'Call & Response' project creates creative dialogue

CORVALLIS - When Gallery Nouveau closed on, Jan. 1, 2008, it was a bittersweet experience for the artists that were members of the cooperative gallery.

"It was a happy/sad gathering on our last day," recalled Alice Ann Eberman. "Sad for obvious reason, happy because we came to know each other as artists and as friends."

"We wanted to keep our connection," she added.

Fellow artist Karen Tornow came up with the idea of passing around an unfinished piece and having each member contribute to it in some way.

"That was the impetus then we started brainstorming," Eberman said. "Somewhere in this dynamic brainstorming I came up with the musical connection of 'Call and Response.'"

The idea stuck.

"Call and Response" the title of the group's new exhibit opening April 29 at Giustina Gallery at Oregon State University's LaSells Stewart Center, refers to a pattern common in music when one musician plays a phrase and another responds.

In this case each of the seven artists created a piece of art in their medium that became "the call," and for seven months the artists passed the pieces to each other in turn and created new pieces in response to their colleague's art.

The "Call and Response" group is made up of a seven talented artists in a variety of mediums. In addition to Eberman, who is an acrylics and mixed media artist, and Anna Tewes, a collage and mixed media artist, there was pastel painter and linoleum carver Anita Cook, oils painter Pam Hough, fiber artist and basketry expert Mariana Mace, garment and fiber artist Karen Tornow and photographer James Schupp.

For Eberman, one of her most satisfying projects came from responding to a basket created by Mace.

"To respond honestly, I knew it had to be a weaving which meant I needed to do something I'd not done before - a thread weaving with beads I'd made," Eberman said. "It was satisfying because I found out I could do what I didn't know I could do."

"It was very inspiring to be able to create a piece of artwork in our medium, based off someone else's work," Tewes said. "I saw the result was kind of companion pieces."

"'Call and Response' is one of these groups who have taken on a challenge to stretch their limits," agreed LaSells Stewart Center exhibit curator Tina Green-Price.

"Our monthly gatherings were joyous events. We couldn't talk specifically about our responses but we did share our enthusiasm," Eberman recalled. "It was always exciting to take our next call home and unwrap it."

"Our unveiling to one another was not only an exciting, but a truly moving celebration," Eberman added. "When you live with someone's artistic expression and are responding expressively to it, you come to know the artist, the person, and through my responses I came to know more about myself as an artist."

The exhibit will be on display through May 31 in Giustina Gallery at LaSells Stewart Center. In addition to the 49 pieces created for the "Call and Response" project, the artists will display some of their other new works.

An artists' reception will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on April 29. For more information on the artists, see www.gallerynouveau.biz and www.acornridgegallery.com.

CHECK IT OUT

WHO: Anita Cook, AliceAnn Eberman, Pam Hough, Mariana Mace, James Schupp, Anna Tewes and Karen Tornow.

WHAT: "Call and Response" exhibit.

WHEN: Exhibit runs April 29-May 31.. Reception will be 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 29. Light appetizers and wine will be served.

WHERE: Giustina Gallery, LaSells Stewart Center, Oregon State University.

INFO: oregonstate.edu/lasells or 737-2402.