2nd Saturday Brookings Art Walk of 14 January 2006

I started at Manley Art Center where I saw Christina Olsen, who was supposed to demonstrate how to create whimsical paintings "from the heart." She had a brush in hand all right, but it never touched the paper as long as I was there. She was busy laughing with a well dressed gentleman of name Bill Hiltz, who turned out to be the song and dance partner of Carl Rovainen. The skit those two put on was delightful, although I expected any moment that one or the other, or both would lose their balance.

Over at COLOURS Gallery violinist/vocalist Shirley Hyatt and partner Gil Kirk were entertaining the Art Walkers with music that was a lot less rowdy. Just as well, as there was a lot of new glass and ceramic art (of the usable type) displayed which wouldn't have survived two "mature" dancers flying through the air.

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At Words and Pictures, Gold Beach watercolorist Magda Druzdzel displayed her luminous watercolors of local beach and river scenes. Beautiful! I ran into city councilman Dave Gordon, who was discussing business with downtown development commissioner Pete Chasar. Yes, Pete is not only a painter, he also worries about the future of our town. I hope they discussed how to make Brookings into THE art town of the South Coast. They will have the support of all of us artists. When pianist Nina Paulsen, whose soothing tunes waft usually without interruption through the gallery, took an unexpected break, I knew something was up. A tall and slender lady in elegant, black attire rose and took center stage: Patricia Bisgrove. She read from her booklet "Life." The selection was chosen to match the art of Magda Druzdzel. Poems about our shore line, waves, and life by the water. Pat is not only a sensitive writer, she presents her stuff in a way that moves the audience into quiet introspection.

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Over at the Library Gallery, the mood was just the opposite. At 5:33 the rambunctious Limerick crew took over from Pianist Jerry Moffit and filled the hall with their odorous "poetry". Their target were the portrait artists, whose work was displayed around the room, their models, and portraiture in general. The undisciplined group had to be called to order several times by Limerick judge Brian Scott, who had to shake a large brass bell to get their attention. The contest winner was Marge Woodfin. The price: a can of deodorant.

Tune in again around the end of January, when the program for the February 11 Art Walk will be on this page.
Horst