Dialing up the creativity
Artists build on each other’s work in ‘The Telephone Game II’
Judith Schlicting, co-curator of ‘The Telephone Game II’
Two new shows will open at the Lincoln City Cultural Center this Friday, Jan. 9, with the group exhibition “The Telephone Game II” in the Chessman Gallery and “Energy and Movement,” an art quilt show by Patricia Caldwell in the Fiber Arts Studio Gallery.
An opening reception will take place from 5 to 7 pm on Friday, with wine, appetizers and an opportunity to meet the artists. A virtual gallery tour will follow on Saturday on the cultural center’s Facebook page.
“The Telephone Game II” explores how images change as they are passed visually from artist to artist, inspired by the childhood game in which a whispered phrase transforms as it travels around a circle. Instead of words, each artist responds to the artwork created before them, resulting in a sequence of images that shift in style, materials, process and mood. Displayed together, the works reveal how interpretation and creative voice influence the evolution of an idea.
First conceived in 2024, the Telephone Game project was co-curated by Judith Schlicting of the Rowboat Gallery and Sam Jacobsen of the Pacific Artists Alliance. The show features creative response work by two dozen Oregon Coast artists working across multiple disciplines.
Participating artists include photographers Donna McCoy and Kirk Jonasson; mixed media artists Jody Anderson, Diane Archer and Kevin Schluka; painters Diane Devens, Katia Kyte, Wayne Ruby, Sandra Fraser Dust, Shawn Fraser Ramirez, Jill Perry Townsend, Stephanie Reitmajer, Hannah Crag, Michael Schlicting and Judith Schlicting; ceramic artists Sam Jacobsen, Julie Fiedler and Liisa Rahkonen; fiber artists Kathleen Marin and Kay Klose; assemblage artists Michele Lindsley and Judy Vogland; mosaic artist Joanne Daschel; and encaustic artist Sara Hemmer.
‘Glowing Ammonite, part of the ‘Energy and Movement’ fiber art exhibit
Opening concurrently is “Energy and Movement,” a solo exhibition of art quilts by Patricia Caldwell. Inspired by the motion and force of the ocean, Caldwell’s work captures a sense of flow and vitality through layered fabric, quilting and embellishment. She begins each piece with a basic design, then allows the feeling of motion to guide the direction of the work. Many quilts are accented with crystals, driftwood and additional fibers, adding texture and energy. Caldwell hopes viewers will feel the movement and rhythm that shape each piece.
Both exhibitions will remain on display through March 8.
The Lincoln City Cultural Center is located at 540 NE Hwy. 101 and is open from 10 am to 5 pm Wednesday through Sunday. For more information, go to lincolncity-culturalcenter.org or call 541-994-9994.