Michael Gibbons, founder, and Don Weller, chairman of the board of trustees spoke about the museum at the February 19 meeting of the Civic Club, the oldest continual organization of its kind in Toledo, at the Toledo Public Library. At the meeting, Brenda Mullinack, Toledo resident, made a presentation to the museum in memory of her sister, Sondra Humphries, a long time Toledo resident, of a painting in pastel of the “School House” by Jacqueline Hewitt, Toledo artist known for her street scenes.
The painting was gratefully accepted and will be displayed in the Permanent Collection of the Museum.

The Yaquina River Museum of Art (YRMA) exhibit and office, “The School House”, 151 NE Alder St. For more information call (541)336-1907, e-mail yrartmuseum@charter.net or visit www.michaelgibbons.net and click on museum.

To “Know Your Museum”, visit the School House Fridays from noon to 4 pm for a tour and information about the historic facility located in a building originally used for a mill worker’s house in the 1890’s during Toledo’s early formation. Films on the Florence Griswold Museum; Andrew Wyeth; and Claude Monet will be shown throughout the day. The museum is open other days by request or appointment

The Yaquina River Museum of Art was formed as a non-profit organization in 2003 when Michael and Judy Gibbons, dedicated to leaving a legacy of art made by artists of this area to the community, gathered a like-minded group of people together to mobilize the idea. Robert Smith, first chairman of the board of trustees envisioned and led the museum to include the entire area from Toledo to the mouth of the Yaquina Bay as part of the museum campus and with the help of the Gibbons made the entire complex of five buildings integral to the eventual expansion of the museum facilities. A small Gift Shop offers “gently used” art books for sale, Oregon Museum Association T-shirts and Memorial Bricks from the “Cut in Stone” project. Plans are afoot to expand this facility. The museum participates in the Summer Festival Parade, Toledo Antiques Day, Art Walk and Home Town Holiday. A new member of the Toledo Chamber of Commerce, the museum recently hosted a very successful Toledo Chamber After Hours at the School House.

Since inception, the Museum has upheld its mission statement by reaching out to the community with sponsorship of art teachers in local schools and regular exhibits of local artists work. A Student Show is scheduled the end of the school year at the School House from the present art class at the Abundant Life Academy, Toledo. The Vicarage, located at 140 NE Alder Street and directly across from the museum