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 time a recent transplant from the Bay Area—has about 60 members, who present their works in a highly-anticipated annual show on the Shakespeare Festival grounds. Their 41st show takes place this coming November on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday following Thanksgiving. Guild members also present woodcrafting workshops—learn more at their website, uwoodcraftguild.org.

Siskiyou Woodcraft Guild members include John Harden, Devin Klarer, Jens Sehm, and Russell Beebe. John began working with wood as a child and studied woodcrafting in middle and high school. He moonlighted making small furniture projects alongside his construction day job, and has created one-of-a-kind handcrafted furniture and woodturning full time since 2015. Devin creates precise geometric patterns and optical illusions with wood to make wall hangings, cutting boards, small tables and more. Jens, a native of East Germany, left before the fall of the Berlin Wall and came to the US in 1989. After earning his degree in Construction Management from Cal Poly and working in that field for four years, he decided to focus on woodwork full time. He now works from his shop in Ashland. Russell trained in Chinese furniture building with master Jeng Yee in Bangkok, Thailand. His work includes building fine furniture, repairs and restoration, and teaching wood carving. He’s also created several large wood sculptures installed in Ashland and at Southern Oregon University.

Meet the artists and fine woodcrafters participating in our March shows at a reception on Saturday, March 7, from 1:00-3:00pm.

Art Presence Art Center displays fine art and art objects at the Jacksonville Public Library throughout the month of March.

On Friday, March 13, at 5:00pm, author Anna Elkins reads from her newest book, Living Large on Little in our upstairs classroom. Join Anna for refreshments and discussion.

On Saturday, March 14, at 1:00pm, Charlotte Wirfs demonstrates sewing shamrock designs with embroidery threads on card stock. This eye-catching technique can be used for greeting cards, small art pieces, gift tags and scrapbooking. Charlotte will have finished pieces on display aa well as a supply list and how-to handout.

We are coordinating Jacksonville businesses and artists for the 2020 ArtWalk. Stay tuned for more info!

Please look forward to our first Wine and Watercolor with Anne Brooke, coming in April. More information coming soon.