Wednesday, January 27, at 4:00 pm, nine junior and senior level students from Newport High School After School Art program with teachers Casey McEneny and Teresa Atwill, International Exchange Student Program, viewed “ESTUARY”, a series of 23 small oil studies created by artist Michael Gibbons for a commissioned painting in the Permanent Art Collection of Mahonia Hall, the Oregon Governor’s official residence in Salem. This solo show was recently shown in the National Arts Club in New York City where many first time viewers saw the landscape of the Yaquina River Watershed of Lincoln County. Gibbons has had “ESTUARY” under wraps in his studio since 1998 when he completed the commissioned painting entitled “ARNOLD CREEK ESTUARY”.

Students engaged in conversation with Gibbons, McEneny, and Atwill about the series and several points of reference were made to the execution of the paintings in the local area. Style and presentation were explored and considered. Gibbons spoke of his love for the land and his expression of this in his paintings.
Gibbons has made “ESTUARY” available as a traveling exhibition for the museum and explains that none of these paintings are for sale as he believes their value as a teaching tool is non-commercial. He personally built and finished all of the frames for this particular exhibit with a design made to withstand the rigors of travel. Local Toledo craftsman Gary Dorris was contracted to build crates for the exhibit which he did after research on the internet for the specifics required for museum shows.
Students enjoyed refreshments of homemade cookies and punch before returning to Newport High School. Gibbons was invited to join them at a later date for an informal art critique of their work. For more information call (541)336-2797