Art Notes

More than a pretty face

On any cloudy day a photographer can arrange his subject and with perhaps a few clicks of a button find a perfect rendition of the person before him staring back through the screen. For painters or drawers, however, the task is likely more laborious.

Portraiture is famously ancient. While subjects may not need to sit for a painter the way a model must have for Michelangelo, the form is alive and well. Silverton’s Dovetail Gallery presents a collection of portraits – photography, paintings, and drawings – by seven local artists from June 5-July 31.

Meant to capture the human ability to self-reflect, the display showcases portraits completed in a range of mediums to explore how artists capture the human likeness. Some of the works are self-portraits or persons close to the artist: family and friends. The art, described on the gallery’s website as “intimate and personal” is the vision of Ken Cohen, Mark Erlander, Patti Battin, John Labovitz, Lee Christianse, and Jeannie Cartabiano.

As part of Silverton’s First Friday, the gallery hosts the reception for “Pursuing the Portrait,” on June 5 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Regular gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Rough around the edges

A two-woman art show takes the forefront at Mary Lou Zeek Gallery from June 2-June 27, showcasing the unframed artwork of Laura Mack and Katherine Dunn.

The exhibit entitled, "Somewhere," hosts artwork completed on paper.

Dunn, an illustrator from Yamhill, often finds her muse right outside of her own farm house. Her animals and a nearby lavender field provide her with inspiration.

A successfully commissioned artist who has worked with Target, Neiman Marcus, Hallmark, and the Wall St. Journal, Dunn employs the use of acrylic mixed with pencil, pastel, found papers and fabric.

Mack, a Salem-based artist who teaches full time at Chemeketa Community College, is a painter and drawer. Trained classically in Italy, Mack also creates collages.

Her subjects range from people, to animals, to houses and sometimes includes text.

An artist's reception for this show is scheduled on June 3, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Daily gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Kids camp at the park

Children have a chance this summer to make a splash outside of the pool by participating in art camps, such as those offered through the Salem Art Association at Bush Park.

Art Attack, for kids ages 12-15, is a two-week course meant to encourage creativity and skill through hands-on art media. Artists work with kids to impart technique and style while allowing for experimentation. Gallery visits and outdoor crafts are integrated into each session.

Beginning June 29 and meeting through July 10, Art Attack is held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Friday. The class is limited to eight participants. The cost for the camp is $190 for non-members and $175 for members. Another session is scheduled for August 10-21.

For younger children, camp is just Art in the Park. Salem Art Association offers two-week session from June 15-26 and June 29-July 10 with a choice of a morning, afternoon, or all-day session. Emphasis during these camps is on the artistic process, encouraging individual style. Gallery visits and crafts are also included.

All-day campers have different instructor in the morning and afternoon session, meant to provide a broad variety of learning experience. Morning or afternoon session cost $190 for non-members and $175 for members. All day camp costs $370 for non-members and $343 for members.

For more information on these or other classes, call 503-581-2228 ext. 313.