Artwork from members of the Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) is featured in the Florence Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Center art gallery, 290 Highway 101, throughout August.
“We love the diversity of art provided this month by the Florence Regional Arts Alliance,” says Chamber president/CEO Bettina Hannigan. “FRAA has become such an essential and dynamic part of the region’s artist’s community and their efforts to advance tourism through the promotion of the arts is a tremendous compliment to the Chamber’s work in the region.”
FRAA chose the theme of “Waters of Oregon” for their exhibit, with artwork reflective of Florence’s, and the state’s diverse aquatic scenery. Artists with work on display include, Debbie Anne, photography; Stella Ault, watercolor; Pat Briggs, watercolor; Kris DeNoyer; ceramics; RoxAnne Goodrich, oil; Alan Huck, mixed media; ELee Hadley, watercolor; Claudia Ignatieff, oil; John Leasure, oil; Teakki Legg, watercolor; Carol Lorraine, painting on silk; Donna Mlinek, felted wool; Brigitte Parker, oil; Robin Siewell, watercolor; Christine Diamond Santiago, photography; Craig Shreeve, photography; Allen Thornton, photography; Elaine Uellendahl, photography; and Jack Uellendahl, photography. All works are available for purchase.
“With this exhibit we present a wide variety of art forms which helps show the works of local artists and enhances the feeling of Summer in Florence,” said FRAA board president Kristin Anderson. “What differentiates this from other exhibits around town, or others seen at the visitor center, is that our artists are members of FRAA because they believe in FRAA's mission. Our goal is to help them and other artists and we give people a space to play, learn, and sell their art. That passion and commitment comes through in what we’re offering this month at the Chamber’s gallery.”
FRAA is a local member-based non-profit art organization who's key goal is to foster art in our community both by helping local artists and the community at large through classes and events. FRAA also works with our schools and assisted living homes to ensure that we foster art across the ages,” added Anderson. “We commend the Chamber for offering the many galleries and studios in Florence the opportunity to give visitors an artistic glance of all that Florence has to offer. Most of the art you see there is from local artists and everyone is so talented in Florence.”
“One thing that thrills me nearly every single day is to be in my office, just around the corner of our lobby, and hear visitors exclaim ‘Wow, that’s gorgeous! You have people in Florence who do that?”, adds Hannigan. “Locals should make the Visitors’ Center Gallery a regular stop to see some great local work each month.”
FRAA is a non-profit organization and has an art center at 120 Maple Street in Florence. The artists exhibiting at the Chamber this month represent more than 130 members and sponsors, all who share in FRAA’s mission of supporting all the arts and making Florence an arts destination.
“Members join FRAA with a wide range of interests and talents, including painting, photography, jewelry, mosaics, stained and fused glass, woodworking, writing, ocean art, knitting, textile arts, and pottery, to name a few,” explained Anderson. “They also join FRAA to support the many community events FRAA is involved in, such as literary salons, writing classes, poetry events, Second Saturday Art Tours, and special events such as the Holiday Arts Festival, two Art and Wine Festivals, and the annual Florence Rhododendron Festival. The also support art in local schools with youth scholarships.”
For more information on the Florence Regional Arts Alliance, their phone number is 541-997-4435 and their website is www.fraaoregon.org
The Chamber’s visitor center is at 290 Highway 101 in Florence. Hours are Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays through August from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information about joining or volunteering with the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce, visit FlorenceChamber.com or contact Hannigan at 541-997-3128 or Bettina@FlorenceChamber.com.
