Interpreting the Methow, Plein Aire to Studio

June 8 - July 27
Opening Reception June 8, 4-8pm

Rod Weagant, Barn Study

Plein air, a French word, literally translates as 'open air', and is defined as art created outside in the open air. The term is largely associated with the Impressionist artists of the late 1800s, a time when artists began to come out of their studios into the open air to create art, to paint real people doing real, everyday things, and real landscapes. Impressionist artists were particularly interested in the influence that the natural changing light had on color.

Rod Weagant, Barn Final

Plein air artists attempt to capture an immediate impression of what the eye sees, rather than what the viewer knows or feels about the work. They study how light transforms subjects in different weather and at different times of the day. They prefer to work outdoors in natural light, and often their art incorporates brilliant colors that shimmer in their intensity.

Interpreting the Methow, Plein Aire to Studio is an exhibit of works created on-site in the Methow Valley. Artists will display their final works alongside original studies created in the field. Exhibit artists include Wally Bivins, Rod Weagant, Mary Powell, Rich Davis, Charlene Monger, Sue Marracci, Robert Nelson, Michael Caldwell, Caryl Campbell, Ed Maher, Kathy Meyers, Suzanne Powers, Donna Keyser, Nora Eggers, Paula Christen, Patty Yates, Gene Barkley, Robin Nelson Wicks, and Becky La Verne.

Wally Bivins, Horse 2

During the course of the exhibit, Confluence offers Live Clay, a demonstration workshop with renowned ceramic sculptor Wally Bivins. Workshop participants will examine the manner in which a dialog with the material can be a path to originality and “owning” the work. Wally will demonstrate working with thrown and hand built parts and discuss discoveries made when returning to a form over time, and incorporating those discoveries into one’s work. A reception and slide lecture with Wally Bivins will be held Friday June 21 at Confluence Gallery and Art Center, 7-9pm. Cost for the workshop is $85.

Confluence Gallery hosts an opening reception for the artists on the evening of the spring Twisp Art Walk, Saturday, June 8 from 4-8 pm. The exhibit runs through July 27.

Plein Air Workshop with Rod Weagant

May 17, 18 & 19
Location: Rod Weagant's Studio, and various beautiful locations in the Methow Valley
Cost: $165

This workshop will be held on May 17-19. Rod Weagant will present a slide show and discussion on the evening of May 17. This discussion is open to the public.

On Saturday and Sunday participants will spend the days creating art inspired by the picturesque Methow environment. Any choice of medium can be used, however the demonstration will be done in oil painting. The instruction will adapt to all levels of experience. The class will create art outdoors unless weather prohibits, so dress accordingly. This Plein Air workshop will be held in conjunction with “Interpreting the Methow”, an exhibit opening June 8. Workshop participants will have the option to display a piece or more in the gallery during the show.

Slide Ridge Sunrise by Rod Weagant

Materials List:

Colors

Lemon yellow

Cadmium yellow medium

Cadmium red light

Alizarin Crimson or Permanent Rose

Ultra Marine Blue

Thalo blue

Zinc or Titanium white

Brushes

Bristle Brights

#10

#6

#4

Palette - any you are comfortable with, at least 12"x16"

Canvas boards - any type, generally small in size (8x10 to 12x16)

Easel of some sort

Chair if you sit while painting

Paint thinner

Sunscreen and bug repellent

Paper towels

A hat with bill that shades your eyes

A small sketchbook

25th Anniversary Celebration Gala

Join us in celebrating 25 years!

Saturday, July 13

Pipestone Canyon Ranch

Price: $50, includes locally inspired dinner, catered by Cameron Green

Confluence’s 25^th Anniversary Celebration Gala will be an evening of food, drink, live music and art.  There will be both silent and live art auctions, featuring high quality local art. This will be a time to honor those whose vision became a reality through hard work and commitment.  This event is also being held to recognize and thank the many artists who’ve supported the gallery, the educators who have taught the love of art to children and adults alike, and to the community who continues to show its appreciation of this jewel in our valley.

More details will be posted soon!

Kid's Art Party, the Art of Recycling

Margaret Kingston, via Laurelle Walsh

Friday, May 3rd at Confluence
9:00am – 1pm
Cost: $35 for one artist, $30 for each additional artist in the family.

Spend the morning transforming used paper (such birthday cards, last week’s homework and junk mail) along with fresh flowers into new, colorful and artistic cards, collages, mobiles and more. (Perfect gifts for Mother’s Day!)

Join experienced Waldorf teacher Kari Bown as we grind up the old paper, mix it into slurry, get our hands mucky and create beautiful works of art!

Friday May 3rd is a school holiday. Drop off and pick up will be at Confluence Gallery, 104 Glover Street in Twisp. We’ll provide snacks, outdoor play time and plenty of hands-on art creation to engage your young artist all morning. Please send a lunch.

Call 997-2787 to register and advance pay by Wednesday May 1st.

Summer Art Programs!

Confluence is pleased to offer a second series of summer art programs for children ages 6-10. Camps take place every Wednesday through Friday, July 10-August 16, 10am-2pm,  Camps will be located in the Confluence classroom.

Registration forms are now available! Call Confluence or click on the picture below to download the form (print full page size). Please mail your completed form with complete payment to Confluence by June 28.

Following is a description of each camp:

July 10-12
Wet and Needle Felting with Bo Thrasher
Come experience the wonders of wool through wet and needle felting. Work together to make colorful wall hangings, masks, hats, and maybe even a blanket. Be prepared to get wet and soapy! Take walks to the Twisp Park, tour artist studios at TwispWorks, spend time soaking up the sun and connecting with friends.

July 17-19
Secret Location Art Explosion with Laura Gunnip
Andy Goldsworthy style, create and design a collective sculpture by the river. Create rubbings, hand prints, stitched leaves, petal mandalas, rock paintings, cairns, secret messages in the trees and under rocks. Make hanging message flags to be hung in a tree in the park, tree poetry! Participate in group, team and individual decision making and projects exploring our natural world, creating art.

July 24-26
Books and Buttons with Laura Gunnip
Work in groups and individually to create a variety of single page fold books with printing stamps and found objects. Make tiny pop-ups and centerfolds to trade and keep. Make your own accordion style book with hand printed covers. Then, make buttons and stickers with collage, words, typewriter, stamps, drawing and printing to trade and keep!

July 31-August 2
Garden Art with Sarah Fox
In this camp, you will collect rocks and driftwood to be painted with faces, stripes, patters, and bold colors to display in your garden. You will create stepping stones and make garden bells with painted terra cotta pots. Enjoy playing at the Twisp Park, taking nature walks, and finding inspiration in your surroundings.

August 7-9
Jewelry Making Extravaganza with Sarah Fox
This camp will give you an introduction to bead making, felted jewelry, and creating jewels with recycled and natural objects. You will mix, color and shape beads. You'll make beads out of paper and fabric. Create beads and bangles using felt. Transform recycled household objects into bracelets, explore the beauty of aluminum cans, turn them into silver rings, and more!

August 14-16
Street Music Band with Danbert Nobacon
In this camp you will have an introduction to music and songwriting, pop song composition and arrangement for the street format. You will learn the basics of street performing, and fashion costumes out of recycled materials. Write and perform your songs in the streets of Twisp. This camp is a wonderful opportunity to work as a team to create a performance for the public!

We hope to see you!

Call For Writers!

Visions of Verse: November 2013 Exhibit

In collaboration with local poet Linda M Robertson, the Confluence Gallery is seeking submissions of poetry and very short  fiction (flash fiction: one typed page) for an exhibit, Visions of Verse, November 2013.  The exhibit will pair creative writing with visual art, including photography, painting, collage and sculpture. Once the writing has been chosen, a Call For Artists will be sent out. Visual artists will be given the opportunity to select writing they are interested in responding to.

While the Visions of Verse is on exhibit, Confluence Gallery will host a Reading that will be open to the public. A chapbook of the poems and flash fiction will also be for sale. Writers, send us your best work!  This is a unique opportunity for you to inspire visual artists and share your work with our community!

Submit your poetry and flash fiction via email to info@confluencegallery.com by May 20, 2013; Subject line: Visions of Verse Submission. Previously published work will be accepted. There is no limit to number of submissions per writer. Please forward this Call For Writers to your writer and visual artist friends and colleagues.  Thank you.

Two Valleys exhibit

Michael Azzano (Horse Power)

Saturday, April 6-June 1, 2013
Opening reception April 6, 4-8pm

Artists are explorers. In their pursuits, they are exposed to a variety of perspectives, culture, nature, new territory. They are constantly searching for meaning, images, and materials. When we consider our local artists, we must ponder their discoveries during their artistic journeys.

In the Okanogan are two valleys, the Methow and Okanogan. Two Valleys side by side, neighbors separated by a narrow range of granite and conifer-covered mountains. One is divided by a clear, fast-flowing river with forested mountains on both sides. The other is divided by a slower river often colored and hills whose structure are visible without a cloak of trees. Each valley produces an abundance of artists who find inspiration in their surroundings. This exhibit depicts some of the diverse artwork produced in our two valleys. It gives us an opportunity to reflect on the power of the Okanogan. When you visit, see if you can pinpoint which valley each artist is from. Then, see if you can tell where in their valley they have journeyed.

Curator Dan Brown and his family live in Okanogan, Washington. He is an avid artist and art teacher at Okanogan High School. He is the recipient of the 2001 Washington Art Educators' Association teacher of the year award. Each year, he coordinates a field trip for a group of his students to visit Confluence Gallery, encouraging them to actively engage in the art of both the Methow and Okanogan. Two Valleys exhibit is an extension of his ongoing efforts and passion.

The exhibit opens with a reception on Saturday, April 6 from 4-8 pm, and runs through June 1.

Phoebe Webb

Jim Weaver (My Valley)