The InstigatorHere’s what you can see at the art galleries of Salem this March —
AT HALLIE FORD
The Hallie Ford Museum of Art is Oregon’s third-largest art museum. It features works by Pacific Northwest and Native American artists, a diverse collection of traditional European, American and Asian art, as well as artifacts that date from antiquity. Frequently changing exhibitions include lectures, special events, tours, artist demonstrations and educational opportunities for children and adults.
The museum, located at 700 State Street, is open 12 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Cost to explore is $6, $4 for seniors and $3 for educators and students 18 and older. Admission is free for everyone on Tuesdays. For more information, visit willamette.edu/arts/hfma, or call 503-370-6855.
Through March 25
Rita Robillard: Time and Place — Rita Robillard (American, born 1944) is a highly regarded Portland, Oregon mixed media artist who explores themes of history, nature, ecology and place in her work. Born and raised in New York City, Robillard attended Copper Union and the University of California, Berkeley, where she received her BA and MFA degrees in fine arts. She was an educator at Washington State University in Pullman and Portland State University, where she taught printmaking and chaired the art department until her retirement in 2013. The exhibition features a range of work from the past forty years drawn from public and private collections throughout the region.
Through April 22
Hidden Histories: Ancient Art from the Permanent Collections — Over the years, the Hallie Ford Museum of Art has amassed a fine collection of ancient art and textiles. Organized by faculty curator and professor of art history and archaeology, Ann M. Nicgorski, the exhibition features a range of objects of daily life from Egypt, Cyprus, Greece, and Rome; as well as a range of ancient textiles mainly from late Roman to Late Antique Egypt. Works from the permanent collection include gifts from Fred W. Neumann, Mark Sponenburgh, A. Dean McKenzie, and others.
Gallery Talks
Watch for docent-led gallery talks beginning in the museum lobby on Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m.
There will also be a Gallery Talk led by artist Rita Robillard at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 25 and one led by exhibition curator Ann M. Nicgorksi at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 15. Gallery talks are free and open to the public.
AT LEVEL 2 GALLERY
Level 2 Gallery at the Salem Convention Center is curated by the Oregon Artists Series Foundation. Located on the second floor of the center, it features changing exhibits of work by established and emerging artists of the region. The Gallery is accessible Monday through Friday during regular business hours, during special events or by appointment by calling 503-589-1700. Info: oregonartistsseries.com
February 1 to June 23
Jon Colburn: Dreams — Jon Colburn’s life and art are rooted equally in his native Oregon and in his extensive travels over almost five decades.
Jon was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon in 1934. After spending a year at Portland State College, he received a full scholarship to attend and then graduated from the (Portland) Museum Art School with a major in painting in 1961. In 1966, he was awarded a D.A.A.D (German Academic Exchange Service) Fellowship to study painting at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts in Germany. Returning to the United States in 1967, he lived in New York City for 14 years, working in the studio of noted illustrator James McMullen, then moved back to Paris. He returned to Portland, “a city that’s in my blood”, in 1994, where he lived until he moved to Salem in 2007, where he still lives and paints daily.
Sixty years into his explorations, Colburn still seeks expression and style that goes beyond just the love of painting to find a view of the world through its realities and dreams.
There will be an exhibition reception 5 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 20 at Level 2 Gallery. RSVP by emailing oregonartistsseries@gmail.com
ART HALL @ Salem Public Library
A year-round gallery space under the guidance of the Salem Public Art Commission, the Art Hall at the Salem Public Library features the Salem Reads Art Exhibit each February as part of Salem Reads: One Book, One Community. During the rest of the year, the Oregon Artists Series Foundation will present curated rotating exhibits featuring regional artists.
Through June 23
Jon Colburn: Dreams — View recent work by Salem artist Jon Colburn. This show is a companion to Jon’s work on display at Level 2 at Salem Convention Center.
AT SALEM ART ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1919, the Salem Art Association aims to engage the community in the appreciation of the arts through contemporary art exhibitions and events, arts education for youth and adults, and the preservation and interpretation of our shared cultural heritage.
Events and exhibits are located in the Bush Barn Art Center & Annex at 600 Mission St. SE. Visit the center 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. There is no charge to visit, but donations are accepted. Info: 503-581-2228 or visit salemart.org.
March 11 through 26
Young Artists’ Showcase: Individuals & Elementary Students — Featuring work created by school-aged artists (K-5) in Marion, Polk and Yamhill Counties. Opening reception and awards begin at 12 p.m. Saturday, March 11. (Artwork by middle & high school students will be on exhibit in April)
Through April 2
The Opulence: A Paint with Cami Collection — “This new collection of work will be dedicated to authentic human connection. Displaying the importance of intimacy we share just by stay close not just physically but emotionally and spiritually. We are stronger together then apart.” There will be a reception 5 to 6 p.m. March 18.
Through April 29
Stellular — Kathryn Cellerini Moore has a question: How can the process of making and experiencing art reveal pathways toward positive stewardship for our planet and beyond? Kathryn is a self-proclaimed nerd whose interdisciplinary work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. She reuses and recycles media to create immersive experiences for people to reflect on our collective, multifaceted potential as just one species among many. To do this, Kathryn points to the invisible or unnoticed wonders that surround us every day and offers viewers space to be curious and ask what is possible. There will be a closing reception on April 28.
AT SALEM ON THE EDGE
From fine art, up-and-coming artists, graffiti muralists and more, Salem on the Edge features work by PNW artists in a variety of media for purchase and in rotating exhibits. Stop in and visit at 156 Liberty St. NE. Info: salemontheedge.com.
March
Explore the work of featured artist Ron Conrad and guest artist Eddie Reed. Ron’s work (paintings and kinetic sculptures) dives into the relationship between people and movement and time. It also explores the connections and disconnections people have with themselves and their dreams. Eddie’s work “wonders aloud about contradicting behaviors. It tells stories of past and current struggles and carries a message of hope for the future. It pushes the viewer to confront socially out-of-balance contradictions by questioning systemic racism and privilege.”
At Gallery 444
Located within Elsinore Framing & Fine Art Gallery at 444 Ferry St. SE, Gallery 444 hosts monthly exhibits highlighting artists from in and around Salem. Info: 503-581-4642, elsinoregallery.com
March features work by Lafayette, Oregon artist Tricia Heiser-Wente. Opening reception 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 3.
