(Above: Isabel Dutroncy creates vibrant oil-on-panel paintings that reflect the colors and scenes of her native Mexico City, where she lived before coming to Oregon in 1980.)

By Randi Bjornstad

Alison Shiboski’s fine jewelry is part of the Maude Kerns Art Center show on the Fourth of July

There’s a big hole in the arts events of the summer with the cancellation of the traditional three-day Art in the Vineyard festival because of the coronavirus pandemic, but the sponsoring Maude Kerns Art Center is stepping into the breach with a series of smaller Art in the Courtyard events.

The first one will take place from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 4.

Indoors in the center’s main gallery, three artists will be featured. That show includes  small abstract paintings and painted paper collages by Zoe Cohen; Isabel Dutroncy’s oil-on-wood panels and painted gourds; and fine jewelry of precious metals and gemstones by Alison Shiboski.

Outdoors in the courtyard, the Art for Your Garden part of the show features Jerry Rosa of Not Just Wood, creator of garden art that includes decorative pieces as well as whimsical but functional wooden birdhouses. Helen Rosenau of Kabbalah Glass will show fused glass prayer flags for the garden. Michael and Jen Strong of Get Bent Copperworks will bring a variety of their copper garden art and plant supports.

Food will be available from a local vendor, along with wines from Rainsong Winery.

The suggested donation for the event is $5 per person. Precautions for attending the event — masks and social distancing — will be in accordance with State of Oregon guidelines.

Future Art in the Courtyard events will take place on Saturday, Aug. 1 and Saturday, Aug. 29.

Art in the Courtyard (and Art for Your Garden) Show

When: Noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 4

Where: Maude Kerns Art Center 1910 E. 15th Ave., Eugene (corner of 15th and Villard streets)

Regular gallery hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon 4 p.m. Saturday during scheduled exhibits

Information: 541-345-1571 or online at mkartcenter.org

Michael and Jen Strong of Get Bent Copperworks will show their garden art in the Art for Your Garden portion of the Art in the Courtyard festival at the Maude Kerns Art Center on the Fourth of July