Art/Craft Show

Composed of only a few physical elements, the installation will explore the increasingly blurred lines between craft and trade, industry and art. Focusing on experimentation and process, Dyne promises to bend, and even shatter, her glass panes during the course of the installation - as well as viewers' conceptions of the craft museum experience. The exhibition will also draw attention to the raw materiality of glass and its role in the public's everyday lives.

The installation explores the physical and material properties of glass in one of its most common forms: the window pane. The exhibition will display one large sheet of industrially-produced skyscraper glass and two wall-sized photographs of the warehouse in which the panes are produced. The pane, mounted on a wall, will slowly bend under its own weight, changing the light's reflection over time. The panes are typically installed in major office buildings around the world. The Museum will provide a complimentary brochure for the exhibition featuring essays by Kathy High, Robert Slifkin and Namita Gupta Wiggers. Please see the Museum website for more information.

Over 1200 quilts from around the world will cover our 1880's-style town in rich texture and color. There are also classes, artist's receptions, a kids' activity area, and more. See the event website for more details.

Attended last summer by 8,000 art lovers, Craft PDX is Museum of Contemporary Craft’s biggest event of the year. The second annual celebration honors the Museum’s first full year in its Pearl District location. Outside, this free community festival will offer community art projects, artist demonstrations, food, drink and music. Inside the Museum, a lecture and two artist talks will provide insight into the exhibitions on display.

Portland's monthly craft fair happens the second Sunday of each month. Shop for fabulous handmade goodies by local designers, and be sure to make something at the free DIY table! See the event website for more information.

Come meet lots of talented local artists and crafters, and shop for handmade goodies. While you're in the neighborhood, you can also check out the Portland Farmer's Market.

What's an Etsy? It's an online marketplace just for arts and crafts. Go lose a couple days browsing at www.etsy.com. All the vendors at this event are locally-based Etsy sellers.

Come enjoy painters, stain glass artists, jewelry art, knitted/crocheted items, collectables together with some typical "Garage Sale" items. There will also be folks selling hot dogs, hamburger, soda's, donuts and snow cones! It's a great community event open to the public.

There has been a "Last Thursday" on Alberta Street since 1997. If you've never been, it's quite the wild time during the summer months. Art on Alberta sponsors the event, which is held every month year round. The galleries, studios, restaurants and other art venues on the street open their doors for a celebratory evening of art. Generally the galleries are open between 5 to 9:30 p.m.

We publish a monthly Last Thursday walking map, which identifies the art activities, sponsored by Art on Alberta members. Visit the website to download a copy.

Thirty-one artists will have thirty-one days to create thirty-one paintings. The resulting 961 new paintings will be unveiled at the opening extravaganza on Aug. 1st. 930 small paintings (7" x 7") will be for sale for thirty-one dollars each. 31 larger paintings (20" x 20") will be silently auctioned at the opening (opening bid...thirty-one dollars).

The proceeds from "Thirty-one!" will be donated to Artists for the Arts whose mission is to ensure that the arts remain an integral part of education for children in Portland Metro-area schools. AFTA raises funding and awareness through the collaborative efforts of artists, businesses, educators, organizations and the community. See the event blog for more information.

Zimbabwe Artists Project
Olympic Mills Commerce Center
107 SE Washington Street, Suite 162
Portland, OR 97214

For Immediate Release

July 11, 2008
Kill date: August 2, 2008

Contact: Heather MacKenzie, Dick Adams, Mary Lind
(503)232-7057
coordinator@zimbabweartistsproject.org
www.zimbabweartistsproject.org

Portland, Oregon. On Friday, August 1, 2008, Zimbabwe Artists Project will host an opening for a month-long exhibit in the Olympic Mills Commerce Building, in conjunction with First Fridays in inner southeast Portland. The event will be from 5:00-9:00pm and is free and open to the public. During the event, there will be music courtesy of Wood Vibrations as well as snacks and beverages. This event is for all ages.

Overview:

Zimbabwe Artists Project has been actively exhibiting art in the Portland community for nearly a decade, so it's not surprising if the artwork is familiar to many. This August marks our first year of residence in the Olympic Mills Commerce Center. In conjunction with First Friday in inner southeast Portland, we are excited to celebrate this anniversary with an exhibit throughout the main floor gallery space of the OMCC.

This exhibit will feature artwork made in Zimbabwe by over 100 artists, the majority women, from the rural community of Weya. Accompanying their artwork will be photographs of the artists and the stories that they tell.

Through the artwork from Weya, ZAP promotes a dialogue within our own communities about Zimbabwe's history and culture, as well as about the artists' lives. The photographs of the artists and the stories that accompany each piece of art offer connections with real Zimbabwean people. Stereotypes of plighted masses give way to images of rural African women as strong, creative, and fully capable human beings.

At this exhibit, we will explore specific issues that ZAP faces in Zimbabwe: social structure and gender, HIV/AIDS and health, special needs and projects, Weya systems of values and beliefs, etc. In dialogue with art, the artists, and our own communities here in Portland, we hope to continue to foster new awareness and new ideas to promote equity, dignity and social progress.

For more information, please contact us at 503-232-7057 or visit our website at www.zimbabweartistsproject.org.

The opening reception for our Fourth National Juried Fiber Arts Show. This show includes artists working in a variety of fiber media, both 2-d and 3-d. After visiting Sixth Street, enjoy the art walk at downtown Vancouver's other art galleries.