Three villages host North Coast studio tour
Manzanita’s Hoffman Center for the Arts will combine a celebration of working artists with a rare look at the legacy of a beloved Oregon Coast modernist this Saturday, July 18, during the North Oregon Coast Artist Studio Tour.
The third annual self-guided tour invites visitors into artists' studios throughout Manzanita, Nehalem and Wheeler, offering a behind-the-scenes look at where art is made and an opportunity to meet artists in their creative spaces. This year's event also coincides with a special exhibition and sale of artwork from the estate of John R. Stahl, whose work has become an important part of the North Coast's artistic history.
The exhibition follows a major gift to the Hoffman Center from the estate of John and Janet Stahl, including nearly 250 works spanning the artist's long career, as well as a significant financial donation. The collection includes oil paintings, watercolors, prints, collages, sculptures, carvings and examples of Stahl's distinctive hand-painted duck decoys.
Stahl, who lived and worked on the Oregon Coast for decades, built a body of work inspired by the landscapes, wildlife and light of the North Coast. His artwork blended modernist influences with a deep connection to the natural world, earning him recognition throughout the Pacific Northwest. He was also known as a generous presence in the local arts community.
"John and Janet Stahl believed this work belonged with this community, and we're honored to steward their legacy," said Hoffman Center Executive Director Liam Whitworth. "The sale gives collectors a rare opportunity to own a piece of that legacy, and every dollar goes directly to making our art classes and programs for all ages more accessible and affordable."
A selection of Stahl's artwork will be displayed in the workshop room behind the Hoffman Center gallery and offered for sale directly from the studio collection. Bonnie Laing-Malcolmson, a longtime friend of the Stahls and former curator at the Portland Art Museum, will be available to discuss Stahl's life, work and place in Northwest art history.
Artists participating in the studio tour include Pam Greene, Christopher Belluschi, Nancy Bond, M.J. Anderson, Sherrie Wolf, Justin Bailie, Lloyd Lindley, Judy Lindley, Cathi Howell, Deborah DeWit, Mary Roberts, Shirl Ireland, Laura Ross-Paul and Mathew Goodrich.
The North Oregon Coast Artist Studio Tour runs from 11 am to 5 pm this Saturday, July 18. Wristband and booklet pickup takes place from 10 am to noon at the Hoffman Center for the Arts, located at 594 Laneda Avenue in Manzanita. The John R. Stahl exhibition and sale will be open Saturday and Sunday. Tour tickets are $30. For more information, go to hoffmanarts.org.