Fall Foliage Studio Tour this weekend

Rip will be participating in the West Columbia Gorge Fall Studio Tour this coming weekend, October 19 and 20, 2013,  with an opening reception on Friday, October 18, 6-9 p.m. The opening reception will be held at the Exhibition Gallery at 360 Wanapa St, Cascade Locks, OR. At the opening reception you’ll be able to see samples of each artist’s work, meet the artists, and pick up your map. This will be a great opportunity to enjoy the Columbia River Gorge ad visit participating artist’s studios at the same time. Of course, Rip will in his studio, too, so make us your first stop!

The 2013 Fall Foliage Studio Tour event is a free, self-guided event sponsored by the West Columbia Gorge Chamber of Commerce. See Mother Nature’s finest work as she and artists throughout the area create with the magic of nature and inspiration! Enjoy a historic and spectacular scenic journey as you experience our communities and meet the artists who live and create here. Awe-inspiring views will surround you as you meander through the Gateway to the Columbia River Gorge visiting the artists as they work in their studios!

The Tour
Artists’ studios will be open 11am-5pm daily both Saturday and Sunday, October 19 and 20. The Exhibition Gallery closes Sunday, October 20, at 5 pm when the “People’s Choice” award will be announced.

Leaf-Themed Auction
To raise money for subsequent studio tours, each participating artist has created and donated a leaf-themed piece of art. The pieces will be displayed at the Exhibition Gallery all week and final bids will be accepted until 9 pm on October 20.

We hope to see you on the Tour!

What about wine?

If you’ve been a fan of Caswell Gallery, then you surely know of our long time friendship with Phelps Creek Vineyards of Hood River. More often than not, Jon Wadman of  Phelps Creek Vineyards, joins us on First Friday, and other special occasions, to share his knowledge and recommendations during our complimentary wine tastings. At the Gallery, we all have varying degrees of wine savvy, so we thought it would be great to ask Jon Wadman, our perennial wine rep, to share some of his expertise.

Caswell Gallery: What makes a great wine?
Jon Wadman: A great winemaker. Each palate is different, and with so many wine philosophies, the most important thing is finding your great wine and why you like it.

CG: Is Rosé really making a comeback?
JW: Definitely, but they are dry and more sophisticated; and more experimental with regards to the grapes used—if it’s coming from one varietal or blended.

CG: What wines do you recommend for the fall?
JW: My favorite fall white wine is a Chardonnay with baking spice notes, it suites the chilling weather and hearty foods well. We bottle several great ones, but I love the Chardonnay from Celilo Vineyard on Underwood Mountain, WA.  Also, a really earthy Pinot Noir, with that great cigar box notes found in 2008 from my own collection.

CG: Blends or varietals?
JW: Varietals, personally, but there are many wonderful blends. I like varietals because of the educational aspect of learning about the specific characteristics of the grape, vintage, and vineyard.

CG: Bottle or box?
JW: Bottle, no question about it. All romance is lost in the box!

CG: Cork or screw cap?
JW: Depends of the wine and the producer. I have had great and bad wines with both.

CG: Should we store wine laying down or upright?
JW: Laying down, if corked, which helps prevent the cork from failing due to dehydration. This is for longer period storage. Vertical is more than fine in the short term.

CG: Does the shape of the wine glass really matter? Why?
JW: Yes, based on the wine you’re enjoying. For example, Oregon Pinot Noir glasses, being tulip shaped, are better for experiencing the nose and spreading the wine across your palate.

CG: What wine is Phelps Creek Vineyard most excited about at the moment?
JW: We just bottled our first ever Sauvignon Blanc!

CG:  Are there any rules to pairing wine with food?
JW: Sure, but who would enforce them? A wine dinner I recently attended paired two wines with the same dish. One wine contrasted flavors, the other complimented.

CG: What is the most incorrect assumption you hear about wine?
JW: Rosé is for women.

CG: How should we read the wine label?
JW: With both eyes open, starting at the top left, working your way down to the bottom right.

CG: What is your background?
JW: I studied Middle Eastern politics and Arabic and fell into the wine industry.

CG: Does Phelps Creek have a tasting room?
JW: Yes, located at 1850 Country Club Road in Hood River, OR. We share space with Hood River Golf Course Club House. We are open from 11-5 every day.

CG: Would you share a few interesting facts about Phelp’s Creek Vineyard?
JW: Our winemaker, Alexandrine Roy commutes from her family vineyard in Burgundy, France to make our wines. We are the only vineyard offering multiple on-site wine country experience tours, taking guests through the vineyard to where the magic happens. We also have one of the most active and accommodating Wine Clubs. Members enjoy our famous annual “Salmon and Lamb Bake Dinner “which takes place just before harvest!

CG: Clearly you’re a wine lover, but do you ever drink beer?
JW: I’m an Oregonian! Of course I drink beer! Two personal Oregon favorite breweries are Double Mountain in Hood River and Crux in Bend.

Fall Foliage Studio Tour this weekend

Rip will be participating in the West Columbia Gorge Fall Studio Tour this coming weekend. This will be a great opportunity to visit the gallery and Rip’s studio.

Fall Foliage Studio Tour 2012 event is a free, self-guided event sponsored by the West Columbia Gorge Chamber of Commerce. See Mother Nature’s finest work as she and artists throughout the area create with the magic of nature and inspiration! Enjoy a historic and spectacular scenic journey as you experience our communities and meet the artists who live and create here. Awe-inspiring views will surround you as you meander through the Gateway to the Columbia River Gorge visiting the artists as they work in their studios! Part of the Fall Foliage Open Studio Tour includes a passport card which art-goers pick up at the Exhibition Gallery or from the chamber’s Troutdale location. Art-goers present their passport cards to each studio they visit. The artist then initials them, and the visitors leave their passports with the last studio artist or at the Exhibition Gallery. Passports will be entered into a drawing for 5 beautiful metalized leaves. The more studios visited, the better the chance of winning.

The event begins with the opening of the Exhibition Gallery in Fairview on Saturday, October 13. The gallery location at 1515 NE Village Street in Fairview, OR will be open daily 11am to 5pm, October 13 through the 21st. Samples of each artist’s work will be on display October 13 through the 21st. Friday evening, October 19, at 6 pm there will be a gala opening at the Exhibition Gallery to meet the artists and mingle with other art enthusiasts as they sample hors d’oeuvres. The silent auction will continue through the evening. Guests will bid on their favorite leaf-themed art pieces and cast their votes for the “people’s choice” award.

The Tour
Artists’ studios will be open 11am-5pm daily both Saturday and Sunday, October 20-21. The Exhibition Gallery closes Sunday, October 21, at 5 pm with a cast party at 6 pm featuring the artists. The “People’s Choice” award and “Passport” prizes will be awarded at this time. Greet the artists one last time as we celebrate and share our adventures. Next year’s Exhibition Gallery will be in Cascade Locks, OR.

Leaf-Themed Auction
To raise money for subsequent studio tours, each participating artist has created and donated a leaf-themed piece of art. The pieces will be displayed at the Exhibition Gallery all week and final bids will be accepted until 9 pm at the end of the gala event the evening of October 19.

Northwest Coast Indian Art

Indigenous art of the Northwest Coastal Indians has its origins in the geographic area covering Northern California to Southwestern Alaska. Some familiar tribes include the Chinook, Tlingit, Haida, Coast Salish, Tsimshian, and Quileute. Categorized by such iconic art forms as totem poles, ceremonial masks, basketry and carved panels, this art is defined by the use of bold, stylized shapes and distinct colors. Common subjects include animals, humans, and mythological interpretations incorporated as often to satisfy superstitions, as to honor events or individuals.

Indian art of the Northwest Coast has been identified as far back as 6000 years ago. It is thought that the long months of winter offered these tribes the opportunity to devote this time to their ceremonial traditions and the creation of this symbolic and highly representational art. The artifacts served both function and aesthetics and were utilized for practical as well as ceremonial purposes.

Masks and totem poles are perhaps most synonymous with Northwest Coast Indian art. Cedar, native to the area was readily available and most often used in carving. Common animal subjects in all tribal art forms included ravens, eagles, killer whales, and salmon. These were often depicted as mythological entities, illustrating the transcendence of earthly attributes.

The raven was considered of great importance and thought of as something of an imposter, with the ability to mimic other forms. The eagle’s size and power, symbolized social status and prestige, as well as peace and friendship. Whales and salmon were also familiar motifs. Whales became the subjects of stories handed down by the tribal elders and illustrated through art. Salmon, an abundant food source, were also honorably portrayed.

Native American art of the coastal Indians is unique to this part of North America and has a history rich in lore and tribal traditions. If you are interested in learning more about Northwest Coast Indian art, we are lucky to enjoy fantastic collections in both the Portland Art Museum and Seattle Art Museum. If you’re attending First Thursday, be sure to visit Quintana Galleries. This gallery has specialized in Native American art, including Northwest Coast Indian art for 40 years in the Portland area.

If you would like to view authentic totem poles, put Pioneer Square in Seattle on your list; and if you find yourself in Victoria, BC, Thunderbird Park at the Royal BC Museum.

Even closer to home, we will be showing the sculpture of Alaskan artists Jacques and Mary Regat during the month of October. The work of these fine artists reflects their love of Alaskan culture and heritage. Jacques and Mary will be in the Gallery on First Friday, October 5 to share their art and enjoy the festivities. Be sure to put it on your calendar!

Great Art Museums in the Pacific Northwest

We have several popular fine art art museums in the region. The Portland Art Museum and the Seattle Art Museum are the two best known, but we also can boast about many more, not so well known museums with their own exquisite collections and special exhibits. Below we have linked you up with several so you can learn a little more and perhaps pay a visit. Be sure to share anything great you come across—we would love to hear about your visits.

Coos Art Museum, Coos Bay, OR
Oregon Historical Society, Portland, OR
The Burke Museum, Seattle, WA
Frye Art Museum, Seattle, WA
Asian Art Museum, Seattle, WA
Museum of History & Industry, Seattle, WA
Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellevue, WA
Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma, WA
Museum of Glass, Tacoma, WA
Maryhill Museum of Art, Goldendale, WA
Museum of Northwest Art, La Connor, WA
Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, Spokane, WA
Whatcom Museum of History and Art, Bellingham, WA

Universities often have fantastic museums and impressive collections. Next time you’re near one of these campuses, reserve a little extra time and enjoy one of these museum stops. Even better, they’re often free!
 
Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Willamette University, Salem, OR
Schneider Museum of Art, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
Henry Art Gallery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Museum of Art, Washington State University, Pullman, WA

Several museums have outdoor sculpture gardens that pair breathtaking scenery with awesome art. Take a stroll through one of these parks and enjoy a picnic lunch at the same time.

Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle, WA
San Juan Islands Museum of Art & Sculpture Park, Friday Harbor, WA
Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle, WA
Western Gallery, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA

Many of these museums have free evenings once a month and also are partners with other cultural venues. Be sure to ask about these discount opportunities. If you’re traveling, ask about a AAA discount, which many offer as well.