(Above: Detail from Cylinder Flowers by Allen Ott)

Edited by Randi Bjornstad

Works by 10 “techno artists” are on display through June 27 at the Emerald Art Center under the title Past, Present and Future Relics.

Jud Turner, known for his metal renditions of animals, shows his “Giraffe” at the Emerald Art Center in June.

The show includes creations by eight members of The Museum of Techno Art — artists Joe Mross, Barbora Bakalarova, Jud Turner, Renee Mahni, Rob Bolman,, Steve La Riccia, Max Rink, and Allen Ott — plus guest artists Ralf Huber and Neil Conner.

Also known as MTA, the group describes itself as “a collective of dreamers and makers, showcasing art with technology and industrial themes,” who look back at human invention of the past, imagine machines of the future and combine those ideas into one-of-a-kind sculptural creations.

The eclectic products of these imaginings will be front and center during the Second Friday Art Walk in downtown Springfield on June 13, with a reception for the artists from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The group has non-profit status and hopes to attract new members and expand its activities in the future.

The June exhibits at the Emerald Art Center also include shows of art by two center members — Nik Skoog and Patti McNutt — that feature their oil paintings of birds, under the title, The Bird Whisperers.

Both have been devoted to painting birds for years, Skoog often focusing on species seen while kayaking on Fern Ridge or walking along the Willamette River in Springfield, and McNutt honing her focus in her own back yard during the forced seclusion caused that accompanied the Covid pandemic, but later including birds seen in more far-flung bird walks.

June at the Emerald Art Center

Where: 500 Main St., Springfield

Gallery hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday

Special event: Reception for the artists, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 13, 2025

Information: emeraldartcenter.org

 

“Painting #2” by Nik Skoog

Patti McNutt’s “Vermilion Flycatcher”