Northwest Art Alliance is a multi-reach organization that leverages its network of connections to foster the power of art within communities throughout the region. NWAA is reaching out to find “small towns” (about 10,000 population or less), where ART is at the heart of the community, so we can bring visibility to the art and artists. (See more at the bottom of this page)
Please let us know if there is a community or an organization that could be offered this special opportunity.
Click below to view our past Small Community Focus communities:
Gig Harbor Guemes Island La Conner Langley Manzanita Pomeroy Union
Current Small Community Focus - Experience Florence, OR
Siuslaw Bridge
Florence, Oregon, is a scenic gem on the Pacific coast, renowned for its natural beauty and charming attractions. It has been called The Most Beautiful Town in the United States.
One of the most mesmerizing sights there is the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Spanning over 40 miles, these massive sand dunes offer a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, and are even the inspiration for Frank Herbert’s novel, Dune. Florence is also home to one of the most photographed Lighthouses in the world - Heceta Head Lighthouse, the largest sea cave in the nation - The Sea lion Caves, and a number of other iconic attractions. Strolling through Old Town, you'll encounter beautifully preserved buildings that transport you back to a different era and many public art installations. The Siuslaw River runs adjacent to this district, providing scenic waterfront views and opportunities for boating, fishing, and wildlife spotting.
Florence also boasts a thriving arts community of painters, sculptors, craft artisans, and performers. You’ll find a number of galleries in Old Town, and even preforming arts all year long through the Florence Events Center. The Florence Regional Arts Alliance hold an annual Coastal Plein Air event for two weeks during summer, and during the month of September you can attend the Elements of Art Studio Tours and visit the work space of local artists.
This town is a captivating blend of natural and artistic beauty that enchants visitors throughout the year. Whether it's the awe-inspiring majesty of the Heceta Head Lighthouse or the intricate craftsmanship of locally made jewelry and pottery, Florence is a year-round celebration of both nature and human creativity.
This introduction is brought to you by artist Karylynn Keppol, who has been a member of the artist community in Florence since she was a teenager. You can find her website HERE and her Instagram HERE
“I have been painting and creating art in a multitude of media for many years. Metamorphosis and rebirth are constant themes, and within these themes, an overall awareness of the interconnectivity of all forms of life.
Additionally, I am fascinated with the aboriginal custom of returning annually to sacred sites. For me, each place, or even an animal or an object, seems to take on a sacredness once one has truly experienced it. I often marvel at the beauty of nature unique to each place, animal, or object. They seem to take on an aura of sacredness as a result of the impression they kindle in me.”
See more of Pattie’s art at her Etsy shop and her website HERE
Lynn Anderson
Lynn Anderson is an Anishinaabe, Ojibwa artist known for her exquisite work in traditional and contemporary basket making, beadwork, and quill work. Lynn’s art is a profound expression of her cultural heritage and a testament to her dedication to preserving and evolving Indigenous art forms.
BASKET MAKING: Lynn’s baskets, created using materials like cedar, reed, birch bark and pine needles, showcase her mastery in the craft. Her work features intricate designs and vibrant patterns, as seen in the finely woven baskets and unique pieces such as the fish-shaped basket. Each creation not only serves a functional purpose, but also tells a story, reflecting the rich traditions of the Anishinaabe people.
BEADWORK and QUILL WORK: Anderson is also highly skilled in beadwork and quill work, art forms that are integral to Anishinaabe culture. Her beadwork includes complex, colorful patterns that are often used to decorate regalia and accessories. In quill work, she meticulously hand-dyes porcupine quills and incorporates them into her designs, creating stunning pieces that highlight her attention to detail and artistic innovation.
The art is created for the cultural significance and artistic appeal, bridging traditional methods with contemporary styles. Beyond her artistic achievements, Lynn Anderson is committed to cultural preservation and education. She conducts workshops to share her knowledge and inspire future generations of Indigenous artists. Through her dedication, Lynn ensures that the rich artistic traditions of the Anishinaabe people continue to thrive and evolve.
Jo Beaudreaux is a huge supporter and creator of the Arts since childhood. Throughout her life she continues exploring the arts; growing a deep appreciation and understanding. Beaudreaux continued her studies after high school earning a Bachelor of Fine Art with Honors from San Jose State University with a minor in American Studies.
While studying, she worked at Arts Council Silicon Valley learning how the Arts and Business can fuel economic development and cultural enrichment. The Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce awarded her with a Women in Leadership for young women in school pursuing leadership roles.
After concluding her education in Silicon Valley, she moved to Chicago. There she continued to support and be active with the Arts community while working in academic administration for the University of Chicago before moving to Florence, on the Oregon Coast. The creative blooming of the Siuslaw Area and family is what encouraged her to move back across the country.
Beaudreaux continues to pursue her own art of Photography, Graphic Design, Watercolor, Acrylic and Encaustics art mediums, while supporting fellow artists in the community. She owns and operates BeauxArts Fine Art Materials. Her work has been displayed at numerous shows and locations across America and Internationally. She also does commission and commercial work as well.
See more of Jo’s art on Instagram, Facebook, or on her website HERE
Lauren Suveges is an artist and educator originally from Pittsburgh, PA currently teaching fine art and ceramics at Siuslaw High School in beautiful Florence, OR. She attended Otterbein College in Columbus, OH and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Painting and Printmaking with a minor in Psychology.
Her earlier work focused on portraiture and relationships, knowledge, meaning, and misunderstandings around race and community. After moving to Oregon in 2007, she earned her master’s in Arts and Administration from the University of Oregon, worked in museum education, education technology, and community arts programming before going back to school for her Masters in Teaching with a focus on Arts Education at the secondary level.
Since moving to Oregon, her work has become more centered around the natural world and as a coastal resident, the mountains, the forest, and the sea are central to her inspiration. She has shown at small galleries throughout the northwest including two entries in the Karin Clarke BIennial in 2019 and 2021. Most recently, she has received the Art Teacher Professional Practice Award to attend the 2024 Creative Arts Community at Menucha along the Columbia River Gorge this summer.
You can find Lauren’s work on Instagram and on her website HERE
“My artistic goal is to constantly grow as an artist. My art explores the possibilities of varying styles, techniques, mediums, and subjects. I use my academic training, and my 25 years working for a host of animation studios, to bring movement and personality to my two-dimensional and three-dimensional artwork. I moved to Florence, Oregon in 2020 with my family and 7 cats.”
See mor of Alan’s artwork on Facebook
Kassy Keppol lives with her family among the dragons and fairies in Florence, Oregon. She won her first Illustration award in kindergarten for a picture of a witch in a cage. More recently she won a Margaret Kates Award at the Francelia Butler Children’s Lit. Conference.
When she was eight years old, her mother built her a studio in the laundry room under the stairs. As an adult she has gotten to study illustration under her illustration heroes at Hollins University in Virginia, and is always looking for new ways to improve her abilities. She is an Oregon Writing Project Teacher Consultant, has a Master’s Certification in Children's Book Illustration, a Master’s in Teaching, and a Master’s of Fine Arts in Children’s Book Illustration and Writing.
You can see her illustrations HERE
Maree Beers is a bead artist living in the coastal mountains near Florence, OR. She began doing beadwork at a very young age and continued honing her beading skills through adulthood. She specializes in bead weaving and loves to use high end, precious metal beads and findings to make sophisticated, stylishly modern pieces that sometimes incorporate beads and shells from the natural world.
Maree is also married to a Siuslaw and Lower Umpqua tribal member, and they have two children together. The Siuslaw tribe has a rich, traditional beaded regalia history. Born in the Philippines and being half Nigerian herself, she has found that, other than music and water, beadwork is the most universal thing that ties her family’s cultures together. To that end, she loves designing and creating one of a kind, family heirloom pieces of regalia for her family that incorporates all of the cultures they represent.
This dichotomy of bead weaving styles–contemporary versus traditional, allows her to accommodate a variety of preferences and keeps her own creative mind engaged. Although she does not show or sell in a gallery anymore, Maree loves to do commissioned work and design unique pieces for people who are inspired by her fashion accessory designs.
Find Maree’s artwork on Facebook Main Page, Business Page and Instagram
“After retiring from a 34-year career as an art and pottery educator, I feel as if I am just beginning to think of myself as an artist. For many years, the focus was my students’ processes as artists. It is really exciting to find myself with the option of making art just for me! It has been fun exploring new mediums and techniques. Most recently, I’ve found gel printing and gouache intriguing.
Almost half my life was lived on the plains of Montana and now I have resided 30+ years on The Oregon Coast. Whether working with clay, watercolor, printmaking or the written word, a sense of place is the heart of my work. My inspiration is found in nature’s beauty and textures, along with the feelings of home and community.”
Se more of Kim’s artwork on Instagram
“I’m Kary, and I’m an artist from the Oregon Coast currently living in Seattle. My work is inspired by my adventures in the Pacific Northwest, drawing from my personal experiences exploring its forests, mountains, and coastlines.
With my background in illustration, I’m interested in narratives and how viewers will see different stories in the same picture. My paintings transform my own everyday moments into enchanted scenes, and bring to life a cast of characters on imaginative journeys. I’m just trying to share some extra magic in this already magical world.”
Located in the beautiful, historic, coastal town of Florence, Oregon, Backstreet Gallery can be found on Bay Street along the Siuslaw River. Founded in 2005, it has grown from a tiny Gallery in a small house to the impressive Gallery now located in the heart of Florence’s Old Town. Backstreet Gallery is a member-owned cooperative, a place where artists show their work and interact with the community. Its membership has grown since its beginnings to 30+ members.
The Gallery often offers the opportunity for community members to also display their work––through Community Challenge shows. It has earned the Best Art in Florence Award for several years and is often said to be the best gallery on the Oregon coast.
With a wide variety of various media and subject matter, there is something for everyone. You will find amazing paintings in watercolor, oil, mixed media, and acrylic. Sensational weavings, fiber art, driftwood creations, and paper painting collage are displayed alongside fine woodworking and assemblages. An elegant variety of jewelry offers gifts for any taste. Gorgeous photography, gleaming fused glass, and unique pottery pieces cap the array of arts. Backstreet is a magical place to find one-of-a-kind cards, fine art, unique jewelry, and even books at reasonable prices.
The public is invited to attend Backstreet’s gala after-hours (at various times) and artists’ receptions (every second Saturday). Each reception features live entertainment and great food and wine. Backstreet is a terrific place for the community, as well as visitors, to gather and enjoy music and view exceptional art. It has earned the Best Art Gallery in Florence Award!
Backstreet Gallery is located at: 1421 Bay Street, Old Town, Florence OR 97439. Phone number: 541-997-8980
Find more info on Facebook, Instagram and on their website HERE
Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA), located in Florence Old Town, has its mission to unify and support all of the arts, enrich cultural life and stimulate the economic vitality in the Florence area. We accomplish our mission through events, classes, working with our community on arts programs, and offering a Gallery for local artists. We are an all-volunteer organization with about 150 members and 80 artists represented in the Gallery across many mediums such as painting, photography, jewelry, ceramics, fiber art, glass art, wood working, lapidary, the written word and mixed media.
We host 3-4 arts festivals each year with the goal of showcasing artists and engaging community members with art and its benefits. FRAA also hosts a variety of art classes including a weekly oil painting class, weaving, watercolor painting, drawing, glass mosaics, creativity, open mic poetry and poetry workshops. Volunteers create over a hundred greeting cards for each holiday and donate them to seniors and shut-ins with the goal of keeping them connected to a caring community. We are proud to be a local artists’ community meeting place through open studios and artists just stopping in.
FRAA fosters youth art growth by hosting a space in the gallery for art created by local youth. We showcase youth artists including art created with the assistance of grants we receive to work with youth. We enjoy participating in Florence’s 2nd Saturday Gallery Tour featuring one of our artists each time as well as a youth artist or group, along with a local musician sharing outstanding local art, music and food with the community and public at large.
Florence Regional Arts Alliance is located at 120 Maple Street (mailing address PO Box 305). Florence, OR 97439. Phone number is 541-997-4435
Peek into Manzanita, OR
Nestled along the breathtaking coastline of Oregon, Manzanita is a charming town that beckons visitors with its unique blend of coastal beauty and a laid-back, artistic atmosphere. With its pristine sandy beaches, bordered by the Pacific Ocean on one side and towering forests on the other, Manzanita provides a serene escape for those seeking tranquility amid nature’s wonders. The town’s main thoroughfare, Laneda Avenue, features an array of eclectic shops, galleries, and local eateries, creating a warm and inviting ambiance for residents and visitors alike.
Manzanita’s community is tightly knit, embodying the quintessential spirit of a small coastal town. Residents often engage in various outdoor activities, from hiking the nearby Neahkahnie Mountain trails to enjoying the surf along the scenic coastline. This towering mountain that runs right down into the ocean is part of the protected 2500 acres of Oswald West State Park, and it provides a spectacular view as one looks toward the north along the coastline.
Manzanita has become a haven for artists and writers seeking inspiration from its stunning natural surroundings. The town’s charm lies not only in its scenic beauty but also in its vibrant artistic community that has flourished over the years. Writers are often drawn to the community where they find solace and inspiration in the rhythmic crash of waves along the shoreline and the whispering winds through the tall evergreens.
In the spirit of its commitment to the arts, Manzanita has become a thriving community and serves as a focal point for creative expression. The synthesis of natural beauty and artistic inspiration in Manzanita paints a compelling portrait of a town where the arts are not just appreciated but embraced as an integral part of its identity.
Introduction and photographs by NWAA board member and part-time Manzanita resident, Gregg Goolsby. See more of Gregg’s artwork HERE.
“For over forty years I’ve been a working artist and have developed a very personal vision, through the practice of several mediums: photography, pastel, oil and the written word. Representational in style my work depicts many different subjects from figures to interiors, landscapes to still life, but my focus in these is on the metaphorical and symbolic ideas that are present in daily life, in nature and also in the relationship between the two. The place between inner and outer experiences often forms a starting point for me and painting offers a way to explore this ever-shifting reality.
My work is shown in galleries and group exhibitions, has been used on book covers, calendars and cards and can be found in numerous private and public collections. I’ve written two books: Traveling Light: Chasing an Illuminated Life and Painting Cats, both include my artwork, and my paintings and pastels about books and reading are collected in the volume In the Presence of Books with an introduction by Kim Stafford. I live and work in the Manzanita area with my filmmaker husband Carl Vandervoort and our cat Birdie.
I’m currently working on new oil paintings for a show in March/April 2024 at White Bird Gallery in Cannon Beach, OR where I’m regularly represented. You can see more of my past and present work HERE”
“I’m an Otomí artist, native to Boyle Heights, Los Angeles now living in Nehalem, OR. I first studied ceramics in high school and most recently at the Escuela Nacional de Cerámica in Jalisco, Mexico, but am mostly a self-taught artist. I work with clay as a way of connecting to my ancestral memories and to the elements of life – earth, water, fire, and air. My process involves making vessels through both wheel-throwing and hand-building and often adding sculptural elements. Finished surfaces seek to reflect the inherent beauty of clay.
My sculptural work is an exploration of the reciprocal relationship between land and people. Invoking a time when people did not just seek to spend time in nature but lived with the deeper realization that people and nature are one. The river, the person, and the vessel each an interconnected body. My studio is based in Nehalem, on the North Oregon Coast within the immense beauty of the Pacific Northwest rainforests. You may find my pottery for sale at Nehalem Bay Pottery, where my studio is based, or on my Etsy shop. Also see me on my website or Instagram - @kantaropottery“
“Before I ever touched a camera, my interest in nature, and specifically gardening, started at a very young age. Years later, while attending art school, photographing flowers began as a mere exercise. It allowed me to learn the ins and outs of working with a large format camera, while my subject matter waited patiently in the studio. Little did I know that I would be photographing plants for a living for the next 25 years. It turned out to be a perfect marriage.
Now I was able to grow and then document my own subject matter. I’d never photographed outside the studio until I moved full time to Manzanita, with its beautiful shoreline and exquisite surrounding forests. I decided to take my camera and photograph the ever changing colors and light of Neahkahnie beach. And, during the many forest hikes, I have been learning about the magnificent world of fungi. Many of them amazingly photogenic and some of them so very delicious to eat.” Visit Ron’s website HERE
“I work in collaboration with stone, with marble, with the elements of the planet. Marble is a material that once was alive. Ancient coral reefs and bones from sea creatures were layered in flowing forms of water currents, accumulated over millennia on the bottom of changing seas. With planetary shifts and the weight of time, these deposits were highly compressed under extreme heat and thrust into mountains. The quarrying process cuts open these mountains to expose the history of our planet. It is a terrible beauty. This is Carrara, Italy – where I have worked for 36 years, bringing sculptures to fruition in my studios both in Carrara and on the Oregon Coast in Nehalem.
I carve in response to the unique qualities of each stone I touch. It is an intimate and reverent dialogue of lasting consequence. And being a woman sculptor, I attempt to convey the essence of what it feels like to be human, to be woman. Whether working abstractly or in the figurative vein, I approach the form as if it has always existed. The process of direct carving keeps me active in the present tense as I respond to the form with each hammer blow. I am increasingly delighted by the endless possibilities that the human form and spirit provide as vehicle for expression. Often presenting a full-on facing forward figure without the contortions of vanity, I want to express the essence of our human-ness rather than the image of a person. Although stone carving is the most ancient and durable of art forms, working within the moments of my own time and evolution imparts a contemporary insight into that which is both ancient and immediate in all of us.
(Art lingo aside, I make a fair bit of noise and dust with both old style hammer and chisel as well as grinders, air hammers, and lots of sandpaper!) Visit my website HERE”
“Early in my college art education, I was lightning-struck by a retrospective in San Francisco of Georgia O’Keeffe paintings. Her huge, boldly beautiful still-life images inspired my belief in a life as a successful woman painter. Around then, historians began revealing many women artists that had been overlooked throughout history. Successful careers of artists such as Rosa Bonheur, Artemisia Gentileschi, and Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun provided needed role models for me.
I paint in oil on canvas, and emphasize still-life objects interacting with references to historic art. Lately (since 2012 and through the decade) I have made large scale self-portraits to see myself as a “woman in histosty.
Women persist to defy the boundaries set by family obligations and bias in exclusionary environments where male artists have historically achieved more success and exposure. Artistic expressions viewed as “feminine” or un-masculine sometime elicit disrespect. Beyond gender identity, I look to all my artistic predecessors for the fluidity of creativity which knows no sex or gender; and I have been finding other prejudicial boundaries such as race and class to probe, perhaps somewhat subliminally while distracting the viewer with emphasis on unapologetic lushness.” See more about Sherrie HERE
“My aim is to create elegant, modern, and functional ceramics: round, oval, angular, often brought to conclusion by exaggeration: a diminutive or elongated neck, each piece energetically lifting off the base; assertive, patterned, and fresh. All pieces are wheel-thrown stoneware and often finished with matte glazes and wax-resist patterns.
I create patterns on the surface – inspired by a field of wildflowers, ridged driftwood, veined rock or perhaps heavily tweeded wool or the printed pattern in a kimono. Each pattern has reassuring repetition that feels orderly while also embracing organic variation. I sometimes carve patterns following the same tension between order and organic, striving to show my hand while avoiding the sense of mechanic perfection.” See Mary’s ceramics at Riversea Gallery in Astoria Oregon.
“Just as basket weaving took hold of me so many years ago, to this day I still find great pleasure with the process and rhythm of creating contemporary and organic vessels from natural fibers. The process is a dynamic, tactile transformation of forms. Much of what I know about weaving developed from experimenting with plants and grasses combined with rattan reed. My early baskets were more utilitarian, but as I discovered the unique qualities of different fibers my baskets took on an organic aesthetic.
Eventually, the years of weaving led me to explore both stained-glass processes and hand-built pottery methods. Currently I’m integrating woven fibers onto fired clay forms that has reignited my explorative nature and creative spirit. These pieces especially, representing two earliest technologies, hold the most significance to me.” See more of Kathleen’s artwork HERE
The Hoffman Center for the Arts in Manzanita, Oregon, is a vibrant cultural hub nestled in the heart of this coastal community. Boasting a rich history and commitment to fostering creativity, the center serves as a focal point for artists and art enthusiasts alike. With its diverse array of programs and events, the Hoffman Center plays a crucial role in promoting the arts and cultural expression within the region.
The center hosts a variety of activities, including art exhibitions, workshops, performances, and lectures. Many are drawn to the center for its outstanding clay program. In addition to visual arts programs the center offers a writing program with contests and publishes the highly acclaimed Squid magazine. It provides resources and support for local artists, contributing to the dynamic cultural tapestry of Manzanita. There is even a horticultural program with a garden on the property of the center that is under care of volunteers.
Whether you're a seasoned artist looking for inspiration or a community member seeking to engage with the arts, the Hoffman Center offers a welcoming space that celebrates creativity in all its various forms.
Learn more about the Hoffman Center for the Arts HERE
This highly successful gallery is owned by J. Scott Wilson who is a full-time painter. Scott has shown his art in more than three dozen successful exhibitions since 1998. He established Polaris Gallery in 2011 in the heart of Manzanita and currently displays exclusively his own paintings.
Scott’s works are in high demand as they offer a unique and evocative visual experience with a “Zen-like” quality. His fluid brushstrokes using oil convey a sense of movement and fluidity in the scene. His seascapes and skyscapes evoke the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the ocean, capturing the essence of waves crashing and the constant motion of water, clouds and light.
This approach invites the observer to engage with the artwork on a more visceral and emotional level and encourages them to immerse themselves in the mood and energy of the ever-shifting beauty of the mighty Pacific Ocean. See more abuot the Polaris Gallery and Scott’s artwork HERE.
In the adjoining town of Nehalem OR is the NCRD. This major facility and non-profit organization offer numerous art-related programs with a special focus on the performing arts. It features a beautiful theatre which puts on first rate stage performances featuring the Riverbend Players as well as other theatrical groups. The NCRD Performing Arts Center has become an important community asset to the North Oregon Coast. Performances that were not possible in a small community are now staged throughout the year in a building dating back to the 1930s. It has become the main gathering place of the North Tillamook County community and hosts a wide variety of events from community theater to variety shows and from solo performers to symphony orchestras.
Visual arts programs are focused on children with “Arts and Crafts Wednesday” becoming a very popular program offering. “The NCRD staff enjoy being creative with our kids, and work alongside them to inspire and encourage them. We provide a variety of mediums to work with, and an array of tools to express themselves. We like to relate our art to the season or holidays we are near. If it’s the beginning of a new school trimester we may be making collage vision boards, or we may be painting flowers in the spring.”
The facility includes a spacious art gallery where local artists can showcase and sell their work. The gallery space is available for rent at a very attractive price, allowing artists to exhibit their work for a month. The NCRD will handle the art sales, charging only a small commission to handle the transaction.
In September 2023, NWAA board member Gregg Goolsby (a part-time resident of Manzanita) showcased an exhibition of 60 pieces of his photography and art. 100% of the sales proceeds were donated in support of the amazing Mudd-Nick Foundation—a local non-profit offering various programs to positively impact children’s lives. Goolsby has a passion for using his art to raise funds for great causes and praised the NCRD for providing accessible gallery space for local artists. He believes NCRD sets a commendable example for other communities seeking ways to connect citizens with the arts and those who create by making displays more accessible to them. See all NCRD the programs HERE.
Do you have a small art community in mind? What does it mean to be selected as the featured Small Community Focus?
Small town of 10,000 population or less with an artist community
Three times a year NWAA will select a community to be featured in the monthly Spectrum Newsletter with subscriptions serving over 7500 people.
This one community art center will be the focus during that four-month period that could include photos and/or history, narrative, and a link to a combined website.
Interviews and art for one or two artists could be featured each month for a combined total of up to 8 artists. Spectrum Newsletter editor Delores Peck will interview and write about each featured artist.
At the end of four months, the web link to the community will remain, but the primary focus will shift to another area within the region.
NWAA relies on volunteers to accomplish most of the work and intends to work with that community to find the best way to capture the art and artist stories that are waiting to be told.
There is no cost - just wonderful benefits of public visibility, increased awareness of a thriving art experience, and community pride.
Requires one or more people that are part of the community to be the contact for the local artists and galleries. To gather their information to be presented in the online exhibit.
Please let us know if there is a community or an organization that could be offered this special opportunity. Click here to contact us with your small community nomination.