Open Waters
Raymond (“Ray by the Bay”) Dacanay
May 13 – June 28, 2026
Newport Visual Arts Center
Upstairs Gallery
This exhibit features nautical-themed carved wooden creature sculptures adorned with colorful inlaid glass eyes for delicate, dazzling detail.
Opening Reception: Thursday, May 14, 5-7pm
All are welcome; admission is free; light refreshments will be served.
To help ensure an enjoyable experience for all, we kindly encourage guests to consider attending fragrance-free in support of those with allergies and sensitivities.
Ray Dacanay aka Ray by the Bay…
I was born and raised in San Francisco California and spent most of my young adult life amongst the Art communities in North Beach, Chinatown, and the Mission District. When I graduated high school I was awarded a full scholarship to attend the SF Art Institute and graduated in 1975. During that time I was introduced to many artists and mentors from which I received my inspiration to create installations for the de Young Museum, Diego Rivera Gallery , the Zellerback, and the Sunset Gallery. My mediums were varied, so in addition to wood sculpting, I was inspired to work with acrylics and oil painting, ceramics,photography and sound production . Carlos Villa and Leo Valledor, two famous artists from the Philippines, were trailblazers in their time who influenced and shaped my cultural heritage expression. My artwork is deeply influenced by the rhythms of the sea and the heartbeat of the drum. I translate these in the sculpting of the wood into sea creatures. Open Waters was the name of a percussion ensemble I was with in California right before I moved to the Oregon coast. My later years in San Francisco Bay Area were dedicated to teaching art and music to young children. I continued with the exploration of wood sculpting themes merging with my percussive music, bringing that meditation with me to Newport.