State of the Art Presence – October 2025

PREPARE FOR A MONTH OF ENCHANTMENT and artistry at Art Presence! October brings back our beloved annual tradition, The Imaginarium, alongside a captivating lineup of hands-on workshops and more. Get ready to immerse yourself in a world where creativity knows no bounds.

The Imaginarium: A Journey into Fall and Fantasy—Mischief is afoot. During October, step into the enchanted realm of The Imaginarium, where the veil between reality and fantasy dissolves into the crisp autumn air. We have invited artists of all media from across our region to participate in this annual event at the gallery. As cold creeps in and nights grow longer, explore artworks that depict the spooky twilight world where pumpkins glow, shadows dance, and everything is not as it seems.

  • Meet the Artists: Join us for the Opening Reception on Saturday, October 4, from 1-4:00pm.
  • Don’t Miss Out! The exhibition runs from
    October 1- November 2.

Member Artist: Char Wirfs – Master of Textiles & Watercolors—This month, we’re thrilled to feature Member Artist Char Wirfs, a true artisan who skillfully creates with textiles and watercolors. A native Oregonian, Char’s artistic journey began at just 12-years-old, exploring needlepoint, oil, and watercolor techniques. Her work is a vibrant celebration of color and nature, rendered with an illustrative style. Prepare to be amazed by her unique vision!

Messy Hands: Watercolor Autumn Still Life with Patricia Avery—Embrace the colors of fall! Join our talented member and watercolorist, Patricia Avery, for an afternoon dedicated to capturing the beauty of autumn still life. With pumpkins and seasonal flowers as your muses, you’ll choose your preferred scene and learn from Patricia’s expert demonstration and inspiring examples.

  • When: October 11, 1:30-3:00pm (Upstairs Classroom)
  • Register: Secure your spot at art-presence.org/messy-hands (Education > Messy Hands)

Third Saturday: Cigar Memory Boxes with Lauren Card & Pamela Lund—This incredibly fun and imaginative workshop guides you in crafting a personalized memory box from a simple cigar box. It’s the perfect way to create a unique haven for your cherished keepsakes and trinkets. We’ll provide the boxes and essentials, but bring your most unique treasures—think game pieces, spools of thread, door pulls, and anything else that sparks joy! $15 fee.

  • When: October 18, 12:30-4:00pm (Upstairs Classroom)
  • Register: Sign up at art-presence.org/third-saturdays-at-art-presence (Education > Third Saturdays)

Book of the Month: “The Decision to Kill, Inside the Mind of Martin Mueller,” by Leslie Ghiigleiri & EA Luetkemeyer—Prepare for a gripping debut novel! Delve into the mind of Martin Mueller, a wealthy man whose life’s mission is to “reassemble the scattered shards of the shattered Over-soul of mankind.” This story will leave you pondering long after the last page.

Featured image: “Jack-o’-lantern” by Char Wirfs