Pictured: Happy Girl, paper collage by Dori Koberstein in

“Not Just: A World Collage Day Exhibition”

June brings two new exciting exhibits and the start of Summer Art Camps!

Don’t miss your chance to see our fantastic current exhibit, “Not Just: A World Collage Day Exhibition,” on display through June 9th. This juried exhibit features 40 local and national collage artists and an international invitational showcasing the work of 11 artists from 9 different countries.

The Art Center is excited to present two new exhibits, “Vestiges,” featuring artists Julie Anderson Bailey (Roseburg, OR), Janine Etherington (Eugene, OR), Jason Greene (Corbett, OR), and Karen Russo (Elmira, OR), and “Evocation,” with artists Andrea Schwartz-Feit (Eugene, OR) and John Richey (Cove, OR). Both shows open on Friday, June 23rd with a public reception from 5 – 7pm.

Soon the classrooms and studios will be filled with young artists in our upcoming “Imagine It!” Summer Youth Art Camp and Young Adult “Drawing & Illustration” lab. This year the Art Center will be hosting 8 weeks of summer youth camps and 7 weeks of young adult art labs. This is one of my most favorite times at the Art Center, filled with young artists creatively expressing themselves and discovering new types of art.

All my best,

The Art Center was thrilled to host its 2nd annual “Marvelous Mother’s Day at Maude’s” fundraiser on May 14th. A good (warm) time was had by all and the well-attended event raised over $6,900 to help support the Art Center’s ongoing operations and programs. We are extremely grateful for the support from participating artists, business sponsors, volunteers, members, and the community. Thank you!

A special thank you to our wonderful volunteers: Louise Bishop, Liz Bohls, Joan Chamberlain, Robin Cochran, Heidi Davidson, Ben Davis, Jan Eliot, Clare Feighan, Michael Fisher, Hannah Goldrich, Ann Hamilton, Drew Harrington, Don Jansen, Val King, Joanie Kleban, Fran Kornfield, Jeanne Maasch, Mireille Machu, Larry Marks, Erica Miller, Jewel Murphy, Caroline Passerotti, Bea Roberts, Wendy Strong, Ed Teague, Fred Tepfer, Susan Todd, Ellen Todras, Cathy Simard, and Alice Strong.

Pictured: The 2nd annual “Marvelous Mother’s Day at Maude’s

The Maude Kerns Art Center is very pleased to announce that it has received a Ruth Foundation for the Arts 2023 Artist Choice grant in the amount of $20,000. The Art Center is one of only two arts organizations in the entire state of Oregon to be honored with the Artist Choice grant. This year’s recipients span 41 cities in 26 states.

Artist Choice grants are awarded through an artist-driven nomination process. This year nominating artists acknowledged both artist-run spaces and the longstanding organizations that have shaped their practice. The Ruth Foundation for the Arts (Ruth Arts), named after lifetime supporter of the arts Ruth DeYoung Kohler (1941-2020), is a new, national granting organization based in the Midwest. Ruth Arts is “dedicated to meeting the evolving needs and lived experiences of artists, communities, and arts organizations whose work is anchored by visual arts, performing arts, and arts education.”

Not Just: A World Collage Day Exhibition

through June 9

Don’t miss “Not Just,” a juried exhibit in honor of World Collage Day (May 13), featuring work by 40 local and regional collage artists, as well as the collage art of 11 invited international artists from nine countries, on view through Friday, June 9. “Not Just: A World Collage Day Exhibition,” which was juried by Beth I. Robinson and Michael White, showcases an exciting variety of approaches to the art of collage. Mediums vary widely, including acrylic, paper, paper collage, puzzle montage, assemblage, intaglio, found objects, natural pigments, cyanotype, textile, appliqué, embroidery, ceramics, kiln-cast glass, musical instrument parts, blackout poetry, ink, monoprint, aerosol paint, magazine clippings, and mixed media. 

Upcoming:

Two Shows Open June 23

Vestiges features the work of four Oregon artists - Julie Anderson Bailey (Roseburg), Janine Etherington (Eugene), Jason Greene (Corbett), and Karen Russo (Elmira) - who tell visual stories that represent a kind of call and response collaboration with nature. Through painting, printmaking, mixed media, and sculpture, these artists reveal the “vestiges” of what might be lost through climate change, war, and disconnection.

Evocation: This exhibit showcases two Oregon artists: Andrea Schwartz-Feit (Eugene), who creates encaustic paintings that translate and interpret patterns in nature and self, and John Richey (Cove), whose carved wood standing figure sculptures evoke a psychological human presence.

Pictured: Sequences in Space by Janine Etherington in “Vestiges”

“Oregon Imagined” at the Gallery at the Airport

On view through July 11 at the Gallery at the Airport is “Oregon Imagined,” featuring 29 Art Center member artists who envision a future Oregon in a diverse variety of approaches and mediums. Some imagined an Oregon where the state’s cherished natural environment and landscapes were protected. A number depicted an Oregon ravaged by wildfires while others took a more humorous approach, playing on Oregon's history with cryptids and legends. The exhibit includes a mixture of 2-D and 3-D pieces in a variety of media, including paper, cold wax, acrylic, oil, ceramics, assemblage, fused glass, dyed reeds, paper clay, printmaking, photography, gouache, chalk pastels, and found natural materials. The Gallery at the Airport is located inside the terminal’s main lobby.

Pictured: The Alpenglow After the Storm, acrylic on canvas by Leah Sowell

Members Art Gallery & Gift Shop

Work by Art Center members and Club Mud ceramicists is exhibited in the Members Art Gallery on a quarterly basis. The work of 13 member artists is on display in the Members Gallery through June 9. The Summer Members Gallery exhibit opens on Friday, June 23.

Pictured: Cherry Blossoms, colored pencil on brown paper, by Lael Salaets in the Summer Members Art Gallery

Online Members Gallery

The Exhibits Program continues to accept artwork for display and sale in the Online Members Gallery. Current Art Center member artists can get information about how to participate by emailing the Exhibits Coordinator Liberty Rossel at exhibits@mkartcenter.org. Participation is free for current members.

Día de los Muertos Exhibit:

The Art Center is accepting submissions for our 30th annual Día de los Muertos Exhibit, October 13 – November 3. Work must be original and must focus on the Mexican Day of the Dead, which blends the ancient harvest rituals of the Aztec god of death and the Roman Catholic holidays of All Saints and All Souls Days. All artists, working in all mediums, are eligible.

Application may be either online or with a paper application. For online entry, go to the Día de los Muertos Form to submit and pay via our online application form. For mail or in-person entry, include a flash drive with jpeg images, a completed application, a resumé, an artist’s statement, and a $15 submission fee.

Entries are due or must be postmarked by Monday, August 7. For more information, call 541-345-1571 or email exhibits@mkartcenter.org.

Weekend Workshops

Inspiring Women Artists

Sara S. Spahn

1:00 – 3:30 pm

Saturday, June 3

Register here



Work with some of the colors, techniques, and ideas of creative women! Our instructor will guide you through painting, drawing, and collage activities. We will be exploring works by assemblage artist and sculptor Lillian Blades as well as abstract painter Helen Frankenthaler.

Atlanta, Georgia artist Lillian Blades works predominately in mixed media assemblages, using an assortment of different materials, including found objects. She was born in Nassau, Bahamas and her ancestral background is West African. Her work is influenced particularly by her late mother, who was a seamstress.

Abstract painter Helen Frankenthaler (1928 – 2011) was one of the most important American artists of the 20th century. She played an important role in the transition from Abstract Expressionism to Color Field painting. Through her invention of the soak-stain technique, she expanded the possibilities of abstract painting, while at times referencing figuration and landscape in unique ways. 

Bring a family member and join us for a fun day of assemblage and painting!

Pictured: Top: Abundanscape, mixed media assemblage by Lillian Blades

Pictured: Bottom: Lush Spring, painting by Helen Frankenthaler

Lumen Printing

Brenna Hansen

12:00 – 3:00 pm

Sunday, June 4

Register here

Lumen prints are photograms made with the sun. This is a camera-less photography process that combines photographic paper and chemistry traditionally used in a darkroom setting with light and subject matter found outside. The results yielded from this open and experimental process are surprising and dynamic. In this workshop, we’ll introduce this alternative analog process, experiment with a variety of materials, and briefly cover DIY digital methods of presentation and archiving. No previous experience is required, and all materials are included.

Urban Plein Air with Pastels

Channing Rudd

12:00 – 4:00 pm

Saturday & Sunday

June 10 & 11

Register here

Capture the hilly streets, storefronts, and urban skyline of Eugene in this plein air class. Learn to create a convincing sense of space, light, and time of day while depicting streetscapes, trees, and sky. Color mixing and pastel techniques will be demonstrated, but all drawing/painting media are welcome. Saturday we will meet at the Art Center. Sunday's location will be announced at the end of that class session. Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation to the plein air locations. All levels welcome!

Drawing Essentials

Tuesdays, June 27 – August 22*

6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

*No class July 4th

Register here

Learn the simple elements of drawing - line, edge, volume, value, texture, and perspective – and begin your artistic journey. Over this eight-week course, develop your drawing and observational skills all while learning the foundational building blocks of artistic creation. Take your drawings to the next level!

Botanical Illustration: Summer Florals

Mondays, July 10 – August 28

6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Register here

Summer brings about a bounty of inspiring plants and flowers for us to draw! Join this class and learn how to convincingly draw botanical subjects in a stylized manner. For each class, the instructor demonstrates in real time, allowing for questions and explanations about how to approach botanical illustration. By exploring various media and techniques, you will discover which methods you prefer for creating your own botanical drawings.

Digital Drawing: Intro to Procreate

Wednesdays, June 28 – August 23*

6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

*No class July 5th

Register here

Do you have some experience with drawing, but want to branch out into digital art? Procreate is a fun tool to create, alter, and illustrate images! From setting up your first canvas to exporting your finished masterpieces, you will learn everything you want to know about making digital art on the go in this eight-week course. Previous drawing experience is recommended but not required. iPads will be supplied. Please see materials list for additional supplies.

Open Studio: Figure Drawing 

Wednesdays, July 12 – August 30 

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Register here

Keep practicing your drawing skills this summer. This figure drawing open studio will run eight weeks. The model will be nude and changes weekly. The length of each pose will vary. 

Exploring Color

Wednesdays, July 12 – August 30

1:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Register here

Do you want to use more color in your art? Ever been curious about color theory? In this class, we will play with color, concentrating both on how to achieve certain colors by mixing, and how limited palettes can inform a piece overall. Adaptable for various media, this class is a great option if you’re looking to further your understanding about the important role color plays in your work.

Wheel-Throwing Fundamentals 

Tuesdays, July 11 – August 29

6:00 pm – 8:30 pm 

Register here

This class covers all the basics of wheel throwing, including wedging, centering, and creating simple forms on the wheel. Classes begin with an instructor demonstration and move into hands-on activities. You will also learn how to prepare your work for firing. Students will leave this eight-week course with at least 3 finished forms to take home. All levels are welcome. 

Block Printing & Linocut 

Tuesdays, July 11 – September 5*

6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

*No class August 15

Register here

Explore printmaking this summer! This class takes students through the most basic of printing techniques all the way to a more complicated three-color print. You will complete a handful of projects that will build on each other, culminating in a final, semi-large-scale, 3-color reductive print. Learn to transfer drawings to a block surface, a variety of carving techniques, and methods for printing on fabric and paper. Prior drawing and painting experience is recommended. You will enjoy the versatility of printing on a variety of surfaces. Join us!

Working with Pastels

Saturday and Sunday, July 8 & 9 

12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Register here

In this two-day workshop, you will learn how easy and fun pastel drawing can be! You will learn scumbling, blending, and other techniques. We will also be covering the materials basics, including exploring the purest of pigments and color with pastels. Through demonstrations and critique, you will produce your very own pastel project.

Discover Copic Pens 

Saturday, July 29

12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Register here

Get acquainted with Copic pens in this one-day workshop. Often used for comic strips and architectural renderings, Copic pens are versatile and can be used in many different artistic pursuits! Copic pens will be available for you to try, and we will go over what makes these pens so unique and exciting. Each student is asked to bring in three, 4" x 6" images of landscapes. We can use these images to draw over on special Copic paper. This method allows each student the ability to focus on color and blending without the need to determine the composition. Spend the afternoon and make three beautiful, abstracted images!

Raku: Enhancing Forms through Glazing

& Firing

Saturday, August 5 

6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Register here

Enjoy the beauty of Raku pottery! Join us for a special evening and learn how to achieve a myriad of colors on the surface of pottery. Students will have two pre-bisqued forms to glaze and fire. The instructor will demonstrate the kiln loading and the firing process as we fire your objects in one evening. All students are required to sign a liability release form (provided to you before class begins) and follow all safety procedures in the kiln firing area. Join us and enjoy the Raku firing method!

Urban Plein Air with Pastels 

Saturday & Sunday, August 19 & 20 

12 pm – 4 pm

Register here

Capture the hilly streets, storefronts, and urban skyline of Eugene in this plein air class. Learn to create a convincing sense of space, light, and time of day while depicting streetscapes, trees, and sky. Color mixing and pastel techniques will be demonstrated, but all drawing media are welcome. Engaging urban and neighborhood subjects are located within 15 minutes of the Art Center. Saturday we will meet at the Art Center. Sunday's location will be announced at the end of Saturday's class session. Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation to the plein air locations. Bring a lunch and water bottle. All levels welcome! If there is a weather event, class will be held at the Art Center.

Young Adult Labs, which are for ages 11 – 16 years, provide 3 hours of guided creative exploration. Labs are designed for experimentation and all levels are welcome! There are still spots available in the following Young Adult half-day labs.  

Clay Hand Building 

July 24 – 28

9 am – 12 pm

Register here

Explore slab building, coil pots, and pinch pots! We will spend the week learning to texturize and glaze the forms we make. Learn how to make your clay creations ready for firing. Join us in this fun 3-D clay class!

Sustainable Art Lab

August 7 – 11

9 am – 12 pm

Register here

This week we explore sustainability and how to create one-of-a-kind art from a variety of materials. Learn the art of repurposing out of everyday materials. Join us!

Drawing Fundamentals

August 14 – 18

9 am – 12 pm

Register here

Learn basic skills using both traditional and experimental drawing techniques. This week we will produce drawings using ink, charcoal, pencil, colored pencil, and pastels. We will learn to layer these mediums and experiment with textures, positive and negative space, and composition.

Wildlife Art Lab

August 21 – 25

9 am – 12 pm

Register here

This week you will immerse yourself in wildlife art making, learning the basics of anatomy and rendering fur or feathers. This class will draw from wildlife photos as well as live animals.

Scholarships

The Art Center currently offers scholarships for 50% of the cost of tuition for classes and camps. Scholarships are available for all age groups through the Susi Larsen & Cameron Serbu Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Madeleine Christenson Scholarship Fund. You can apply today on our website! 

During the month of July, 14 members of the Art Center’s onsite Club Mud Ceramics Cooperative exhibit ceramic wall art at Café Soriah, located at 384 W. 13th Avenue in Eugene. Exhibiting artists are Emily Bellehumeus, Sandy Crowley, Michiyo Goble, Brian Gorrin, Frank Gosar, Judith Hankin, Annie Heron, Nicole Hummel, Jon King, Johnny MacPherson, Donna Meyer, Karen Washburn, Linda Williams, and Dan Young.

Enjoy Café Soriah’s delicious food and drink and view work that you don’t ordinarily see by some of your favorite potters!

Pictured: Cuppa Black Coffee, ceramic wall art by Annie Heron

Eugene Darkroom Group is partnering with Falling Sky Delicatessen at 790 Blair Blvd for our next fundraiser! Stop by on Tuesday, June 13, between 3 – 9 pm and buy a pint (or two!) to help support the darkroom. For your contribution to be included, you must mention that you are part of the fundraiser at checkout.

In addition to a cold crisp beer, you can look forward to some moments of community and great conversation with other analog photo lovers. If you've been curious about the darkroom, this is a great event to attend to meet some of the folks involved. We hope to see you there!

We are very grateful to our Volunteers, Board members, Staff, and Art Center donors and patrons for their ongoing dedication and support.

MISSION STATEMENT

To nurture artistic expression and creativity in the individual and

to cultivate an appreciation and understanding of art and culture

in our community.