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Videographer Ian Lucero has created a lovely documentary about our celebration. Ian has worked with other Portland Open Studio artists in the past to create videos that could be utilized to demonstrate making techniques that might be difficult to share with the public otherwise. For more information, contact Ian at
photo by Claudia Howell
by Careen Stoll
photo by Claudia Howell
The Gala opening of the 10×10 Show was a wonderful success. About four hundred people enjoyed a great celebration of Portland Open Studios’ Ten Year Anniversary. Located in the lofty atrium at City Hall, each diminutive art piece looked like it had drifted down from the sky. With 80 of the artists represented from the 2009 tour, it remains a rare opportunity to see the wide variety of work created by members of Portland Open Studios all in one place.
photo by Claudia Howell
Eloise Damrosch, Dan Saltzman and Kelly Neidig. photo by Claudia Howell
The executive director of the Regional Arts and Culture Council Eloise Damrosch placed Portland Open Studios in the wider context of how important the arts is to cultural growth. Dan Saltzman, City Commissioner, introduced Portland Open Studios and accepted our gift to the city. Sadly, Mayor Sam Adams, who has championed the arts, was sick and unable to attend.
Kelly Neidig and Scott Conary next to Conary's painting "The Dock". photo by Claudia Howell
Commissioner Saltzman read the Proclamation, officially designating the second and third weekends of October Portland Open Studios weekends. Kelly Neidig, President of Portland Open Studios, accepted the honor on behalf of Portland Open Studios, said a few words of celebration and thanks, explained the Purchase Prize, and introduced Scott Conary who had painted the work to be gifted to the City. Entitled “The Dock”, Scott’s work was revealed to the gathering amidst another cheer.
Kelly Neidig and Bonnie Meltzer. photo by Claudia Howell
The founder of Portland Open Studios, Kitty Wallis, said a few words about watching the organization grow. Also gifted was a special honor to Bonnie Meltzer for the ten years in which she tended to countless large projects and small details in service to the organization as director of communications and “right-hand person”.
In the words of Kelly Neidig, “The reception at city hall was a great example of how Portland Open Studios unites the community with artist. It was a fun reception, I loved talking to all of our artists and meeting new artists.” She speaks to the heart of why Portland Open Studios was honored by the city, as does Kindra Crick who helped organize the show: “It was wonderful to celebrate ten years of an organization that shows people the behind the scenes of how art is made.“ Portland Open Studios is a truly unique opportunity in experiential education.
photo by Claudia Howell
We would like to give a special thank-you to the excellent music provided by Jim Boydston, Daryl Davis, and Steve Remington of Manzanita. Many thanks also to our generous sponsors: Storyteller Wine Co, Full Sail Brewing Co, and Artemis Foods, Inc
Thanks to all the artists, past, present, and future, who attended the opening, and those who purchased art! Twenty percent of the proceeds from the show go directly to the Kimberly Gales Scholarship for young artists. Please consider supporting the 2010 Portland Open Studios tour by becoming a sponsor and receive ten Tour Guides to the two weekend event in October!
Artist Barbara Pannakker photo by Claudia Howell
This unusual show could not have been possible without Pollyanne Birge from the Mayor’s Office and the dedication of Kindra Crick and Shawn Demarest, board members who went above and beyond to create a memorable show. Careen Stoll provided some last-minute assistance with the press. There were also numerous volunteers before, during, and after the show. Many thanks to all! The show will remain up in City Hall until March 31st.
photo by Claudia Howell
By Susan Gallacher-Turner
Today’s the deadline to apply for Portland Open Studios. You don’t want to miss out on the chance to show your work and tell visitors about your process in your own studio. You’ll get the opportunity sell your work, build a mailing list, set up workshops and meet people interested in your art from all over the city and country.
As an artist, here’s what other artists say about their Portland Open Studios experience.
Opportunities from Portland Open Studios:
“I received numerous requests to teach a printmaking workshop. I also sold a number of framed and unframed prints.” Shawn Demarest
“I was picked up by a downtown gallery after he visited my studio during the POS tour and faithfully and religiously showcased my artwork in his gallery for years until finally shutting the door. And I have received several commission assignments following visitors to my studio during Portland Open Studios tour.” Allen Schmertzler
“I have become very comfortable with demonstrating thanks to having POS as a reason to do it and have been asked to show techniques and teach as a result.” Deb Marble
“Participation in Portland Open Studios over three years has resulted in new connections and sales, multiple invitations to participate in shows, articles in Boom, Oregonian, Oregon Home, and several stories on the Portland Open Studios blog. But the best part has been in new friendships with other artists and the confidence I’ve gained in talking about my work.” Shelley Hershberger
Demonstrating for Portland Open Studios:
“I printed a number of copper-plate etchings. This involved inking the plates, and running them through the press. A number of them involved multiple plates. Shawn Demarest
“I tried painting one year and it was impossible to keep acrylic wet and applicable as well as interact so I shifted one year to a live model to demonstrate the sketching and drawing applications of my process. This was very popular. Many people sat and watched, my model was costumed ( mostly in private studio modeling time in the nude ) and this on the site drama resulted in a handful of sales of the work popping off of the drawing board. But, I found it very hard to interact with the public as I was working, and, after paying my model for the 2 days, it turned into a debit experience. Now, I do quick caricature demos from photo files of famous people and this has worked an efficient, educational, and happy balance for the event. The public loves that magic in caricatures. This year it was Jay Leno looking over David Letterman on a motorcycle while a hot babe was wrapped around Letterman ( following of course his “sex” scandal ).” Allen Schmertzler
“I enjoy figure drawing and have some unusual tools that I combine with standard watercolor equipment. I work rapidly by choice and often do a “finished” piece in 10 minutes or so.” Deb Marble
“I have demonstrated various techniques involved in printmaking. For me, having others in the studio (whom I was teaching) has been the easiest way to do spontaneous demonstrations of immediate interest to visitors. Participating in Portland Open Studios is a multi-tasking marathon: I have learned how to host, talk, listen, demonstrate, gather names, and make sales all at the same time.” Shelley Hershberger
Studio location:
My printmaking studio, Bite Studio, is located in inner SE Portland. The location worked very well as it is easy to find, and parking isn’t a problem.” Shawn Demarest
“Traffic to my studio has been strong despite the more obscure location in the southwest-terwilliger hills-curves neighborhood. Given the proximity to Multnomah Village, which has a good density of artists in the area, I benefit from that relationship. The 2009 tour was definitely down in attendance. Why? Perhaps after being on the tour for 7 years a sort of fatigue and over-exposure has occurred and or the horrible economy played an unfortunate hand, or some other spurious correlation was at work?” Allen Schmertzler
“My studio is over my garage, accessed by a staircase. Obviously not appropriate for disabled people, otherwise fine. Not being inside my house helps, less of a problem for family or for security concerns. We do have “stuff” in the garage–fishing and sport equipment, tools–the very first time I hung a sheet to cover all that but have never bothered again. Such nice people come on an art tour!” Deb Marble
“My studio is in Portsmouth (North Portland). Proximity to other participating artists created a cluster that definitely helped draw a crowd. If your studio is isolated, encourage other artists nearby to participate for everyone’s benefit.” Shelley Hershberger
Remember today is the deadline…March 15th!
The Portland Love Show began in February 2006 at Launch Pad Gallery with the goal of creating a safe and engaging space to highlight the many different types and attitudes that abound about Love. Now in it’s fifth year, it has outgrown that eastside Portland gallery space, and comfortably shows over 300 artists in the Olympic Mills Commerce Center.
The February 12th opening night filled the large space with hundreds of people enjoying the art, live music and potluck spread of food. Both the opening and closing events are free and open to the public and guests are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to donate the Oregon Food Bank.
The Friday March 12th Closing Party promises to be just as exciting and is from 7:00 pm – 12:00 am, at the Olympic Mills Commerce Center: 107 SE Washington St., Portland, OR.
Upper left, 'Tied' by Kindra Crick in encaustic. Photo by Alex Crick.
Many present and former Portland Open Studios’ artists show work in this once a year salon style exhibition. Theresa Andreas-O’Leary, Kindra Crick, Shawn Demarest, Adrienne Fritze, Jason Kappus, Ryan Kennelly, Bonnie Meltzer, Mark Randall and Kelly Williams are represented from the 2009 tour and Chris Haberman, Toji Kurtzman, Amelia Opie, Shanon Playford, Sam Roloff, Amy Stoner, Quin Sweetman and Anna Todaro from past tours.
'Past & Future Loves' by Bonnie Meltzer. Photo by kerosene rose.
The theme of Love inspires works that ranges from love to lust, representational to abstract, and serious to humorous. There are many clever plays on this theme along with some creative interactive works. If you have not been to this event, you will not want to miss the closing party that goes from 7:00 pm – 12:00 am, this Friday March 12th.
'H1N1' by Ryan Kennelly. Photo by kerosene rose.
Mark Randall's large mixed-media work, center. Photo by kerosene rose.
The event is put on by Launch Pad Gallery and Portland City Art who also share the love by collecting cans of food for the Oregon Food Bank throughout month and at the closing on Friday, March 12th and by donating 10% of all bar sales to American Red Cross Haiti Disaster Relief.
You may RSVP to The 5th Annual Portland Love Show on Facebook or find more artwork from the show and information at http://portlandloveshow.com.
See more images of the Love Show, before the event opened, from kerosene rose on flickr.
Portland Open Studios 