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. 
The Poet’s Palette—Art Presence Art Center is delighted with the works of art that have been submitted for our March-April 2018 exhibition, “The Poet’s Palette,” and we’re sure you will be, too! The show opens Friday, March 2, with a reception on Saturday, March 3 from 1:00-3:00pm, running through Sunday, April 29.
Art Gala Featuring Delores […]
Naked Art—No Mats, No Frames, Big Savings!-—Our fourth annual Naked Art show exhibit continues this month, featuring unmounted, unframed works of fine art at prices that would entice any art lover to become a collector. Take your art finds home when you purchase them. The bonus: you can use the money you’ve saved to frame […]
Grand Re-Opening!—Art Presence Art Center announces its Grand Re-Opening in December. A big thank you goes to the volunteers who helped us prepare the walls: Tony Laenen, Ginna Gordon, Debbie Earley and John Sack. Dan Hawkins—with help from Jim Earley—who prepared the walls for the sheetrock, and the subcontractors, Rob Childs, Jack Baumgarten and Tim […]
Art Presence is Renovating!—After a lot of hard work and preparation, founder Anne Brooke and Board member Arlis Duncan submitted applications for two grants, the Transient Lodging Tax Grant from the City of Jacksonville and the Haines and Friends Fund from the Haines Foundation, to support much-needed renovations to our building. Together we waited for […]
The October Imaginarium: Hats & Masks—Every year, Art Presence Art Center sends out a call to artists, challenging them to create their most imaginative work in a theme that changes annually. This year is our fifth annual Challenge, and the theme of Hats & Masks yielded many wonderfully creative pieces of art in a wide […]
Harvest-—Harvest, a one-month Art Presence member show, opens on Friday, September 1. Don’t miss our special display of abstract watercolor, acrylic and collage paintings by Dolores Ribal on the gallery’s back wall. The reception is Saturday, September 2, from 1:00-3:00pm, featuring author readings by Jacksonville wordsmiths Ginna and David Gordon. Ginna’s new novel, “Deke Interrupted,” […]
Dropping in to the cool, comfortable gallery at Art Presence Art Center will provide you with the gift of new artistic dimensions, stress reduction, and possibly a treasure to add to your collection! Stop by to view the art currently on exhibit any Friday, Saturday, or Sunday from 11:00am-5:00pm.
Artists Workshop Annual Show & Sale—The Southern […]
The creation of new objects, either real or abstract, the changing of matter such as clay, fabric or glass into something different, the association of images that reminds us of another place or time…these are talents that provide artists with a special connection to other human beings, a way […]
Summer, At Last!-—This winter has seemed especially long with all the rain that’s come down. Now that we’re all getting outside again, why not come to Art Presence Art Center’s gallery to view and consider a variety of lovely summer-themed artworks created by Art Presence member artists? The show opens on Friday, June 2 and […]
ART’clectic “Garden Party” Group Exhibition—ART’clectic takes over the gallery at Art Presence with a “Garden Party” show for May! The group offers original pieces created by sixteen of the group’s artist and artisan members, an eclectic mix of framed fine art, giclée prints, home and garden decor items and furniture, photography, pine needle baskets, textile […]
“The most precious factor in the creative life of an artist in any medium is freedom. Totalitarian, political and national leaders who seek to control or deprive the artist can strangle their work and cripple a culture. Throughout history, artists have used their creativity in times of social and political upheaval to provide a balance […]
“What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject-matter, an art which might be for every mentality, every worker, be he business man or writer, like an appeasing influence, like a mental soother, something like a good armchair in which to rest from physical fatigue.” […]
Happy New Year!
Well, last month’s record-breaking winter storm Helena sure did put a stick in the spokes of our January reception! We hope you and everyone you love made it through the storm safely, and that you were able to attend our informal reception the following weekend.
Naked Art 2017: No Mats ~ No Frames ~ […]
Small Treasures-—Small Treasures continues through December 24. Give fine art for the holidays! As with previous Small Treasures shows, you can take your purchases with you to wrap and give. Artists continue restocking their offerings throughout the show, so come by the gallery when you’re shopping for gifts and see what’s new! In more exciting […]
Four years ago, Mary Kell started the GoodBean’s tradition of an Angel Art Show in December, using the walls of the coffee house to display uplifting art.
Mary says angels have always played an important role in her life and has her own angel stories to share. For example, some years ago, her guardian angel awoke […]
Small Treasures—As each year begins to draw to a close, Art Presence Art Center asks our members to bring their small works to the gallery for our two-month holiday gift-giving show, Small Treasures. These works are locally-created, portable and affordable, making excellent gift choices for those who appreciate art and creativity…and for those who might […]
Gallerie Carnevale: A Halloween Show of Spellbinding Art—Art Presence opens the gallery to all Rogue Valley artists once again, with a fantastic exhibition of art submitted in response to our fourth-annual “October Creative Challenge.” This year’s Challenge was to create artwork with a “Gallerie Carnevale” theme, celebrating the spirit of carnival or circus with a […]
Out of the Mouths of Babes—“Okay, let me get this straight. The arts are part of the humanities which encourage us to develop our potential as humans throughout a variety of disciplines designed (among other things) to awaken our empathy, encourage individual expression and appreciation of diversity. They also alert us to our connection with […]
As school year draws near, we turn our attention to the benefits of art in education. A fresh search immediately brought a New York Times article, prepared by Park West Gallery, before us. Here are a few highlights:
“Dr. Eugene Beresin, M.D., M.A., professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and executive director at The Clay […]
After the recent passing of our dear friend and artist member, photographer Ron Moore, Ron’s wife, Dee, generously donated a number of items to benefit Art Presence Art Center. Included are a collection of Ron’s photography in a variety of sizes, beautiful photography books, bins, a high director’s chair, and much more. We will begin […]
“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” ~Aristotle
From Paleolithic cave paintings onward, making art has been universally important to human beings. We find evidence of art in every culture everywhere, at every point in time. If, as anthropologist Ellen Dissanayake suggests, we “step outside our […]
ART’clectic Artisans Market—ART’clectic Artisans Market will be holding their spring pop-up event at Art Presence Art Center this month. The garden-themed show opens Thursday, May 5 and closes Sunday, May 29. The artisan’s market exhibit will be open every Thursday through Sunday from 11:00am to 5:00pm.
Sixteen local artists and artisans will display framed art, photography, […]
STEAM-ing Ahead for the Arts!—After 14 years of declining funds and increasing exclusion from schools, the arts were re-added to the core curriculum with the passing of the “Every Student Succeeds Act” late last December, turning STEM to STEAM! Once resources from the State of Oregon and funds from Title I and the “Assistance for […]
Support the Arts ~ Support Your Community!—The arts are fundamental to our humanity. They ennoble and inspire us, fostering creativity, goodness, and beauty. The arts help us express our values, build bridges between cultures, and bring us together regardless of ethnicity, religion, or age.
University of Pennsylvania researchers have demonstrated that a high concentration of the […]
Naked Art: No Mats ~ No Frames ~ Great Deals—Our Naked Art exhibit continues through February 28. This is a great opportunity to collect art from your favorite artists. Unmatted, unframed, and offered at a great savings, all artwork is available to take home upon purchase. A retrospective of the unframed works of Elaine Witteveen […]
Small Treasures is back! Showcasing small works of fine art created by local talent and priced for gift-giving, this show is your opportunity to shop for one-of-a-kind artistic treasures to give to the art lovers on your list. Artwork purchases from this exhibition can be taken home […]
Finding Meaning in Life through Art—Have you ever wondered what the purpose of your life is? How to make sense of the seemingly random things that happen? Questions like these can keep us up late and make us feel unsettled as we move through our daily routines. Bizarre events can throw us out of balance, […]
Join Art Presence for a special Halloween reception on Saturday, October 31, 2015 from noon–3pm. Meet Pioneer Spirits, here from beyond the grave to share their stories, as four groups of Players from this year’s Meet the Pioneers perform from 2–3pm!
The Power of Art: Recovering from Trauma—We think of art as a peaceful occupation, but its power to heal a traumatized mind is revealed in the wake of war. The U.N. estimates 95,000 children have sought refuge in Lebanon, having fled to escape the ongoing tragedy in Syria. Traumatized by the conflict, they suffer insomnia […]
Have you noticed an uptick in our local art scene? From formal galleries to coffee shop displays and more, art is everywhere in Jacksonville.
CAMMY DAVIS—Artist and art advocate Cammy Davis, creator of the Jacksonville Review town map, is one of the artists in the community helping make the arts scene more vibrant. Cammy, a Jacksonville […]
Prints vs. Originals—The question of whether to buy original art work or giclées (prints made with inks that won’t fade for 100 years, usually on acid-free paper) for your home is one worth considering. The debate usually centers on the higher cost of original art. Art Presence founder Anne Brooke’s opinion is that buying original […]
Express Yourself!—Creative self-expression is a part of life most of us treasure, whether it’s drawing, cooking, or gardening, or attending dance classes, plays or concerts. Most people enjoy doing creative things because it provides opportunities to connect with friends and family, meet new people, and broaden one’s horizons. Those challenged to find time to express […]
Art Helps Children Learn and Their Brains Develop–—Art has been associated with expanding the intellect since the time of Plato, but the benefits of art on the brain can now be measured scientifically. Recent studies show that practicing executive function activities like drawing significantly improves core skills like reasoning and teamwork in children ages 3–5. […]
Art Brings Hope—Studies show art therapy helps give back to Alzheimer’s patients what the disease has taken away. Creating and appreciating art stimulates the senses, creates new pathways to “lost” memories, and encourages conversation. Alzheimer’s patients, even if nonverbal, can use it as a form of expression, restoring communication with relatives already mourning the “loss” […]
Americans for the Arts (www.americansforthearts.org) Ten Reasons to Support the Arts Reason #1: “Arts promote true prosperity. The arts are fundamental to our humanity. They ennoble and inspire us—fostering creativity, goodness, and beauty. The arts help us express our values, build bridges between cultures, and bring us together regardless of ethnicity, […]
Americans for the Arts (www.americansforthearts.org) Ten Reasons to Support the Arts Reason #2: “Arts improve academic performance. Students with an education rich in the arts have higher GPAs and standardized test scores, and lower dropout rates—benefits reaped by students regardless of socioeconomic status. Students with 4 years of arts or music […]
Americans for the Arts (www.americansforthearts.org) Ten Reasons to Support the Arts Reason #3: “Arts strengthen the economy. In 2014, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that the arts and culture sector represents 3.25% of the nation’s GDP—a larger share of the […]
Americans for the Arts (www.americansforthearts.org) Ten Reasons to Support the Arts Reason #4: “Arts are good for local merchants. Attendees at nonprofit arts events spend an average of $24.60 per person per event—beyond the cost of admission—on items such as meals, parking, […]
Americans for the Arts (www.americansforthearts.org) Ten Reasons to Support the Arts, Reason #5: “Arts drive tourism. Arts travelers are ideal tourists, staying longer and spending more to seek-out authentic cultural experiences. The U.S. Department of Commerce reports that the percentage of international travelers, including museum […]
Americans for the Arts (www.americansforthearts.org) Ten Reasons to Support the Arts, Reason #6: “Arts are an export industry: U.S. exports of arts goods (e.g., movies, paintings, jewelry) grew to $72 billion in 2011, while imports were just $25 billion—a $47 billion arts trade surplus.”
Americans for the Arts (www.americansforthearts.org) Ten Reasons to Support the Arts—Reason #7: “Arts spark creativity and innovation: The Conference Board reports that creativity is among the top five applied skills sought by business leaders—with 72% saying creativity is of high importance when […]
Americans for the Arts (www.americansforthearts.org) Ten Reasons to Support the Arts Reason #8: Arts have social impact. University of Pennsylvania researchers have demonstrated that a high concentration of the arts in a city leads to higher civic engagement, more social cohesion, better overall child welfare, and lower poverty rates. A vibrant […]
Americans for the Arts (www.americansforthearts.org) compiled a compelling list of Ten Reasons to Support the Arts, backed by research studies proving that the value of art goes beyond decorating empty walls! Reason #9: “Arts improve healthcare. Nearly one-half of the nation’s healthcare […]