Will make a unique hand-carved stamp available each month during First Weekend

On June 2-3, the arts community of Toledo will kick off a year-long series of themed First Weekend art events and is inviting the public to come be a part of the fun.  Front and center all year will be the free Passport to Toledo Arts, in which attendees can collect a new, unique hand-carved stamp each month.  The stamps will be tied to that month’s featured artist and theme.  Each month during First Weekend, visitors will be able to meet and talk to the artists, see their work, and collect a stamp in their passport. By the end of the year, the Passport will contain a full set of miniature limited edition prints by artists in Toledo.  More information is available online at www.toledoarts.info.

The first month’s event, themed “Make a Splash,” will be held on Saturday from 11-5 at SolaLuna Studios, and Doug Haga’s work will be featured. Those who are interested in participating may pick up a free Passport at the feature events or any time at any of the participating galleries and studios. In May, 2013, the Passports will be completed and the year-long event will conclude with a free concert in the new Amphitheater overlooking theYaquinaRiverinToledoto celebrate a year of art inToledo.

First Weekend receptions at participating galleries and studios throughout Toledo will be held on Saturday and Sunday, June 2 & 3, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Becky Miller’s newest three paintings are now on display at Ozone Fine Art, located on Newport’s bayfront.  The current show will continue through the first week of June.  Miller has a total of seven works at Ozone, all depicting kelp and tidepools.

Artists in Toledo have taken another step forward in our joint publicity efforts with the publication of our “Comprehensive Guide to Artists, Studios, Galleries, Art Museums, Art Events, and Art Attractions in Toledo, Oregon.”  The brochure, which is being distributed to locations throughout Oregon, was funded by a grant from the Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund and aims to increase cultural tourism in Toledo.

Members of the Art Walk Board, L-R: Ivan Kelly, Judy Gibbons, Becky Miller, and Michael Gibbons.

Contained in the brochure is a map showing all locations in Toledo where art may be viewed by the public, including studios, galleries, museums, and public art, such as the city’s mosaic mural and fountains, and the many art benches created by Sam Briseño.  Also included is information on Toledo’s annual Labor Day Weekend Art Walk and monthly First Weekend art events, as well as a directory of Toledo artists, so visitors can get the flavor of the local art scene.

Toledo’s Art Walk Board of Directors sought the grant through the Yaquina River Museum of Art, which sponsors Art Walk, and oversaw the production of the brochure.  The Board was particularly focused on making it as easy as possible for tourists to enjoy the unique and ample art experience that Toledo offers.  “We conducted an extensive outreach effort to local artists,” said Michael Gibbons, President of the Art Walk Board.  “We wanted to be sure that all artists who were interested in being a part of this effort had the opportunity to get a free listing in the Guide.”

“The arts community in Toledo is very diverse and active, with a tremendous amount of talent concentrated and accessible in a small area,” says Board member Becky Miller. “We are thrilled to be working together to increase the public’s awareness of this cultural resource and all look forward to sharing our love of art with the community and tourists who come to Toledo to enjoy it.”

One of our Art Walk artists, Michael Gibbons, is being featured in a special three-man show beginning April 30 at Oregon State University. ”THE INESCAPABLE NATURE: THREE OREGON PAINTERS” also features work by Oregon artists William Shumway and Mike Rangner.

This exhibit features a collection of oil and acrylic works by painters Michael Gibbons, Toledo, William Shumway, Corvallis, and Mike Rangner, Corvallis that give evidence to the contemplative and inspired combination the artist’s nature and Oregon’s nature can produce. Each artist will have a substantial number of paintings on display for the viewer to see regarding the Northwest and the artist’s exploration of same.

The show opens April 30 and runs through May 31, 2012 at the Guistina Gallery located at 100 Lasells Stewart Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, (541) 737 3116 and http://oregonstate.edu/lasells/.  A reception for the artists will be held Friday, May 18 from 6:30-8:30pm and the public is cordially invited to attend to talk with the artists about their work. Michael Gibbons, Toledo, will show 14 paintings in oil done ala prima (outdoors)of the land and architectural features thereon. For more information about the work of Michael Gibbons please visit his website: www.michaelgibbons.net

View of Cape Disappointment

Welcome to our new website!  Over the next few weeks, we will be building and expanding this website to showcase the many talented artists who participate in Toledo’s monthly First Weekend and Annual Labor Day Weekend Art Walk events.  We hope you enjoy our work and look forward to meeting you in our galleries and studios!