Hannah West is a Jacksonville website designer and art advocate. She is the creator and editor of the Southern Oregon Artists Resource website (www.soarartists.com), serves on the board of Art Presence Art Center, is a core founding member of Arts Alliance of Southern Oregon, curated the monthly art exhibits at GoodBean Coffee for 7 years, and occasionally teaches various computer skills workshops for artists. See some of her art and web design work at www.hannahwestdesign.com. 
Lao Tzu says, “It is the empty space which makes a bowl useful.” A bowl is symbolic of holding, giving, offering, receiving, filling, and gifting. A bowl is open: open for possibility. A bowl can be efficient and sufficient. In Buddhism, generosity is the ground for everything else. Small kindnesses make a difference. Let’s each […]
Autumn is the traditional season of bounty, but it can also be a time to reflect on the coming season of transitional change. As artists and writers, we often find this a golden time for reveling in the beauty of nature’s most dramatic costume change. We welcome a bittersweet harmony to our lives as we […]
The influence that artists exert on each other is like a physical force, the pull of gravity of attraction or repulsion. An artist may be influenced by another artist’s technique, choice of materials, or subject matter. But when it comes to day-to-day inspiration, all artists draw from the same limitless catalogue.
Art Presence Art Center […]
The first and most important thing of all for an artist is to have a real love of the visible world. The feelings which this evokes are the main motivation for putting brush to paper, composing images in cameras, writing a poem full of images for the senses. Making an object look like what an […]
I have a good friend who has a PhD in Color Theory. This seemed impossible to me, thinking there just couldn’t be that much to absorb, until I studied with him and learned that color is its own divine language, creating meaning through combinations and arrangement.
A certain positioning of complimentary colors can fool the eye […]
It is clear that there are similarities between the worlds of the writer and the artist. Painters exercise some of the qualities essential to good writing—the incredible power of the visual imagination, creating images—while writers use their words to create images, constructing form and color, texture, perspective, and composition. I find myself envying them as […]
One definition of “Art” is that which evokes an emotion. What is it about the artist’s eye, their way of seeing, that enables them to create the sensations we feel when observing their work? The artist’s faculty of sight has been educated. Rather than taking for granted the blade of grass, the folds of cloth […]
What is a logo? A combination of image and text that depicts the name and purpose of a business. It can be a lot more than this, telling a story and establishing an emotional connection with the audience. It makes a great first impression and distinguishes itself from competitors. We have been fortunate to have […]
The month of April, Art Presence Art Center celebrates its 10th Anniversary as a Fine Art Gallery in Jacksonville. This is a time to reflect on where we have been and what we anticipate for our next ten years. Our initial Mission Statement spoke to our relationship with our community in Jacksonville. Our new Statement […]
A famous artist once said, “Real artists understand life with a brush in their hand…what does anyone do with rules? Nothing worthwhile!”
It pleases me to see artists break rules and create the most exciting, chest grabbing, eye rolling art, so when I teach, I never really discuss “rules.” When you come to the reception for […]
And it happened again, another 365 days…I have no idea how this happened, because, for me, every day seems to run into the next.
But I want to spend this time to thank you profusely for your support of Art Presence Art Center. We will celebrate our 10th Anniversary this year, an overwhelming achievement in the […]
Art Presence Art Center devotes another special call to artists for the Angels Show. Why, for the ninth year, are we showing such a lively interest in the invisible world? Some of the greatest among the saints and men of God have found a place for Angels. Many of the most difficult questions about their […]
November’s art exhibition at Art Presence begins with a wonderful new member show, opening Friday, November 5, and continuing on-display through Sunday, November 28. The gallery is open Fridays and Saturdays from 12-5pm and Sundays from 10am-5pm.
You don’t have to miss the show just because you can’t make it to the gallery. See a virtual […]
The 8th Annual October Imaginarium is open! This year’s theme, Reality or Illusion? has resulted in a wonderful collection of artwork depicting Autumn, Halloween, and imaginative ideas building upon the theme. The exhibition opened on Friday, September 17, and continues through Halloween. The gallery is open Fridays and Saturdays from 12-5pm and Sundays from 10-5pm. […]
The whole of life lies in the verb, “seeing.” Artists master that ability so that you may see through them our unique and beautiful world. Seeing is difficult at the moment as we are struggling with our smoky atmosphere, the extraordinary heat, and the possible risks of Covid. It is with careful study and consultation […]
Paul Cezanne, a Master during the Post-Impressionism era, said, “With an apple I will astonish Paris.” His beautiful still lifes did exactly that, and they continue to astonish around the world today. Not every artist has that lofty goal. The need to make art is what motivates them, but there is no question that […]
Winslow Homer said, “The life I have chosen gives me my full hours of enjoyment for the balance of my life, the sun will not rise or set without my notice and thanks.” Truly the life of an artist, using the shadows created by the sun at every angle to allow for the joy of […]
Art Presence Art Center is cautiously continuing the new hours introduced last month. The gallery is now open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12–5 pm.
Our guest exhibit for June showcases fiber art by members of the Southern Oregon Longarm Association (SOLA). SOLA is a group of textile artists dedicated to educating, supporting, and promoting […]
Art Presence Art Center is still making every effort to control the virus in our environment. We are looking forward to the month of May to transition into a more “normal” life for our gallery. With that in mind we present a truly fun event for which our members have painted images of pets. We […]
“In life, expect many transformations,” a quote from an author I enjoy. Art Presence Art Center has put this into practice many times of late. Our expectations of change are filled with hope as we are open for another month to share the art of many fine artists and craftsmen. The experience of seeing and […]
“In life, expect many transformations,” is a quote from an author I enjoy. Art Presence Art Center has put this into practice many times of late. Our expectations of change are filled with hope as we are open for another month to share the art of many fine artists and craftsmen. The experience of seeing […]
Passion is any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, an outburst of strong desire…the dictionary has twelve answers to define this word. We are all now in the throes of intense and fervid feelings as we have faced this pandemic and political strife. Art Presence Art Center has given us all a place to enjoy […]
UPDATE at press-time—Because of a freeze imposed on Oregon due to a surge in Coronavirus, Art Presence Art Center will be closed through December 2nd. You may enjoy a Virtual Tour of the exhibit by accessing it through the Jacksonville Review website, where all the donated artwork is highlighted for Artist victims of the fires. […]
It seems absolutely impossible that three communities so close to us have been decimated to such a horrific degree. Taking a drive down Hwy 99, I found myself weeping and totally shocked by the devastation. I tried to put myself in the place of someone having to evacuate or, God forbid, lose their home. For […]
Art Presence Art Center is already making plans for member exhibits and guest artists in 2021. Look for virtual tours of all the exhibits in the new year, compensating for our inability to have receptions to celebrate the artists.
The City of Jacksonville has again supported us with a three-year lease. This enables us to take […]
“Without the arts, without music, without dance, without drama, without photography, the civil rights movement would have been like a bird without wings.” ~Senator John Lewis
This is a transition month for our art exhibitions, and you can see a wide variety of art as they change over. Our Summer Daze member show and […]
Art Presence Art Center’s Summer Daze show of member artwork continues on display through September 13. It’s a fantastic show, so please make sure to come in to view this collection. Remember that the gallery is open an extra day through the end of September, so you can stop by any Thursday, Friday, Saturday or […]
Art Presence Art Center reopens in July! With the Four “C’s”—Close Contact, Confined Spaces, Crowds and Choices—in mind, we will use CDC guidelines to welcome patrons for an art experience extraordinaire. We’re eager to return to the gallery and share the creative delights our members offer!
The Artists Workshop began over 35 years ago by a […]
Art Presence Art Center’s Board and Director have made the decision to remain closed through the month of June. Watching and reading about the devastation in countries and states that are either noncompliant or simply unable to distance themselves from one another shows how well we in Oregon and Jackson County have done.
What we need […]
For March 2020, Art Presence presents Off the Beaten Path, a themed exhibit of member artworks. The show opens on Friday, March 6, and closes on Sunday, April 26.
Our guest exhibit is an exhibition of works by the Siskiyou Woodcraft Guild, running March 6–29. The Siskiyou Woodcraft Guild—co-founded in 1980 by Tom Phillips, at that […]
I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free. ~ Michelangelo
Holiday Treasures, our annual holiday shopping show, continues every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through December 29! Come to Art Presence to find inspiring gifts of art for the extra-special and hard-to-shop-for people on your gift-giving list. Bring your art purchases […]
“The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery.” ~Francis Bacon (better known as the father of empiricism and for developing the scientific method)
November-December 2019 Exhibition, Holiday Treasures—Our annual holiday shopping show is here! When you head out to buy gifts for the special people in your life, stop by Art Presence first […]
The “October Imaginarium” art show at Art Presence Art Center is celebrating its 6th year! This has become one of the gallery’s most popular exhibits, with a new theme each year. This year’s theme is Mischief & Magic. Inspired by Halloween and the return of autumn, artists create whimsical, thought-provoking, out-of-the-mainstream art that conjures up […]
“Art does not reproduce what we see, art makes us see.” ~ Paul Klee
Our new member show, “Colors of Autumn,“ opens Friday, September 6 and remains on display until Sunday, September 29. We are delighted to feature the talented Lane Hall, our guest artist for September, in a show of […]
Jacksonville is proud to present its ArtWalk on the Second Saturday of each month through October. Art changes everything, improving creativity, critical thinking, communication and academic performance.
Participating venues will treat you to unique pieces that will amaze and delight you, and there will be wine and music. This is such a great way to […]
Celestial Journeys, our show of art in a cosmic theme by Art Presence member artists, opens in the main gallery on Friday, July 5. Our guest exhibit for July is Jacksonville City Council member Ken Gregg, who shows images from his newly published small coffee table book, “A Year in Jacksonville, A Story in Photographs.”
ArtWalk is BACK-—The NEW Second Saturday Jacksonville ArtWalk starts on June 8, from 5:00-7:00pm! Our survey of downtown business owners came back with an overwhelmingly positive response to the return of the artwalk. Therefore we are moving forward with a second Saturday artwalk each month, with music, wine tasting, and art demonstrations throughout the downtown area. Just look […]
An Art Walk Ahead?—Art Presence Art Center, Miner’s Bazaar, and more are working toward an Art Amble revival! We still have details to work out, but most California Street business owners are on board. We expect the new Jacksonville art walk to take place from 5:00-7:00pm on the second Saturday of each month.
Up and Away!—Our March-April show of uplifting art and guest exhibit of paintings by Zoe West continues through Sunday, April 28.
April is National Poetry month!—People had such fun last time that Art Presence unleashes Poets on the Loose for a second year. On Saturday, April 13, you can expect to find poets and poetry enthusiasts […]
“There is a notion that artists are born with the ability to draw. No one arrives in this world with that gift! Drawing is a skill that must be learned. It is not hard, but requires mental discipline.
“Drawing will develop a cooperative process between your mind and your eyes. The mind must relinquish the role […]
A belated Happy New Year from all the members of Art Presence Art Center. 2018 was an amazing year and 2019 looks even better, allowing us to make ART a more dynamic and visible PRESENCE in historic Jacksonville. In the front area of our gallery, we now have the Galleria, where we showcase handmade works […]
Here is the dark tree
Denuded now of leaves
But a million stars
~Anne Brooke
December 2018 Exhibitions
Holiday Treasures—Our annual holiday shopping show continues every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through December 30! Stop by the gallery on your way out and consider an inspiring gift of art. Come back on your way home to pick up […]
November 2018 Exhibition: Holiday Treasures—Our annual holiday shopping show returns! When you head out to buy gifts for the special ones in your life, stop in the gallery first to consider a gift of art. Then come by on your way home to find an inspiring gift for those hard-to-shop-for loved ones. Unlike most shows, […]
October Imaginarium: Bewitched & Beguiled—After a smoky, searing summer, Fall is finally here and the October Imaginarium is back, too! We called to regional artists for art in a “Bewitched & Beguiled” theme and we’re thrilled with the works they have submitted so far! The show opens Friday, October 5 and continues every Friday, Saturday […]
September 2018 Exhibitions
Jacksonville: People, Places and Things—The member artists of Art Presence Art Center are back after a long hiatus during which local plein air works reveled in the gallery’s spotlight. This month’s display of member artworks focuses on a Jacksonville theme and we look forward to sharing with you their many appealing renditions of […]
There are moments in our lives, there are moments in a day, when we seem to see beyond
the usual. Such are the moments of our greatest happiness. Such are the moments
of our greatest wisdom. If one could recall his vision by some sign…
It was in this hope that the arts were invented. […]
ART PRESENCE IS ON HIATUS THROUGH THE END OF AUGUST 2018
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”
~ Thomas Merton
“You use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul.”
~ George Bernard Shaw
Southern Oregon Plein Air 2018-—We hope you were able to […]
The surface of a print can never match the luscious textural variations of a painting. Whether created on canvas, wood, or mottled watercolor paper, original paintings have a touchable quality that sets them apart.
When you choose an original piece of artwork and bring it into your personal space, it becomes a focal point. Whether your […]
An art lover will often say to an artist, “If you ever make a print of that painting, I would love to buy it.” Not encouraging words for one who earns their living by creating original works…
The definition of art is “that which evokes an emotion,” and painters do not take this lightly, generously pouring […]
The artist membership of Art Presence Art Center is now 28 strong. We value them highly for the wonderful diversity of style, variety of technique in their respective mediums, and the unique and individual approach to creating art each artist brings to the gallery and our community.
The Poet’s Palette Continues… Art Presence invites you to […]