Art shows filled with roar talent
Newport Visual Arts Center celebrates coastal icons
Legacy and impressive variety will rule at two new exhibits opening at the Newport Visual Arts Center this Friday, Oct. 3.
In the Runyan Gallery, “A Feather Never Falls Far” will be on display through November 30. The work of world-renowned artist Rick Bartow will be shown for the first time side-by-side with work by his son, Booker Bartow. Considered one of the most important leaders in contemporary Native American art, Rick was a resident of Newport, a life-long artist, musician and songwriter, and an enrolled member of the Mad River Band of Wiyot Indians. His work is held in more than 100 museums and public collections and has been shown in galleries around the globe.
Booker’s early years were filled with music and art. While much of his adult life has been devoted to skateboarding and sharing his passion for the sport through videography, he has rediscovered his love for visual art in recent years. Booker’s work is a reflection of the joy he finds in mixing mediums, experimenting and approaching the process with a sense of innocence that comes from working with no rules or self-judgment.
“What better way to pay tribute to the legacy of Rick Bartow than to acknowledge that feather that hasn’t fallen far?” said center director Chasse Davidson. “We are honored to witness Booker Bartow embrace his artistic lineage with raw honesty, resilience and vulnerability.”
Also on display will be work by various other artists from Rick’s private collection, including paintings, prints, sculptures and ceramics.
In the COVAS Showcase, Charlotte Van Zant-King’s “Wings & Watery Things” will be on display through January 4. With a more than 40-year career in the arts, Van Zant-King has mastered depicting elements of the natural world through a variety of mediums. This exhibit will offer a taste of her printmaking, ceramics and mosaic works with an emphasis on birds, fish and even mermaids.
“What hasn’t she done?” Davidson said. “Charlotte has mastered a staggering number of mediums, and her knowledge base is evident in this bite-sized buffet of her incredibly executed creations. It will be up through the holidays, with new works coming in throughout the show — perfect gifts for nature lovers. We are so thankful for Charlotte’s presence and contributions to the center’s ceramic studio and our upcoming print studio.”
An opening reception for both display openings will be held on Friday, Oct. 10, at 5 pm, featuring light refreshments and an artist talk at 5:20 pm. Music will be provided by a former bandmate of Rick’s, Barbara Turrill.
The Newport Visual Arts Center is located at 777 NW Beach Drive and is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 4 pm. For more information, go to coastarts.com or call 541-265-2787.