Co-op members invite artists that have inspired them to share wall space

CORVALLIS - This month, members of cooperative gallery Art in the Valley are sharing wall space with other local artists who have inspired them.

Twelve of the gallery's member artists each invited an outside artist to the show. Both artists then selected a piece of their work to hang in the exhibit, which will be up through Aug. 29.

A reception for the artists will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at the gallery, 209 S.W. Second St.

This is the second time Art in the Valley has hosted a show of this type, although the last time was several years back according to co-op member Barbara Weber.

For Weber, the most surprising thing about seeing the combined exhibit up on the wall is the wide variety of mediums and subjects that are represented - everything from detailed watercolors, to oil portraits, nature photography and abstracts.

"There is some wonderful humor," Weber said, pointing out a watercolor still life painting of a cleaver resting on piano keys by guest artist Ken Powers. "It's called 'Chopstick.'"

Weber, a Corvallis artist known for her woodblock prints, watercolor and Japanese ink paintings, has been a member of the gallery since it was established in 1991. The gallery was originally located in Toledo and called Illustrated Garden Gallery.

Weber's black "sumi" ink rendering of a flower titled "Solitary" is on display in the show.

She invited longtime friend Tony Van Vliet to take part in the invitational show this year. She has a huge amount of respect for Van Vliet's watercolors and many years of practice as a painter.

"I think he's forgotten more than I'll ever know," she said.

Van Vliet is a former state representative and is retired from the Oregon State University Department of Forestry.

"I was surprised, very happy to be invited," he said.

Van Vliet's colorful watercolor painting of a Vermont waterfall pool is one of the largest works in the August exhibit.

Unlike many of the other guests in the show, Van Vliet is not a member of any other local arts organizations or galleries so the show is a rare chance to see his work.

Ellen Borowski, another longtime member of Art in the Valley, paints with watercolors and acrylics.

She has a watercolor painting of magnolias in the show, and another exhibit of her work themed around the sea and its creatures is adjacent to the invitational show wall.

She invited Corvallis artist Barbara Levine to take part in the show.

"She was one of the original members (of the gallery)," Borowski said. The guests include several other past members of Art in the Valley including Carol Selberg, another founding member.

Co-op member Mike Bergen's (oils, watercolor, photography) reason for inviting Corvallis artist Doyle Leek reveals one of the charms of the show, a chance to see work that has impressed some of the artists' hardest critics, their peers.

"I chose him because he is a fabulous watercolor artist- like, incredible."

CHECK IT OUT

WHO: Art in the Valley gallery members and guests

WHAT: August invitational show highlighting the work of 12 guest artists and the members who invited them.

WHEN: Exhibit is open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays through Aug. 29.

WHERE: Art in the Valley Gallery, 209 S.W. Second St., Corvallis.

RECEPTION: 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22 at the gallery.

INFO: artinthevalley.net or 752-0811.

GALLERY HISTORY:

The Illustrated Garden Gallery, a cooperative, opened in 1991 in Toledo and featured floral artwork.

That first effort was short-lived, but seven of the original members continued the cooperative venture by relocating in Corvallis and recruiting new members.

The gallery broadened its theme and relocated to the Cannery Mall and later Madison Plaza.

In July, 2002, the Gallery became Art in the Valley and moved to its current location on Second Street downtown.