Join us for “GuitArt” at the Hoffman Center , an evening of auditory and visual pleasure.

On Friday, April 27, the Hoffman Center will host musicians Jason Okamoto and Dmitri Swain, with new works of art on display from John Freethy and Dmitri Swain.

Jason Okamoto plays classical guitar with a Latin American flavor. His musical projects are a variety of solo guitar performances, gigging with gypsy jazz bands, and teaching guitar lessons. Over the past few years, he’s concentrated mostly on solo guitar, building up a diverse repertoire of Spanish, Brazilian Bossa Nova, and other Latin American guitar styles. Jason has also been involved recently with some amazing dance projects such as Body Vox’s “Smoke Soup” production, and performed at the Portland Art Museum. Okamoto, who is self-taught musically, is still his own teacher, and jokes that “Somehow I haven’t fired myself yet.”

Dmitri Swain is a North Coast artist. He specializes in mixed media work, predominantly on paper and wood panels. Dmitri attended Portland State University, from which he holds a degree in drawing, painting and printmaking. In his artists statement, Dmitri explains; The core of my art is surreal and atmospheric. I am primarily inspired by dreams, nature and weather patterns at the moment. I create works with surreal and expressive qualities. Though I am seeing natural things in the world, the bulk of my work is shaped by my own perceptions. I am bringing to the surface my own vision. In this way I make up a unique narrative. The viewer can look into these constructed places or windows, see the characters and the world, then they start to ask questions. The end result is the experience. Swain’s music has a “very unique jazzy feel and sound, accompanied by his alluring vocals” says event promoter John Freethy.

John Freethy dabbles in many art mediums, including photography, printmaking, painting, paper/book arts and mixed media. When asked about the interplay between his art and nature, John answered “I have always felt a deep connection with nature. There’s nothing more beautiful than when you stand outside in a spot and all that you can see is still unchanged by the human hand. These are the kind of places that I am drawn to, and therefore what I am inspired to create and portray in my artwork.”

The art opening begins at 5:30 p.m., with the concert starting at 7:00 p.m. Admission is $8 for the evening. The Hoffman Center is located at 594 Laneda Avenue, Manzanita, across from the public library.

Our first Introduction to Clay Studio Class on March 28th filled up fast, so we’re adding another one on April 11th from 1pm to 3 pm.

This introductory class, led by Dee Koscheski and Kathleen Ryan, will familiarize you with the Hoffman Center clay studio and what is possible to create within it. A studio tour will be given, including an overview of the equipment, tools and guidelines. Dee and Kathleen will be giving demonstration of hand-building and wheel throwing.

Students will also have a chance to experiment with clay and learn how it behaves with the guidance of the two instructors.

Cost: $10, which includes 2 pounds of clay.

To register for the class, limited to 6 people, contact Dee at hoffmanclaystudio@gmail.com or leave message at 503-368-3846.

Join Glenna Gray on Wednesday, March 21st from 1:00-3:00 pm in a fun introduction to the ancient art of ceramic mask making. After the introduction and demonstration, each participant will make their own mask which will be fired when dry. Mask makers then have the option of glazing their piece and having it fired in the kiln again, or taking it home to paint with acrylics. Absolutely no art experience of any kind is needed to take this workshop! Glenna has taught art in public schools at the junior high level, and facilitates art activities locally whenever possible. Masks are one of her favorites!

Class tuition is $20, which includes all materials, glazes and firing. Only 6 spaces are available. Email Glenna to register: glenna@nehalemtel.net or call the Hoffman Center at 503 368 3846 and leave a message.  Class tuition must be paid in advance.  Make checks out to Glenna Gray and mail to Hoffman Center, PO Box 678, Manzanita 97130.

Cheese trays made from recycled wine bottles by Skip Rognlien

The show must go on and go on it will—the Trash Art Show that is. The Hoffman Center stepped up with an offer to collaborate with CARTM and host the show at their venue and share in the work of production and marketing of the show, and the proceeds. Both organizations see this as a win for both as well as a big win for the community.

The Trash Art Show which is scheduled for July 6, 7, and 8 will be the 14th annual show which was birthed in 1997 by Susan Walsh and Lorraine Ortiz. Through the ensuing years the show has produced a whole new cadre of local artists specializing in the making of this art-form which relies solely on recycled materials as its medium.

“The Hoffman Center sees this partnership as the perfect fit to let the show go on without impacting CARTM’s operations or current desire to focus its attention on its mission,” said John Freethy, Hoffman Center board member. “We are an art center so it was natural to have the show move to our venue to carry on this local tradition.”

The show will be a fundraiser for the two organizations and the plans for the event this year include a ticketed pre-opening night event for those wishing to support the organizations above and beyond purchasing the art. There will be a limited number of tickets sold to the pre-opening which are expected to go on sale in early May.

“All of us at CARTM are overjoyed at the partnership proposed by Hoffman Center,” said Jan Hamilton, CARTM Executive Director. “We all want to see trash art continue to thrive in our community because it is one of the ways our community expresses itself creatively, and as as art-form it inspires creative re-use of materials which is ultimately at the heart of everything we do at CARTM.”

Plans are also underway for a series of Trash Art workshops to be held in April and May in anticipation of the show. The organizers of the 14th Annual Trash Art Show encourage anyone who has ever wanted to enter something in the show to do it this year.

Click here to get started:  http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e4p33df8grsoiw9s/start

Local artist Lynn Thomas to teach monotype class in October

Monotypes are prints made using printer’s inks, painted directly on a plexiglass plate, and printed on a press. Water based inks are used in this process, and are not only easy to clean up, they are a fun and forgiving medium which encourages experimentation. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY.

The classes will be held on 3 consecutive Wednesdays, October 19, 26 & November 2 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Lynn’s studio at the Hoffman House, across the street from the Hoffman Center. The cost is $45 per session, or $120 for all three sessions.  To register, download this registration form and mail it in to the Hoffman Center at PO Box 678, Manzanita, 97130.

The first session will introduce the inks, the tools, and the press.

The second session will provide an opportunity to work in a painterly way with brushes.

The third session will explore the use of stencils, demonstrate the viscosity method, and discuss how to set up a home studio.

Please bring an image (photo, sketch) or an idea to the first class.

For additional information about the class, contact Lynn Thomas directly at 503.812.4240.

About the Instructor

Lynn received her BA in printmaking from Marylhurst University. She taught printmaking at Pacific Northwest College of Arts in Portland from 2004-2006 and in her Portland home studio from 2004-2007. She received a Gordon Gilkey Award from the Portland Art Museum for her printmaking in 2004. After moving to Nehalem permanently in 2008, Lynn opened “Green” Printmaking studio in Wheeler where she taught several one day workshops. In 2010 she moved into a studio in the Hoffman Center. In spring of 2010 she taught a printmaking class based on the figure.

Lynn derives ideas for her monotypes from feelings, thoughts, and experiences with nature and personal relationships. Many of her prints begin with one or two textural shapes or figures. A dialogue between forms is sometimes suggested, inviting the viewer to add their own thoughts and feelings to the composition. Lynn uses various plate surfaces to develop her subject matter, including wood veneer (Nehalem Valley) and textured plexiglass (Beyond the Surface). She also likes to work using a resist method and large rollers, which allows for a greater degree to movement and rhythm in her work (New Mexico Series). Ultimately, Lynn strives to create works on paper that are interesting, thought-provoking, and beautiful.

“Sculpting” will be held on Tuesdays, beginning Aug. 2, from 4 to 7 p.m. The tuition will be $55, which includes clay and firing.

“Coil Drums and Other Musical Instruments” will be held on Thursdays, beginning Aug. 4, from 3 to 5 p.m. The tuition will be $55, and includes clay and firing.

Ilse Witterland will lead both classes. Witterland holds a degree in art and sculpture from Portland State University, and has shown her work in Portland and Lake Oswego galleries. She is also a member of the Portland Sculptors Guild.

Persons interested in attending either or both classes are asked to send an email hoffmanclaystudio@gmail.com.

The classes are limited to 10 students each.

Be sure to stop by the Hoffman Center on Saturday, July 23rd, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

We’re excited to show off some of the changes to our performance and gallery spaces, as well as the newly expanded Clay Studio.  Plus, you’re invited to explore all sorts of demonstrations of what the Hoffman Center has to offer, including clay, drawing, writing, reading, music, letterpress, mixed media, and book and paper arts.  Click on the Hoffapalooza Schedule for a printable schedule of events.  There’s no admission.

Local businesses and individuals have also generously donated over $1,500 worth of products and services for our fabulous raffle and silent auction prizes. Enter to win a $25 gas card from Bayside Shell & Grocery, just for showing up. Click on this list of Hoffapalooza prizes to see all of the wonderful raffle prizes and special silent auction items.  Raffle tickets are just $1 each,  12 for $10, or 25 for $20.    All proceeds go to the Hoffman Center Operating Fund.

And that’s not all!  Over 20 local artists will be showing and selling their art, including pieces made in the Hoffman Center Clay and Life Drawing Studios, and other art classes.  There also will be a display of art by kids in the Outside the Box Arts program.

Did we forget anything?  Well, there will be a lemonade stand on the front porch, plus tasty hand baked goods donated by Kim Miller.

We’ll see you there!

On display will be works created during the kids’ weekly art explorations with the Outside the Box Arts program.

Formerly known as “Art Moms,” Outside the Box Arts was sponsored this school year by the Hoffman Center of Manzanita, using grant funds provided by the Laird Norton Family Foundation, the Juan Young Trust and the Mudd-Nick Foundation.

The grants enabled the program to provide two program leaders – Angelle Soans and Beth Basille – and bring in outside artists to provide specialized instruction.

Kathleen Ryan helps move into the newly remodeled clay room.

The Clay Studio at the Hoffman Center is back in action.  Come on down on Tuesdays, 10 to 4, and Thursdays, 5 to 8 in the evening, to check out all the exciting changes.  Now there’s more room for more participants, natural light from a new window, plus a dedicated sink for clean-up.  We look forward to seeing you there! 

For more pictures go to our page on Facebook:  Hoffman Center Manzanita.