EAA show offers many points of view

All artists have point of view. Whether expressed with paint, in collage or with the use of clay, this perspective is the unique way in which each artist sees the world through her creative mind’s eye. For this reason, the upcoming Evergreen Artists Association fall show opening on Oct. 30 is aptly named “Points of View.”

“Early Aspens,” an oil painting by Evergreen artist Cliff Austin, will appear in the upcoming Evergreen Artists Association show “Points of View.”

“We used this theme for our show last year, and it’s a title that we’d like to stick with in the future,” says Doni Silverstone, co-chair of the committee for EAA shows. “The EAA fall show, specifically, is a reflection of the incredibly wide range of artistic expression that our membership has. We have professional artists, students, self-taught artists, all learning from each other in one organization.”

The fall show is distinctive to the Evergreen Artists Association in that it is open only to EAA members. With 115 members in the organization, this doesn’t mean that every square inch of gallery space will be covered. The show is juried by a committee, which means that members are required to submit work for consideration.

“Most juried shows, given the geographic nature of submittals, require that the jury look at slides or digital images for consideration. Because our membership is primarily focused in Evergreen, Conifer, Pine and Bailey, many of our artists actually bring their work to the art center in the hopes that it will be included in the show,” says Silverstone.

The final number of works included typically ranges from 45 to 65 pieces of art. This includes work created with acrylic, oil, mixed media and photography. The committee has also seen an increase in three-dimensional submittals this year.

“Some years we see the trend toward more two-dimensional works, but it seems that in 2009 many of our artists have been working in glass, fiber, clay, sculpture and other three-dimensional media,” says Silverstone.

The Evergreen Artists Association has been in existence for almost 50 years. Its humble beginnings stemmed from several artists who were seeking a forum for creative education and the camaraderie of a local artists group. Artistic creation can be a rather solitary endeavor, and EAA’s members discovered that sharing their work with like-minded individuals as well as exchanging ideas and techniques can be creatively beneficial.

“Everything that EAA does, we try to make it about the community,” says Silverstone. “Our members teach classes throughout Evergreen. We host the Fine Arts Festival every year at the Grove at Hiwan. Each spring, we also give art scholarships to deserving high school students in the community to encourage them to pursue their artistic goals. We’re really about enriching the artistic lives of our members and nurturing the next generation of artists, too.”

“Points of View” is not only EAA’s way of nurturing its own members, but another type of community artist as well. The planning committee has invited a string quartet from Conifer High School to play during the show’s opening reception. The opening reception coincides with October’s Last Friday gallery walk. Light refreshments will also be provided.

Sara Miller, a freelance writer and a resident of Evergreen, lives with her husband, two children and a dog.

“Points of View”

Autumn members-only show for the Evergreen Artists Association

Oct. 30 through Nov. 20 at the Center for the Arts Evergreen, 32003 Ellingwood Trail.

The festive opening reception will be held on Oct. 30 from 5 to 8 p.m.