Oregon Coast Council for the Arts and the Newport Public Arts Advisory Committee are excited to announce the official launch of the Newport Art Seen public art initiative. Community members and visitors are invited to celebrate on Thursday, July 24th at 5:30 pm, at the Newport Performing Arts Center (PAC). The event will include outdoor remarks (weather permitting) from Mayor Jan Kaplan and Councilor Cynthia Jacobi, followed by an indoor reception featuring light refreshments and music by the Lucky Gap String Band.
Newport Art Seen is a rotating outdoor gallery of sculptural artwork, meant to enhance the city’s beauty. The first four works of art have now been installed – on pedestals in Nye Beach, on Olive Street between Beach and Cliff (just in front of the PAC). These include “Fossil II” by Lin McJunkin of Conway, Washington, “Welcome Dance” by Harold Linke of Lake Oswego, Oregon, “Spiritsafe #14” by John Zylstra of Bellingham, Washington, and “Campsong” by Paul Reimer of British Columbia, Canada.
Sculptures will be rotated out biannually, giving residents and visitors the opportunity to view new, fresh artwork on a regular basis. All artists receive an honorarium for the installation of their work, and pieces are offered for sale. The majority of the sale price supports the artist directly, while a small portion is given back to our community in support of public art.
For more information on Newport Art Seen, or for purchasing information, please visit coastarts.org/artseen