The Oregon Coast Council for the Arts presents “Variety of Visions,” a juried exhibition by the Pacific Northwest Sculptors (PNS), from September 8 to October 29 in the Runyan Gallery at the Newport Visual Arts Center. The exhibition will include work by 28 PNS members, artists residing and creating work in Oregon and Washington. All mediums, including bronze, stone, clay, glass, mixed media and paper, will be featured in “Variety of Visions.” An opening reception is planned for Friday, September 8, 5-7pm, at the VAC, with PNS leaders speaking at 6:30pm. Founded in 2000, Pacific Northwest Sculptors is a nonprofit organization made up of sculptors and persons in associated fields who live and work in the Northwest. The group includes approximately 100 members and holds the mission to foster the art of sculpture by increasing public awareness of issues and techniques that surround sculpture, and to facilitate communication between member sculptors. Based in Portland, PNS sponsors seminars, workshops, lectures and art events. Members enjoy exhibition opportunities and exposure through the group’s website. PNS members range from professionals to new sculptors and represent all points in between. “I’m inviting the viewers of ‘Variety of Visions’ to enter the invisible world that surrounds and connects the sculptors in the show. Ask curious questions, like ‘why is that there?’” says Dave Gonzo, the group’s exhibition coordinator. “The answers are in the solid forms before you and the connections you create in the spaces between.” “The ‘Variety of Visions’ exhibit represents another strong collaboration with another regional arts organization,” says OCCA VAC Director Tom Webb. “In July and August, we featured work from the Crows’ Shadow Institute (printmaking) based in Eastern Oregon, and now we move in a different artist direction with the Pacific Northwest Sculptors. The VAC is bringing artistic voices from around the state and region to the Central Oregon Coast.” The Pacific Northwest Sculptors have exhibited their members’ works in the lobby of the Portland Center for the Performing Arts, at the Salem Art Festival and at Art in the Pearl events in Portland's ’ark Blocks, among other locations. The group annually presents exhibits around International Sculpture Day, held each April. “Our members enjoy exhibition opportunities and greater exposure through PNS,” says Dave Gonzo. “But the most important opportunity is for the sculptors to interact and learn from each other.” The Runyan Gallery is open Tuesday-Sunday, 11am-6pm.
