Astoria art for December: LightBox’s 200th exhibit, kiln creations

Published 9:00 am Monday, December 9, 2024

“Christmas in Astoria” by Jadene Wingert at Jadene Studios.

Astoria’s Second Saturday Art Walk brings visual arts, music, demonstrations and community to downtown galleries between noon and 8 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month. See the list below to find out what’s new in December.

Angi D Wildt Gallery, 106 10th St.

Discover traditional and contemporary art, like holiday prints by the late local artist Bill W. Dodge, jewelry by Kathy Ero and hand-signed books by Karen Leedom. Enjoy meditative flutes with drum music from local musicians the Kadi’s from 4 to 6 p.m.

ARTstoria Gallery, 1168 Commercial St.

Find original paintings, with new works and items added each month, plus prints, scarves, home decor, cards and journals by owner and artist Connie Dillon. Gallery hours are from 3 to 8 p.m.

Astoria Studio Collective, 372 10th St.

Hosting a Community Yuletide Market, featuring Cathy Stearns, Kate Speranza, Erica Clark (North Coast Forage & Fiber), Everett Schlarb (Left Out Care), Heather Goguen, Rebeccah Fries and Roy Sanchez, among other collective artists.

In addition, Julie Hackett (Laughing Rabbit Farm) and Rebecca Tommervik (Kanobi Candle Co.) are joining the market. Stop by upstairs on 10th Street next to Frank’s Barbershop between noon and 5 p.m.

Astoria Visual Arts, 1000 Duane St.

Shop local and support community at Astoria Visual Arts’ Small Treasures Winter Art Sale. Whether you’re searching for the perfect gift or a meaningful way to give back, this event brings art lovers and community members together for a celebration of creativity, generosity and local talent.

This fundraising event consists of a curated art exhibit and a silent auction offering gift certificates, historic photos, art supplies, prints and donations from your favorite local stops. All proceeds stay local and support the gallery, artist residencies and expanding youth art programming.

Brut Wine Bar, 240 10th St.

When Paul B. Verano, a small business owner living in Astoria with his husband of 32 years, isn’t making chocolate, baking cheesecakes, or coming up with something new like “Shuffle Truffles,” he is working on various artistic endeavors.

Verano’s favorites are his Glitzmas Trees, vintage costume jewelry on black velvet with built-in holiday lights in gilt frames. He is excited to be showing at Brut for a second year.

Fine Art Supply, 303 Marine Drive

Showing a collection of watercolor paintings honoring Ice Age artists’ portrayal of animals — herbivores and predators — from 36,000 years ago.

Imogen Gallery, 240 11th St.

It’s time again for Imogen’s annual Hook, Pulp & Weave show, a rich and diverse invitational exhibition exploring the use of fiber in art. Color, texture and composition form the backbone of this collection, designed with the gift-giving season in mind.

Included in this year’s exhibition are photographic-based works printed to linen by Pamela Chipman; the abstract wall-hung fiber art of Susan Circone; crocheted wall-hung pieces by Jo Hamilton; large-scale sculpture by Kim Lakin; needle-woven waxed linen and beaded jewelry by Celeste Olivares; “Freq Flags and Bonnets for Space Exploration,” made from reclaimed textiles by Jenny Rideout; needle-felted wool sculpture by Amelia Santiago; nuno felted wraps by Julie Kern Smith; and abstract felted wool sculpture by Karen Thurman.

Jadene Studios, 1292 Commercial St.

Owner and artist Jadene Wingert will display her original work “Christmas in Astoria,” an acrylic painting created in the Americana style. Originals, prints, tiles, mugs, ornaments and other items with images from the artist’s creations are also available. Gallery hours are from noon to 6:30 p.m.

LightBox Photographic Gallery, 1045 Marine Drive

The 200th exhibit at LightBox will open from 4 to 7 p.m., collecting the photographic work of more than 35 of its member artists.

“200, The LightBox Winter Members Exhibit” offers gallery members’ work as a “thank you” for their support and interest. LightBox also features work from The Guild at LightBox, consisting of Jim Fitzgerald, Jody Miller, Julie Moore, Marc McVey, Rachel Wolf, Sam Blair, Michael Puff and Loren Nelson.

Made in Astoria, 1269 Commercial St.

“The Family Show” brings together the work of gallery owners Bill Atwood and Annie Eskelin with ceramic sculptures by their children, Owen and Isaac. The show explores each artist’s distinct creative voice, all unified by a common theme: the number nine. Each has created a series reflecting their artistic expressions.

A second show features Astorian Peg Johnson’s raku ceramics. Her functional pottery, wall hangings and small sculptures are primarily inspired by nature and local birdlife.

Originally from New York, Johnson discovered ceramics nearly 40 years ago when she witnessed a woman throwing a pot on a kick wheel in Greenwich Village. Since then, she has been dedicated to exploring the many facets of the medium, with a particular love for the challenge and unpredictability of raku. Meet the artist from 4 to 7 p.m.

Menagerie Co-op, 1162 Marine Drive

Bringing together a diverse group of artists, makers and collectors, with one-of-a-kind pieces that focus on the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Paul Polson Studio Gallery, 100 10th St.

Showing a vast variety of large oil paintings and smaller water base works. The work ranges from surrealism to impressionism. Paul Polson will show his signature strata paintings along with landscapes and figurative work.

RiverSea Gallery, 1160 Commercial St.

“Unobtrusive Beauty” is a collaborative show by North Coast artists that explores the understated elegance that lies within the beautifully crafted objects that grace our everyday lives.

At the heart of the show are woodfired utilitarian ceramics by three artists bound by years of friendship, mentorship and a passion for their craft. Randy McClelland, Colin Meston, and Richard Rowland have come together to fire their work in McClelland’s new wood kiln in Naselle, Washington.

Furthering the concept of fine craft for everyday use, Astoria furniture maker Ed Overbay will contribute a dining table and wall display cabinets to the show, and Elaine Rockney will exhibit handwoven placemats in a Japanese traditional style.

These diverse objects come together around the Japanese concept of shibui — an aesthetic rooted in subtlety, simplicity, and modesty — qualities appreciated by those who recognize the profound in the ordinary. Meet the artists at the evening reception from 5 to 8 p.m., with refreshments and festivities.

Sea Gypsy Gifts, 1001 Commercial St.

Featuring local artist Claude Kurtz from Fernhill Glass, with hand-blown glass ornaments, floats, vases, bowls, jewelry, snowmen and more. Snacks and wine will be served from 5 to 8 p.m.

Studio 2 gilded+frayed, 1033 Marine Drive

Wool and winter go hand in hand, and master artisan Allie Kloster, of Seaside Yarn & Fiber, will be showing handspun yarns full of color and texture for the December art walk.

She’ll also bring her needle-felted artwork for a demonstration between 5 and 6 p.m. Throughout the day, Studio 2 will have the spinning wheel going and maybe a crochet hook or knitting needles, too.

Video Horizons, 1156 Duane St.

Showing pictures of the store in honor of its 40th anniversary, and the art of Missy StRain and Kirk Klinger highlighting the movie locations in town.

West Coast Artisans, 160 10th St.

The Christmas season has always been special at West Coast Artisans. New decorations, new ornaments, new artwork always begin to appear around early December. Be sure to come by and check all the new creations from noon to 8 p.m., and enjoy some hot cider and Janet’s Christmas cookies from 5 to 8 p.m.

Xanadu Astoria, 1104 Marine Drive

Ross Deardorff will be showing “Oregon Landscapes,” photos inspired by the landscapes and wildlife of the Oregon Coast. Deardorff, who lives in Warrenton, captures the essence of the environment around us and uses natural lighting to tell the story through his lens.

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