(Above: David Lunney’s The Eve of St. Sylvester)

By Randi Bjornstad

For those who aren’t familiar with David Lunney and his artistic accomplishments, the Maude Kerns Art Center offers an extensive look at his work in an exhibit titled Of Dreams and Dragons: A David Lunney Retrospective, opening on April 5 with a free 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. reception and running through April 26.

Then, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, there will be a one-hour, family-led discussion, Connections & Conversations, about Lunney and his work.

This exhibit features more than 70 of his artworks, including monotypes, prints, paintings, drawings, sketchbooks and handmade artifacts, many of which have never been displayed before.

David Lunney, undated photo

But Lunney also had another artistic side during his 45-year career. He was artistic director of the Oregon Repertory Theatre for seven years and had an extensive career in film and television in Los Angeles as head of his own independent production company.

Even before all that, Lunney earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of Oregon, focusing on printmaking and painting, after which he worked for a year in the Maude Kerns Art Center’s printmaking studio, creating a series of mixed-media monotypes.

His artistic expression drew not only on anthropology but also literature, mythology, and shamanic traditions, as well as history, landscape art, and architecture, especially that of Florence, Italy, where he lived for many years.

A special feature the Of Dreams and Dragons show will be an art quilt designed by Lunney, one of eight that he created under the name of Healing Quilt Cycle, honoring the Hawaiian tradition of using healing blankets, or kapa ho’ola.

Lunney and his wife, Lucy Lamkin, designed and printed the quilt pieces, each of which represent one of Hawaii’s main islands, which were then assembled by Lynne Macdonald and machine-quilted by Donna Larson.

Two days before the exhibit ends, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24, there will be a concert by the jazz musicians of Jake and the Hellcats.

Of Dreams and Dragons: A David Lunney Retrospective

When: April 5 through 26, 2024

Where: Maude Kerns Art Center, 1910 E. 15th Ave., Eugene

Special events:

  • Opening reception 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 5
  • Connections & Conversations, a retrospective talk about Lunney’s work, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 6
  • Closing concert with Jake and the Hellcats from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24

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

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

Pomodoro(1) by David Lunney