(Above: Erdem Selek’s “Plus-Minus” screwdriver set have got to be among the fanciest ever. He is one of of 24 University of Oregon faculty members in the new Center for Art Research facility at 50 Oak St., which is part of the First Friday ArtWalk in downtown Eugene.)

Posted by Anne-Allegra Bennett

Ring in December and all kinds of holiday cheer with Lane Arts Council’s First Friday ArtWalk on Dec. 7. Riley Grannan, all-around arts enthusiast, longtime dancer, and former executive director of The Eugene Ballet Company, will jeté his way from one stop to another on the official guided tour, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Guided tour

The tour begins at 5:30 p.m., at the 510 Oak Building (510 Oak St.), a newly renovated, 14,000-square-foot art and design research building that houses the University of Oregon’s new Center for Art Research and the studios of 24 faculty members of the School of Art + Design. Potential activities at the center include artists-in-residence, lectures, exhibitions, symposia, publications, performances, and experimental projects. Upwards of two dozen of the faculty members will show their work during the ArtWalk, including digital media, ceramics, fibers, jewelry, metalsmithing, photography, painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, product design, and sports product design.

Next up is the 5th Street Public Market (296 E 5th Ave) at 6:00 p.m. Barbara Counsil shows plein air oil paintings created over the last year specifically for the ArtWalk. Her vistas include the 5th St Public Market itself plus Mt. Rainier and Sunset Falls in Washington, and several landscapes from northern California. “The best part of plein air painting is watching the light move,” Counsil says. “Painting from life forces an artist to be loose and quick, but (also to) focus with a keen eye at the same time.” Counsil is on the Board of Directors at the Maude Kerns Art Center and works as an Oregon State Park ranger assistant in the summers. Check out her work at marbart.net.

Richard Bartlett’s mixed-media art is on show at Modern, one of the official stops on the December First Friday ArtWalk

At 6:30 p.m. the tour stops at MODERN (207 E. Fifth Ave.), where Richard Bartlett displays his multi-layered pieces in the show “Studies in Depth.” The pieces are mixed-media, often starting with acrylic followed by layers of charcoal, pastel, spray paint, ink, paint pens, oil stick, sometimes collage, nail polish, make up and oil paint. Bartlett says his goal is “to create depth, intrigue and balance, to draw the viewers in and keep them there for a while” through creation of works that are “abstract, but recognizable,” in a concept he calls “abstract conceptualism.”

Eugene Mindworks (207 E. 5th Ave, Suite 220) at 7:00 p.m. features arts and crafts made exclusively by children. Sprout Children’s Business Expo and the Multicultural Children’s Art Museum and Education Center partner for the evening, featuring showing and selling work by 40 children experiencing  entrepreneurship.

Framin’ Artworks (505 High St) at 7:30 p.m. is the last stop on the tour, and for the month of December, small original work by 14 local artists are featured in different mediums. The artists include Jo Dunnick, Nancy Wade, Deigh Bates, Kristina Rust, Catherine Meyer, Holly Fury, Victoria Biedron, Lisa Livoni, Roka Walsh, Kirsten Shende, Sherri Smith Holgate, Karen Higgins, Margaret Plumb, and Patti McNutt.

More arts and culture

As usual, there are many additional galleries, shops and organizations that remain open for the First Friday ArtWalk evening, often offering their own art exhibits, including”

  • Broadway Commerce Center (44 W. Broadway) —

    “Eug Puddle” is one of David CP Placencia’s artworks on display at the Broadway Commerce Center

    “Khaostasis: Flights of Fancy,” by David CP Placencia. Paintings highlighting  memories of living in Eugene, focusing on science, nature, and memory, plus artwork by some of his student artists and apprentices; reception begins at 6 p.m.

  • Cowfish (62 W Broadway) — Paintings by Troy Jacobson, on display through January 14.
  • ECO Sleep Solutions and Gallery (25 E 8th Ave) — Felted wool home décor and apparel by Tylar Merrill; clay tile collages by Annie Heron; hand-painted wood pieces and hand-painted silk apparel by Lybi Thomas; wood sculptures and stone carvings by Cedar Caredio; and Luminessence light sculptures by Stephen White.
  • Epic Seconds (30 E. 11th Ave.) — “Kick Out the Jams: The Test Prints of Blunt Graffix,” art by Matt Dey of Blunt Graffix,  hashing out coincidence and technique, discovery and accident, in one-of-a-kind test prints; on display through January 2, 2019.
  • Eugene Public Library (100 W 10th Ave) — Paintings by Stephen Hermansen and sculptures by Linda Dyer; concert at 6 p.m. of 16th-18th century music from England, Ireland and Scotland, by Byrdsong Renaissance Consort.
  • Euphoria Chocolate Company (946 Willamette St.) —

    William Craighead creates art by photographing old lightbulbs; his photos can be seen at Euphoria Chocolate Company

    “Lighting in a Bottle,” photographs of light bulbs by William Craighead, featuring Edison bulbs, LEDs, and the humble-yet-spunky twinkle light.

  • Goldworks Jewelry Art Studio (169 E Broadway) — Original jewelry by Goldworks staff.
  • InEugene Real Estate (100 E Broadway) — “BCKTLST,” by Portland artist Rayney Meisel.
  • Karin Clarke Gallery (760 Willamette St) — New paintings of heads, figures, bullfighting, circus-themes, and more by Adam Grosowsky, through January 12th.
  • The Lincoln Gallery (309 W 4th Ave) — Showcase and Year-End Sale, featuring artwork created through the OSLP Arts & Culture Program.
  • LovaKava Kava Bar & Restaurant (120 W Broadway) — featuring Kava beverage and original art.
  • Mosaic Fair Trade Collection (28 E Broadway) — Fair trade art and handicrafts from around the world, and fair trade wine tasting.
  • The New Zone Gallery (220 W. 8th Ave.) — “The Diversity of Glass,” work by Jo Ann Syron and “Concluding Expectations” by Dennis Duvaul, and the annual Holiday Store, open through December 28 with handcrafted gifts, cards, prints, jewelry, ornaments, glassware, and more; live music by Steve Goodbar.
  • Oregon Art Supply (1020 Pearl St.) — “Collected Memories,” a show in honor of the late Beverly Soasey’s creative spirit, featuring pieces by Soasey collected by some of her friends through the years; open until 6 p.m.
  • Out On a Limb Gallery (191 E Broadway) — “Art For Art’s

    Michael Whitenack is one of the artists whose work is part of a benefit display at Out on a Limb Gallery

    Sake,” a benefit show up through January, featuring donated work by artists that have displayed at the gallery over the past 7 years; proceeds to help with gallery expenses through the end of its lease in June . Also on display, a WhitPrint exhibit of work by Patricia Cheney, professor Emerita of Pacific University and current instructor at Multnomah Art Center in Portland.

  • Passionflower Design (128 E Broadway) — Live music, sparkling libations, and custom gift wrapping plus a jewelry trunk show featuring the handmade work of Corvallis jeweler, Liz Grant, featuring one-of-a-kind geological wonders incorporated into hand-wrought and hand-tooled metalwork.
  • Raven Frame Works (325 W. 4th Ave.) — Work by the proprietors, Anne Korn and Terry Way, featuring her ink and watercolor drawings focusing on natural flora, and an eclectic jumble of his recent creative curiosities.
  • Starlight Lounge (830 Olive St.) — “Bon Bons, Betties and Bouffants!”, mixed-media work by Bonnie Bozell, featuring large retro/nostalgic holiday illustrations as full color prints. Instagram: @bbozellart
  • Townshend’s Teahouse (41 W. Broadway) — Wreaths created by local farmer Angelina Hellar, made with materials she has grown and foraged.
  • White Lotus Gallery (767 Willamette St.) — “Connecting

    Judy Ness’s intricate landscape tapestries can be viewed at the White Lotus Gallery

    the Threads,” featuring tapestry by Judy Ann Ness using her unique hybrid krokbragd-tapestry technique in pieces evoking Norwegian textiles and Navajo weaving tecchniques; on display through Dec. 11.

 

Additional special event

No Shame Eugene (99 W. 10th Ave.) — The doors open at 7:30 p.m. with live music. The show begins at 8 p.m. with 15 original, fiveminute acts including monologues, sketch comedy, and the experimental. Each show consists of the first15 acts to register with the host when doors open. Come to perform, but there’s no shame in just watching! 

About Lane Arts Council

Lane Arts Council, founded in 1976, is a nonprofit organization that cultivates strong and creative arts communities in Lane County. We provide in-school arts education programs, support local artists and arts organizations, and coordinate community programs such as the popular First Friday ArtWalk.

December ArtWalk Sponsor: Eugene Ballet — The annual performance of Peter Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker will be 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 21; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 22; and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 23., in the Silva Concert Hall at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts at Seventh and Willamette streets in downtown Eugene. Tickets are available at the Hult Center box office, 541-682-5000, or online at hultcenter.org. 

December ArtWalk Media Sponsor: KLCC — National Public Radio for Oregonians is on the dial at 89.7 FM, with news, arts, and music; information at klcc.org.

(Below: Detail from one of Adam Grosowsky’s large, bold, vividly colored paintings, which appear with some regularity at the Karin Clarke Gallery)