(Above: Siuslaw River by Bonnie Smith)
Edited by Randi Bjornstad
The Emerald Art Center has its usual variety of artworks and contributing artists displayed on the walls during June 2024, but one of them is quite special: oil, watercolor, and pastel paintings by Bonnie Smith, who turns 97 years old in June. Her show includes many pieces of art that never have been shown before and will be priced to sell.
Not only that, but Smith has written a memoir — when she was a mere 92 years old — that also will be available for purchase. It is titled, Black-Eyed Peas and Turnip Greens.
Trees3 by Susanna Bemetz of Coquille
Besides the Smith show, the art center also is featuring an exhibit called Raptors of the Pacific Northwest, put together by the Cascades Raptor Center. It includes artwork from the center’s 2024 Raptor Art Challenge, featuring portraits of Northwest birds of prey by Oregon artists, including owls, eagles, falcons, osprey, hawks and vultgures. This show is a juried exhibition that also includes a selection of works by youthful as well as adult artists.
And there’s even more. Each year, Chamber Music Amici puts out a call for artwork to embellish their musical season, and for the 2024-25 season it will be creations by Susanna Bemetz of Coquille, including alcohol-ink paintings and monotype prints.
And of course, recent work by members of the Emerald Art Center also will have their place to shine. All of the exhibits will be on display through June 28, 2024.
Emerald Art Center’s Second Friday Reception
When: 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 14
Where: Emerald Art Center, 500 Main St., Springfield
Regular gallery hours: 11 a.m. to 4 pm. Tuesday through Saturday
Information: 541-726-8595 or emeraldartcenter.org
