 p.m. Applause, please.
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| Cousins Virgil Shipman and Arlo McGowan at the Maryhill Arts Festival in 2009 making art Under the Tent! |
The Play is the Thing—Shakespeare in the Gardens at Maryhill Saturday, August 21, 7 p.m.
The Comedy of Errors tells the story of two sets of identical twins separated at birth. When the pairs reunite, mishaps abound! This production is part of the Portland Actors Ensemble's Shakespeare-in-the-Parks program, which makes classical theater accessible to audiences in non-traditional environments. FREE in the gardens.
The Comedy of Errors was made possible by support from Judy Lackstrom and Bob Morrow.
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