Special Events

Virtual Reception for “Emergence” Exhibit

Pacific Northwest Sculptors hosted a virtual for the “Emergence” online sculpture exhibit. View the recorded event. The reception celebrated the first online sculpture exhibit presented by the group. Entrants from 32 states submitted over 500 works.

View Reception Video

View Exhibit

Best of Show: John Siblik – River Weaving,

Author, critic and curator, Richard Speer was the juror for the exhibit. He shared his observations and discussed his selections. The show included 61 pieces.

“River Weaving,” received the Best of Show award, created by John Siblik, Associate Professor of Art at Northern Illinois University. The environmental installation represents years of evolution from concept to realization. The piece includes 103 elements installed in a quarter mile of river.

As Siblik describes his installation, “The river forms the Warp and the Elements placed in the river form the Weft. Each Element is 6 feet by 3 feet by three feet. The elements are made from Willow canes which often grow along rivers, marshes and wetlands. The original design for River Weaving dates to 1986.”

Other award winners include: First place to Stephanie Robison; Second Place to Gard Jones; and Honorable Mentions for Jessica Bodner and Karen Theisen.

PNWS International Sculpture Day

Oregon Society of Artists, Pacific Northwest Sculptors and Helensview School celebrate International Sculpture Day through a collaborative sculpture project.

“Unrecognized” is the theme of this unique sculpture project. The live and virtual event honors artists whose contributions or participation has been excluded, ignored or never acknowledged. The theme was inspired by a recent installation in Mt. Tabor Park, a bust of York, a member of the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery. York was a slave.

Though he was a full participant in the expedition, he received no credit and remained a slave long after his contribution ended. A monumental sculpture titled “York” was installed by an anonymous artist to honor the contribution of York instead of himself.

Chayo Wilson will lead a group of students in a collaborative “stacked” sculpture during the live event.

The collaborative event will include students from Helensview School as they create elements for a “stacked sculpture.” Each student will create one layer of the stack in clay. Once glazed and fired, layers will be stacked to create a tower. The finished sculpture will be displayed in the garden adjacent the entry at OSA.

The live stream Zoom event will include observations by leadership from Helensview School, OSA and interviews with members of Pacific Northwest Sculptors. Viewing via Zoom opens the door to observe, listen and even create an element of your own.

Pacific Northwest Sculptors is an educational nonprofit of contemporary sculptors serving the public through sculpture education programs and sculpture exhibitions. It is a dynamic, inclusive community of working artists who inspire and support each other’s growth with ideas, skills, and knowledge.

OSA promotes the visual arts in the diverse communities of the region, with educational and exhibition opportunities for artists at all levels of accomplishment.

International Sculpture Day is organized by the International Sculpture Center, its affiliates and chapters worldwide. Pacific Northwest Sculptors participates in this event each year featuring demonstrations, talks and interactive activities.

Art Play Day at Murphy Sculpture Studio

I’ve wanted to do this since Carole first asked me to announce it. I finally made the third iteration and was not disappointed. What a hoot. Here’s the idea. On certain Wednesdays, (to be announced to members) Carole Murphy opens her sculpture studio and her immense collection of oddities for members to use as they see fit.

Now I just stuffed my collection of “I may want to make something out of this someday” items in a 10’ x 20’ storage unit. Compared to Carole’s collection that is puny and I am filled with shame. That is to say, there is a rich collection of materials and media available at Carole’s sculpture studio. There is a wall of chisels, beaver chunks, shiny doodads, and feathery bits from some creature that died in the sea. There is fodder here, workbenches, and tools. If like me you toil in a studio alone, with little heat, and poor light, rats nibbling at your heals, a visit here would be a welcome relief.

Art Play Day at Murphy Sculpture Studio - small sculpture - Jan 2020

Art Play Day at Murphy Sculpture Studio - wood pieces - Jan 2020

Sculpture Studio or Candy Land…

Right off I found most of some wooden puppet thing that had suffered decapitation. Carole offered the head of the temple lion dog which I obtained by means of a cement saw. I spent the session carving down the neck so it would fit in the body of the puppet thing. I was successful in this. Not only that but it no longer looks like a lion dog but more like a pig and I’m not done yet. I don’t know where this is going. I don’t know what’s in that chunk of head cement. All I know is that I hope it’s worthy.

Art Play Day at Murphy Sculpture Studio - George Heath - Jan 2020

Joe Cartino appeared. Being a sculptor of put-together bits I am not surprised that he would be drawn to such a place. Here he examines some artifact to determine if it could be art or he should put it down quickly, back away, and go wash his hands.

Art Play Day at Murphy Sculpture Studio - Joe Cartino - Jan 2020

What are these? you may ask. These are the things that beavers chuck out of trees. The inedible bits they spit out as they take down your price Japanese maple. Wouldn’t it be fun to make a beaver out of those?

Here’s a box of letter stamps. Old school letter stamps. It goes on and on. Shiny and matt, plastic, metal, wood and shell, antique and newish. It is a thing of mine. If I miss my hoard I can go here and feel at home. Watch for announcements. This is a fun thing and a chance to collaborate or just show what you’ve made to another sculptor who will understand and not think you are weird because of it. Then again…

Here are some of the thousands of things available:

Art Play Day at Murphy Sculpture Studio - letters - Jan 2020

To learn more about Pacific Northwest Sculptors events, contact us today!