Stuhr Center taps into talented artists’ colony
The idea of being a working artist appeals to 74-year-old Norma Rottman, though making a sale is not what drives her.
“This is my major hobby,” she says. “The Stuhr Center is really the only place where I get to do it.”
Rottman is one of several student artists who will display original work at the Stuhr Center’s second annual Artisan Fine Arts Sale on Nov. 13-14, from 10 am to 4 pm. She painted extra watercolors this year expressly for the event, which drew more than 300 guests last year.
“Several of our students transformed from art students to professional artists that day,” said Gail DuBois, the event’s organizer. “It was wonderful to see their talent honored by the community.”
The second annual sale is expected to feature more than 300 pieces of original artwork from Stuhr Center students in several mediums, including pastels, watercolors, photography, jewelry, fused and stained glass.
Prices range from $5 to $300. Ten percent of sale proceeds benefit Stuhr Center programming; artists keep the remainder.
“The students that participated last year have been planning for the sale all year,” Dubois said, “and several more have shown interest now that they know what the sale is all about.”
Jim McEnroe is a former truck driver who turned to painting and sculpting after he was injured on the job. McEnroe, whose works are priced from $200-300, says that art “feeds his inner self.”
He said his pieces are now being displayed in other venues, like the Village Gallery of Art.
“I’m starting to get recognized,” he said.
An artists’ reception, 2-3:30 pm on Friday, Nov. 13, will provide an opportunity for McEnroe, Rottman and the other featured artists to mingle with visitors over wine and cheese.
The Beaverton Arts Commission has donated display grids, and is helping to support the sale.
“It’s a great event for the patrons of the Stuhr Center and the community at large,” DuBois said.