Love and landscapes

A shared home overlooking the Oregon Coast inspired decades of art, literature and community involvement by two women whose creative legacies are the focus of a new exhibition opening this month at the North Lincoln County Historical Museum.

“Love and Landscapes,” on display through Dec. 30, explores the lives and work of artist Ruth Dennis Grover and artist and author Martha Kay Renfroe, better known to readers as M. K. Wren.

For many years, the pair lived together in Roads End while helping shape Lincoln City’s cultural landscape. Grover played a significant role in developing the local arts community through teaching, organizing exhibitions and supporting institutions including the Lincoln County Art Center. Renfroe gained national recognition through her mystery and science fiction novels, building a devoted readership far beyond the Oregon Coast.

The exhibit features paintings, sketches and photographs alongside selections from Wren’s acclaimed 1990 novel “A Gift Upon the Shore,” a post-apocalyptic story set in the fictional community of Shilo Beach, inspired by Lincoln City and Roads End.

Together, the works explore how both women found inspiration in the coastline they shared, offering visitors a look at the connections between place, creativity and companionship.

The North Lincoln County Historical Museum is located at 4907 SW Hwy. 101 in Lincoln City and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm. For more information, go to nlchm.org or call  541-996-6614.