29th Annual Art Harvest Kicks Off in Yamhill County

Whether you’ve walked through downtown, visited the Newberg Wednesday Market, or visited one of the many shows at the Chehalem Cultural Center, you’ve seen the depth and breadth of Newberg’s art scene.

And this month, you’ll have the opportunity to not only meet the local artists creating representations of our local time and place, but you’ll be able to see where they create their art when they open the doors to their studios for the Art Harvest Studio Tour of Yamhill County October 6 through 8 and 13 through 15.

The Art Harvest Studio Tour started in 1993, when an organization of visual artists opened their studios to the public for the first time, according to the Art Harvest website.

On October 6, Yamhill County’s 29th annual Art Harvest Studio Tour kicks off, allowing art fans to meet local artists and explore the places where so much local art has been created.

“The tour makes important connections between the visual arts community and the public,” wrote tour coordinator James Nelson on the website. “Our goal is to provide an opportunity for visitors to meet the artists in their working environment, gaining insight into their creative process and a greater appreciation for the value of the work our artists produce.”

There are 54 participating artists spread across Yamhill County, with 21 artists from the Newberg/Dundee/Carlton areas. There are 12 new artists this year.

“This year is the biggest year they’ve ever had,” said local artist and Blue Trout Gallery owner Gary Buhler. “Could you see them all in six days spread across two weeks? Maybe, maybe not. But it’s a great way to find a few artists you may be interested in and get to know them and their art.”

The Art Harvest Studio Tour is not a ticketed event. However, studio visitors need to purchase a $10 tour entry buttons that allows them access to every studio on the tour. You can purchase pins at any of the participating studios, as well as Anam Cara Cellars, ART Elements Gallery, Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce, Chehalem Cultural Center, and Artisanal Wine Cellars in Newberg.

“We’re harvesting art,” Buhler said. “It’s broadly defined. There isn’t any performance art or graffiti, but you’ll see a broad cross section — everything from the academic fine art to more crafty art.”

Newberg’s artists feature traditional acrylic and oil painters all the way to Jennifer Bencharsky‘s wool, silk, and exotic fiber art, to James Violette‘s lamps made of wood, metal, and fabric, to Terry Emery’s concrete and mixed media sculpture.

“I wanted to make touchable art that can go outside,” Emery said. “That’s how I started to create my concrete orbs. The orbs are a little bit like life, perfection and flaws all in one. Making them was a bigger process than I imagined but I did learn a lot.”

Emery started her artistic journey working with clay in her early 20s. Life got in the way of continuing until around 12 years ago when she started making figurines thanks to her sister. Then, in 2019, Emery’s artistic vision “broke out” when she and her sister took a week-long clay sculpture class.

“My figurines are made with recycled materials, wire, cloth, old earrings, nut shells, a whole array of items, all held together by a medium that is weatherproof,” Emery said. “I try to capture everyday quiet moments, or happy moments without using a huge amount of detail. The beauty of the figurines is the pose, the wonderful textures of the fabric and the subtle colors that change in the light.”

This is Emery’s first year participating in the Art Harvest Studio Tour. Now “semi-retired” from her local accounting firm Want & Emery, she said she’s more than excited to be a participant after years of being a sponsor and patron.

“There is nothing better than actually going into someone’s working studio,” Emery said. “You get to see how they do things, see art in all stages. The smells, the activity, and the unusual art are always mind-boggling. It gives you a deeper appreciation for art when you can understand how it’s created.”

Marion McMuldren, tour artist and owner of Studio 306 on E. Sherman Street, is hosting James Violette and ink/acrylic/oil/watercolor artist Ray Massini in her studio alongside her own work in mixed media, painting, and salvaged jewelry. Both artists are in Yamhill County but too far away where McMuldren said people likely wouldn’t make it to them.

“The goal is to get people back to original art,” she said, “whether it be creating or supporting, original art is so important.”

McMuldren said that visitors during the Art Harvest are, of course, going to experience a lot of art. But, they should be prepared to spend a little time at each studio, take notes when something catches their eye, and use the opportunity to get to know the artist while they’re there. And if one really speaks to you, take notes to remember the art and artist and make plans to come back.

“You’re going to go and visit a piece of art several times before you decide to buy it — if you decide to buy it,” McMuldren said. “We know this; art is an investment. There are of course smaller pieces, more affordable pieces. But if there is a piece that really has your attention, remember it and come back to it and see how it moves you again. Then picture how it will fit into your space. There is no pressure at all, we just want to share art — we just love what we do.”

The Art Harvest Studio Tour of Yamhill County takes place October 6 through 8 and October 13 through 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can find the Art Harvest Studio Tour program and maps when you purchase your button at any of the studios or partner businesses.

For more information, visit http://www.artharveststudiotour.org/