THE EXQUISITE GORGE PROJECT

During the summer of 2019, Maryhill Museum of Art led a collaborative printmaking project featuring 11 artists working with communities along a 220-mile stretch of the Columbia River from the Willamette River to the Snake River. The Exquisite Gorge Project brought together artists and communities to create a massive 66-foot steamrolled print. Artists worked with community members from their assigned stretch of river and carved images on 4 x 6 foot wood panels. Each completed panel was connected end-to-end and printed using a steamroller, during a print event  on Saturday, August 24, 2019 on the grounds of Maryhill Museum of Art. The resulting print was on view in Maryhilll’s M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Education Center from September 3 -25, 2019.

A full-color publication with all of the woodblock prints and artist statements is now available! Click here to view. You can also order a copy of the publication through the Museum Store. The cost is $12.95 + shipping. To order email museumstore@maryhillmuseum.org or call 509-773-3733 ext. 33.

To read a press release on the project click here. Scroll to the bottom of this page for media coverage, including a 10-part series on the project by Friderike Heuer.

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS

Dylan T. McManus, Artistic Director of Exquisite Gorge Project, Artistic Director of Little Bear Hill, The Dalles, Oregon
Louise Palermo, Project Director of Exquisite Gorge Project, Curator of Education, Maryhill Museum of Art, Goldendale, Washington

PARTNERS

The partners involved are:  Maryhill Museum of Art, Lewis & Clark College, Arts in Education of the Gorge, The Dalles-Wasco County Library, The Gorge Veterans Museum, The Dalles Art Center, Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries, Whitman College, and White Salmon Arts Council, Little Bear Hill, LLC, and Christopher Pothier Fine Art. Information on how the public can connect with artists will be disseminated by each of the participating partners.

SPONSORS

To date, sponsors of The Exquisite Gorge Project include: Klickitat County, Department of Economic Development, Lodging Tax Award, Washington State Arts Commission / National Endowment of the Arts, with additional support provided by Vonda Chandler, Gunkel Orchards, Maryhill Winery, Jo Dean and Juris Sarins, Little Bear Hill, LLC, McClain’s Printmaking Supplies, Continental Hardwood, Array of Elegance, Gamblin Artists Colors, Story Gorge, LLC, Greystone Papers, Your Party & Event Center, Great Skot Production Services, Sally Gilchrist Printmaking, Humanities Washington, and many of the museum’s partners on this project.  For opportunities to support this great project, contact Colleen Schafroth 509 773-3733 x 23 or email development@maryhillmuseum.org.

GALLERY

RELATED EVENTS

March 3 – 28, 2020
Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River, OR.
There will be an opening reception on Saturday, March 7 from 3 – 6 p.m. Many artists will be present to talk about the project; there also will be a screening of the short film made during the project.

August 28 to September 30, 2020
The Exquisite Gorge Project Revisited at Maryhill Museum of Art
See an incredible 66-foot steamrolled print created during The Exquisite Gorge Project. The event featured 11 arists working in communities along a 220-mile stretch of the Columbia River Gorge to create a collaborative print. Opening reception:  Saturday, August 29, 2020, 3 to 5 p.m.

Goldendale Library Print Show
Submission Deadline: September 6, 2019
Exhibition: September 16 – November 15, 2019
To celebrate the Exquisite Gorge Project and the art form of carving and printing, the library will feature local and regional printmakers and their original works for its final exhibit of the year. The Printmakers Exhibit will run from September 16 through November 15 in the Camplan Community Room. The deadline to submit art is 5:00 pm on Friday, September 6th. The guidelines for submitting art is included in the Call for Art. Artists can pick up the Call for Art and a submission form at the library during open hours.  For more information, contact Erin Krake at thelibrary, 509-773-4487.

Exhibition: Print: Sense of Place
The Dalles Art Center through August 31, 2019
This exhibition explores the concept of place by featuring multiple artists who explore the concept of commonality using printmaking. A traditionally collaborative medium, printmaking has been contributing to community since its inception. In this exhibition TDAC is featuring our collaboration with printmakers and print studios both in The Dalles and throughout the Northwest. Included are artists from the local studio Little Bear Hill, the Portland studio Atelier Meridian, Print Art Northwest and artists participating in the Exquisite Gorge project, as well as unveiling the newest local mural created by PNW printmaker Beth Kerschen. 

Steven Muñoz Art Reception & Dinner
June 5, 2019 | 6 p.m.
Please join the White Salmon Arts Council in welcoming Washington, D.C. artist Steven Muñoz for a reception at Le Doubblé Troubblé Wine Co. featuring an exhibition of works by the artist followed by a family style dinner in the Westward Private Dining Room at Henni’s Kitchen and Grill. All profits will benefit the White Salmon Arts Council. Tickets are $50 and space is limited; please contact the White Salmon Arts Council for more information.

Neal Harrington at The Dalles Art Center
June 11, 2019 | 5:30 p.m.
Public meeting at the art center for anyone wishing to contribute ideas to the project: While the design and detail of the project will be Harrington’s decision, input from the community is welcomed. Please contact The Dalles Art Center for more information. From June 12 – 22 Harrington will complete the project in different locations around The Dalles.

Neal Harrington at The Dalles Farmers’ Market
June 15, 2019 | 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Meet artist Neal Harrington and talk with him about his work on the Exquisite Gorge project.

Neal Harrington Print Workshop at The Dalles Art Center
June 18 & 19, 2019 | 6 to 8 p.m.
A free workshop on woodblock printing with Neal Harrington. Please contact The Dalles Art Center for more information. 

Roger Peet at the Goldendale Community LIbrary
June 15, 2019 | 4 to 6 p.m.
Carve along with artist Roger Peet as we learn about the process of woodblock printing and the exciting Exquisite Gorge Project. Carving tools will be provided, and all abilities are welcome, from the seasoned artist to the curious kid. For more information, contact the Goldendale Community Library.

White Salmon Arts Chat with Steven Muñoz
June 20, 2019 | 5:30 p.m.
White Salmon Arts Council members are invited to join in an informal conversation with artist Steven Muñoz. The event will be an opportunity for Steven to share thoughts on printmaking, his love of gardening, and the role bees currently play in his work. Join us for a glass of wine and take advantage of an opportunity to see a selection of Steve’s prints in person.  Venue: Le Doubblé Troubblé Wine Co., 111 E Jewett Blvd, White Salmon. 

Michael McGovern Residency at Little Bear Hill 
July 9 – 23, 2019
Artist Michael McGovern will be in residence at Little Bear Hill in The Dalles and collaborate with students from the Whatonka Community High School, who will help refine the direction of his woodblock.

The Gorge Veterans Museum
The museum will host artist Drew F. Cameron of Combat Paper, with space dedicated to the project.  The museum is open Tuesday – Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. In addition, the museum will facilitate the following public events with Drew F. Cameron:

August 16, 2019 | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Public carving with Drew F. Cameron at the Oregon Veterans Home in their community room (located in The Dalles).

August 17, 2019 | 1 p.m.
Lecture about Combat Paper and this project at The Dalles-Wasco County Library.

Exquisite Gorge Steamroller Print Event
August 24, 2019 | noon. to 5 p.m. (final schedule of events TBD)
Come join in the fun as we create a massive 66-foot woodblock print using a steamroller! This is the culmination of the Exquisite Gorge Project, a collaborative printmaking project featuring 11 artists working with communities along a 220-mile stretch of the Columbia River. Artists worked with community members from their assigned stretch of river and carved images on 4 x 6 foot wood panels. Each completed panel will be connected end-to-end and printed using a steamroller to create a massive 66-foot print. Washington State Poet Laureate, Claudia Castro Luna, will be at Maryhill to create a poem commemorating the event and the Columbia River. Meet the artists at noon, then enjoy kids printmaking activities, music and more. Free on the grounds of Maryhill Museum of Art.

PRESS COVERAGE

Printmaking Today article
Exquisite Gorge: It’s a Print, Oregon Arts Watch, August 28, 2019
Hood River News article, August 27, 2019
Exquisite Gorge: The Truth-Teller, Oregon Arts Watch, August 23, 2019
Exquisite Gorge: The Mapmakers, Oregon Arts Watch, August 19, 2019
Exquisite Gorge: The Explorer, Oregon Arts Watch, August 15, 2019
Exquisite Gorge: The Guardian, Oregon Arts Watch, August 12, 2019
Exquisite Gorge: The Alchemist, Oregon Arts Watch, July 29, 2019
Exquisite Gorge: The Bee Maven, Oregon Arts Watch, June 30, 2019
Artist Neal Harrington finishes woodblock of The Dalles, The Dalles Chronicle, June 28, 2019
Exquisite Gorge: The Listener, Oregon Arts Watch, June 24, 2019
Exquisite Gorge: The Witness, Oregon Arts Watch, June 18, 2019
Exquisite Gorge : Getting Started, Oregon Arts Watch, June 12, 2019
Work underway in TD on ‘Exquisite Gorge’ project, The Dalles Chronicle, June 9, 2019
Maryhill Museum of Art: Collaborative ‘Exquisite Gorge’ project announced, Hood River News, June 6, 2019