Happy Holidays!! Our December hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. on Sundays. 

Featured Artists

Our featured artists for the month of December are John Mikkelson and Marjorie Kinch. Their show runs from November 26th through December 28th, 2024 with a reception on Friday, Dec 6th from 6:00—8:00 PM. 

More about John’s work:

“It’s time for some brightness. That’s the mindset I take each time our grey Pacific Northwest winters set in. I’ve long enjoyed playing off the contrasts between various wood species to create boldness and drama in my work. And there are many uniquely beautiful woods out there that can provide distinct looks – think the creamy tones of Maple with the chocolate brown of Walnut as they work together, each in their natural state, to create a striking chess board. But, with a few notable exceptions, the raw materials that we woodworkers have to choose from all tend to lie on a brown-ish spectrum. Want to feature some bright green or blue in your woodwork? Well, that takes a different approach entirely. 

Here’s where I meld age-old techniques with modern chemistry to create opportunities for brightness in my work. I’ve leaned carefully into incorporating epoxy resin and vibrant wood dies into my work, creating pieces that end up being more than the sum of their parts. It’s certainly easy enough to paint a wood creation with any color under the sun, but I’ve never been one to cover wood’s natural characteristics that way. Dyes, however, add vibrant color while retaining the sense of movement that figured wood grain offers, and this is where I’ve really been having some fun lately!

The use of epoxy resin, both to fill space and to add color, has also really skyrocketed in some sectors of the woodworking world. By now most of us have seen epoxy “river” tables executed with various levels of artistry and imagination. Being a member of this gallery alongside 20 other extremely talented artists, I feel an obligation to pay particular attention to the levels of artistry and imagination that go into what I offer here. A conversation with a fellow artist sparked some of my most recent work, translating the “river” technique into framed, wall-hanging pieces that evoke the feeling of flying over riparian or island landscapes. 

Where next? Well, my notebook of ideas grows each day, with both boldly colored designs and plenty of traditional (i.e., brown-ish) wood creations awaiting their turn at my workbench. The challenge and delight in translating beautiful (or diamond-in-the-rough) pieces of our local hardwoods into works that are uniquely, enduringly appealing is what drives me to my shop each day – especially the grey, rainy ones!”

More about Marjorie’s work:

Known for her energetic use of color, Marjorie brings warmth and joy to her watercolor paintings, a theme that resonates particularly well in the darker winter months. With a palette that seems to burst with life, Marjorie’s art invites viewers to experience an uplift in spirit while viewing the beauty found in the Northwest.

Marjorie grew up amongst a fir tree forest with a raging river heard loud and clear from the house. She wandered the area both on foot and places where her horse could take her. Whether outdoors in the woods or indoors painting in her studio, Marjorie keeps complementary and harmonious colors at the center of her paintings, layering them to achieve bright and glowing transparent watercolors. 

She views art as both a personal escape and a powerful way to help others find comfort and happiness. Over the years, Marjorie has been commissioned by individuals looking to capture meaningful moments and memories—paintings to honor loved ones, a colorful rendition of a wedding bouquet, something to cheer them while ill, or paintings of local Willamette Valley landscapes that help people feel close to home. 

For this exhibit, Marjorie is featuring paintings of animals. Working to achieve the best presentation of how to capture the soul of the animal has been the latest challenge Marjorie has attempted. Her connection with animals, from her rescued dog to the colorful cat of a friend, and birds who pass through the area, will show up in these new works. Marjorie’s show promises to be a visual celebration of her gift to the world, and she hopes her work brings as much joy to others as it does to her.

Melissa Saylor will have a selection of her colorful and whimsical artwork on display for the month of December at Sybaris.

An eclectic Pacific Northwest Bistro, Sybaris is dedicated to bringing the best of Oregon to the table. Located at 442 W 1st Ave in downtown Albany, across from the historic Carousel. 
(541) 928-8157 for reservations (recommended)

2025 Big Show of Little Art

We’re excited to announce our 7th Annual “Big Show of Little Art” coming in February, 2025! Click here for more information and downloadable forms.

Galleries from Salem to Eugene

Take a look at the Art Map of galleries in the Mid-Willamette Valley along the I-5 corridor. You can get a great new paper version of the map at Gallery Calapooia.

Gallery Calapooia Inc. receives support from the Oregon Arts Commission,
a state agency funded by the State of Oregon and the National Endowment for the Arts.