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By Art Presence, 381 contributed posts
View all Art Presence's posts. About the author: Founded by artist Anne Brooke, Art Presence is an art organization operating as a non-profit under the Arts Council of Southern Oregon. We've grown from a small group of Jacksonville artists with our board meeting at the GoodBean Cafe to over 100 artists with an art center and gallery in the historic core of our charming town. Our mission is to encourage and develop a growing art presence in the city of Jacksonville, to provide venues for artists which will enhance their work and encourage patronage, to work with the merchants of Jacksonville to promote a variety of outstanding events and displays to draw visitors downtown, to inspire and educate and provide additional beauty to our city. For contact information and web links, please visit our listing at the Southern Oregon Artists Resource
Naked Art returns to the Main Gallery in January. You know how it works—members bring their fine art and hang it “naked” in the gallery without mats or frames. You get to add to your fine art collection at dramatically reduced prices and frame them the way you want. Naked Art opens on January 6, 2023 at noon and continues every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through Sunday, January 29. Opening Reception for all shows is Saturday, January 7, from 1–3 pm.
“Naked” is an old word. Biblical, in fact, and likely older than that. The etymology of the word has distance and deep roots in many of the world’s oldest languages. Naked is a word from the ancients, coming through the ages. And while having many connotations and synonyms, it means just one thing. Uncovered.
the essence of naked, of nude, is o be laid bare, the stripping of covering, which could refer to a human, a sword, a cabinet, or…art. Naked Art is not fully clothed art. No mats, no frames, just the open-to-view, unconcealed, exposed, lovingly created work of an artist.
Our 2023 Naked Art exhibition will be one for the ages.
By Art Presence, 381 contributed posts
View all Art Presence's posts. About the author: Founded by artist Anne Brooke, Art Presence is an art organization operating as a non-profit under the Arts Council of Southern Oregon. We've grown from a small group of Jacksonville artists with our board meeting at the GoodBean Cafe to over 100 artists with an art center and gallery in the historic core of our charming town. Our mission is to encourage and develop a growing art presence in the city of Jacksonville, to provide venues for artists which will enhance their work and encourage patronage, to work with the merchants of Jacksonville to promote a variety of outstanding events and displays to draw visitors downtown, to inspire and educate and provide additional beauty to our city. For contact information and web links, please visit our listing at the Southern Oregon Artists Resource
Brenda Mills Brannan
For January, we celebrate Member Artist of the Month, Brenda Mills Brannan. Of her work, Brenda says, “My art is a continuous process of self discovery. Sometimes spontaneous, sometimes as a healing process, but always evolving. I accept and embrace the journey of change. My passion for art has been a gift to myself and those who join me on my journey.”
By Art Presence, 381 contributed posts
View all Art Presence's posts. About the author: Founded by artist Anne Brooke, Art Presence is an art organization operating as a non-profit under the Arts Council of Southern Oregon. We've grown from a small group of Jacksonville artists with our board meeting at the GoodBean Cafe to over 100 artists with an art center and gallery in the historic core of our charming town. Our mission is to encourage and develop a growing art presence in the city of Jacksonville, to provide venues for artists which will enhance their work and encourage patronage, to work with the merchants of Jacksonville to promote a variety of outstanding events and displays to draw visitors downtown, to inspire and educate and provide additional beauty to our city. For contact information and web links, please visit our listing at the Southern Oregon Artists Resource
We’re sorry, but the December Memory Box Workshop, which was supposed to take place this coming Saturday, December 10, from 1 to 4 is canceled. Lauren hopes to have one in the new year, perhaps in preparation for Valentine’s Day. Thanks for understanding.
By Art Presence, 381 contributed posts
View all Art Presence's posts. About the author: Founded by artist Anne Brooke, Art Presence is an art organization operating as a non-profit under the Arts Council of Southern Oregon. We've grown from a small group of Jacksonville artists with our board meeting at the GoodBean Cafe to over 100 artists with an art center and gallery in the historic core of our charming town. Our mission is to encourage and develop a growing art presence in the city of Jacksonville, to provide venues for artists which will enhance their work and encourage patronage, to work with the merchants of Jacksonville to promote a variety of outstanding events and displays to draw visitors downtown, to inspire and educate and provide additional beauty to our city. For contact information and web links, please visit our listing at the Southern Oregon Artists Resource
Wine & Watercolor
Learn to paint with experienced watercolor painter Anne Brooke in her Wine and Watercolor workshop! We provide the art supplies, you bring your favorite wine and snacks, and we all enjoy painting together in a casual atmosphere. Call 541-941-7057 to reserve a Thursday evening with up to seven friends & family today. $25 per person, vaccinations required.
By Art Presence, 381 contributed posts
View all Art Presence's posts. About the author: Founded by artist Anne Brooke, Art Presence is an art organization operating as a non-profit under the Arts Council of Southern Oregon. We've grown from a small group of Jacksonville artists with our board meeting at the GoodBean Cafe to over 100 artists with an art center and gallery in the historic core of our charming town. Our mission is to encourage and develop a growing art presence in the city of Jacksonville, to provide venues for artists which will enhance their work and encourage patronage, to work with the merchants of Jacksonville to promote a variety of outstanding events and displays to draw visitors downtown, to inspire and educate and provide additional beauty to our city. For contact information and web links, please visit our listing at the Southern Oregon Artists Resource
The closing exhibition of 2022 is a particularly beautiful collection of works by our member artists. The show opens Friday, December 2, and closes Sunday, January 1, with a reception on Saturday, December 3, from 1–3 pm. Enjoy this sneek peek at a few of the works in this show and plan to visit the gallery and bring one home any Thursday (until 12/22), Friday, Saturday, or Sunday in December!
By Art Presence, 381 contributed posts
View all Art Presence's posts. About the author: Founded by artist Anne Brooke, Art Presence is an art organization operating as a non-profit under the Arts Council of Southern Oregon. We've grown from a small group of Jacksonville artists with our board meeting at the GoodBean Cafe to over 100 artists with an art center and gallery in the historic core of our charming town. Our mission is to encourage and develop a growing art presence in the city of Jacksonville, to provide venues for artists which will enhance their work and encourage patronage, to work with the merchants of Jacksonville to promote a variety of outstanding events and displays to draw visitors downtown, to inspire and educate and provide additional beauty to our city. For contact information and web links, please visit our listing at the Southern Oregon Artists Resource
We are delighted to host the Angels Show in our gallery for the 5th year and tremendously happy with this year’s collection of angel art. The show opened on December 2 and continues through Sunday, January 1. Please joins us for a reception where you can meet many of this year’s angel artists on Saturday, December 3, from 1–3 pm.
The Angels Show had its inaugural exhibition at the GoodBean Cafe on Oregon Street in 2012. Co-Owner Mary Kell longed to be surrounded with angels that holiday season, and she asked Hannah West, curator of the GoodBean’s art displays at the time, to put together a show of angels for the shop. Despite the last-minute calls to artists, the show was a success for artists and patrons alike. As a result, they continued the show each year until 2018. Nonetheless, Mary felt strongly that the Angels Show should continue every holiday season in Jacksonville. By this time, Hannah was serving on the Board of Art Presence, and she brought the idea to then-Director, Anne Brooke. Anne loved the idea and the angels found a new home in a real gallery!
We have had the distinct pleasure of hanging angels created in just about every medium and style known to art! The move to Art Presence made it possible to display freestanding 3D works, therefore we began to see more sculpture, assemblage, and special creations such as hand-crafted dolls.
Our focus is on the artist’s interpretation of the angel concept—we like to see the angels that live in the imagination of artists. Every one of our calls to artists has yielded incredibly creative work. Earth angels, guardian angels, peace angels, angels of hope, rescue angels, everyday angels, angels working in the midst of chaos, exhausted angels, classical, traditional, abstract, painted, sculpted, assembled, digitally created, and drawn, these and more spring forth from their inexhaustible imaginations with color, movement, emotional depth, and message.
This year’s collection of angel art builds upon the diversity and intent of the artists in previous shows. We are delighted with the quality of the work, originality of approach, and depth of interpretation across the entries from this year’s artists. Additionally, we are excited to welcome new angel artists as well as returning artists. Here is a peek at this year’s show. We will add images of individual angels as the show continues.
Join us at the reception on Saturday, December 3 from 1–3 pm to see all the angels and meet their artists!
By Art Presence, 381 contributed posts
View all Art Presence's posts. About the author: Founded by artist Anne Brooke, Art Presence is an art organization operating as a non-profit under the Arts Council of Southern Oregon. We've grown from a small group of Jacksonville artists with our board meeting at the GoodBean Cafe to over 100 artists with an art center and gallery in the historic core of our charming town. Our mission is to encourage and develop a growing art presence in the city of Jacksonville, to provide venues for artists which will enhance their work and encourage patronage, to work with the merchants of Jacksonville to promote a variety of outstanding events and displays to draw visitors downtown, to inspire and educate and provide additional beauty to our city. For contact information and web links, please visit our listing at the Southern Oregon Artists Resource
Chris Anderson
Meet our December 2022 Member Artist of the Month, Chris Anderson! A newer member of the Art Center, Anderson moved to Jacksonville in August 2020. Having grown up in Ashland and after living in San Francisco, Seattle, and Beijing, he once again calls southern Oregon home.
Anderson’s work is most easily defined as sculptural pieces that include bowls, platters, and art pieces for display. These heirloom quality pieces are created to bring out the best balance of shape and color that the individual piece of wood has to offer. He often uses wood he’s gathered from firewood piles, on walks, from felled and fallen trees, and from the Jacksonville cemetery.
The attention to detail and keen eye that Chris has honed through his woodwork also serve him well in his photography, which captures scenes and moments from his global travels.
On December 15 from 6–7:30 pm, Anderson presents a demonstration of his process of crafting a wooden bowl as he discusses his work. Please join Member Artist of the Month, Chris Anderson, for an informative and fun artist talk!
By Art Presence, 381 contributed posts
View all Art Presence's posts. About the author: Founded by artist Anne Brooke, Art Presence is an art organization operating as a non-profit under the Arts Council of Southern Oregon. We've grown from a small group of Jacksonville artists with our board meeting at the GoodBean Cafe to over 100 artists with an art center and gallery in the historic core of our charming town. Our mission is to encourage and develop a growing art presence in the city of Jacksonville, to provide venues for artists which will enhance their work and encourage patronage, to work with the merchants of Jacksonville to promote a variety of outstanding events and displays to draw visitors downtown, to inspire and educate and provide additional beauty to our city. For contact information and web links, please visit our listing at the Southern Oregon Artists Resource
Inspired by the Elements: Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water
The Calligraphers Guild
As the November 2022 guest artist for Art Presence Art Center, The Calligraphers’ Guild has chosen “Inspired by the Elements: Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water” for its theme. This puts the focus on our planet, especially during times of extremes in our weather.
The Guild has been active for more than 30 years, providing educational offerings, opportunities to exhibit, and comradery for those who appreciate beautiful writing.
The reception on November 5th, from 1 to 3 pm, will give you a chance to meet these incredible scribes.
By Art Presence, 381 contributed posts
View all Art Presence's posts. About the author: Founded by artist Anne Brooke, Art Presence is an art organization operating as a non-profit under the Arts Council of Southern Oregon. We've grown from a small group of Jacksonville artists with our board meeting at the GoodBean Cafe to over 100 artists with an art center and gallery in the historic core of our charming town. Our mission is to encourage and develop a growing art presence in the city of Jacksonville, to provide venues for artists which will enhance their work and encourage patronage, to work with the merchants of Jacksonville to promote a variety of outstanding events and displays to draw visitors downtown, to inspire and educate and provide additional beauty to our city. For contact information and web links, please visit our listing at the Southern Oregon Artists Resource
For our inaugural Member of the Month show in November 2022, Art Presence showcases works by the seriously talented Desmond Serratore.
“Creating art is the most pleasurable sensation I have ever had the fortune to experience. While painting, my artistic moments always lead me unconsciously into another, more enlightening picture. That is what excites me—colors that I thought I had seen moments before are magically changed and my vision is suddenly alive. Because of this, I make abrupt, abstract strokes of color, line, and texture to quickly capture concrete images.”
Desmond has been painting fine art landscapes for 8 years. He is a graduate of Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles CA, earning his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Fine Art in 1973. He worked as a commercial artist, creating advertising, sign and billboard painting, illustration, and cartoons for 30 years.
Professional Memberships
Artists’ Workshop of Southern Oregon, Medford Rogue Gallery Art Center, Medford Grants Pass Museum Southern Oregon Society of Artists, Medford Art Presence, Jacksonville
Awards
Haines Grant 2018 Honorable Mention, Southern Oregon Plein Air Competition 2017, 2018 Art In Motion, Grants Pass, contest award First Prize, Jacksonville City Art Contest, 2021 Third Prize, Umpqua Plein Air 2022
Publications
“Rogue Valley with a View,” collected works, 50 pages, 2022
Exhibits
Umpqua Plein Air 2017 Members Gallery, Rogue Art Center, One man show 2018 Rogue Manor, One Man Show, 2018 Artist Workshop, group show 2019, 2022
By Art Presence, 381 contributed posts
View all Art Presence's posts. About the author: Founded by artist Anne Brooke, Art Presence is an art organization operating as a non-profit under the Arts Council of Southern Oregon. We've grown from a small group of Jacksonville artists with our board meeting at the GoodBean Cafe to over 100 artists with an art center and gallery in the historic core of our charming town. Our mission is to encourage and develop a growing art presence in the city of Jacksonville, to provide venues for artists which will enhance their work and encourage patronage, to work with the merchants of Jacksonville to promote a variety of outstanding events and displays to draw visitors downtown, to inspire and educate and provide additional beauty to our city. For contact information and web links, please visit our listing at the Southern Oregon Artists Resource
We’d like to take a moment to let you know that while we have updated the hours on our website, Art Presence will again be open this Sunday, October 16, from 10 am – 3 pm. This will be the last day of the Jacksonville Farmer’s Market, and we will keep those hours in support of the market’s participants. It won’t be back until next May, so come out this Sunday to celebrate the last market day of the year and take home the products of local farmers and artisans! While you’re in the neighborhood, remember to stop in at the gallery next door to see the fantastic fine art we have on display.
The gallery’s hours return to 12–5 pm every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday the following Sunday, October 23.