Opening Doors, Opens Conversations
This year’s event was especially rewarding as we welcomed over 200 visitors from near and far through our doors and shared the studio with guest invitational pop-up artists Anna Daedalus and Kerry Davis, alongside resident artists Elise Wagner and Gabe Fernandez. Four distinct artistic voices came together under one roof, creating a rich and inspiring experience for everyone who visited. Willo was also the perfect greeter to all.
Open Studios reminds us that creating art is about more than working in solitude to create finished objects on a wall. It is about connection and community. It is about opening our doors, inviting new energy in, sharing ideas, building relationships, and creating spaces where curiosity is welcomed and creativity thrives.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who visited, signed up for our newsletter, asked thoughtful questions, and supported local artists throughout the weekend. Our sincere thanks also go to Astoria Open Studios Tour and Astoria Visual Arts for organizing an event that celebrates creativity and strengthens the vibrant arts community that makes Astoria such a remarkable place to live and work.
One of the greatest joys of Pier 11 Studio is watching it transform during Astoria Open Studios. For one weekend, the working studios of artists in all parts of town become a place where the community is invited to gather, discover new work, ask questions, and celebrate the creative culture that makes our community so special. This year, there were over 50 participating artists, that’s a lot for a small town with a population of 10,000 people.
Anna Daedalus and Kerry Davis
Throughout the weekend, conversations flowed as freely as the Columbia River that we hover over. Visitors explored paintings, printmaking, encaustic, assemblege, and photography work along with works in progress for upcoming shows, gaining a glimpse into the many paths that lead to finished artwork. Some guests were longtime collectors and returning friends, while others were discovering Pier 11 Studio for the very first time.
Until then, the studio returns to its quieter rhythm for the final stretch. Fueled by the energird and encouragement our visitors who came through the door. We’re back to making, refining, framing, and preparing for our September solo exhibitions—Elise Wagner’s Finding Buoyancy at Imogen Gallery in Astoria and Gabe Fernandez’s exhibition at Russo Lee Gallery in Portland.
The dance of making is in full fruition. The art process begins first with setting the stage, then inviting your cast of concepts, scales and elements, then choreographing them through your imagination and experimentation and then, finally with this foundation, the dance begins and the art is realized. Sounds kind of esoteric, but we really think this to be true! The conversations had, have settled into a quiet focus to return to the studio for the dog days of Summer. The river continues to flow, the buoy ever constant from our windows, and the next exciting chapter is already underway.
Thanks for reading!
The Pier 11 Team.
Elise, Gabe, Anna and Dave
Thanks to the many of you who signed up to receive our emails!
Be sure to join us for Artwalk on Saturday, August 8, for our GO Gallery Pop-Up, featuring an exceptional collection of prints by ten outstanding Pacific Northwest printmakers during Astoria ArtWalk. This event also takes place during the Astoria Regatta Festival. If you come, you get a front row seat to both the boat races and the Regatta Boat Parade!!
If you missed Open Studios, there are several more opportunities immediately ahead. We continue to host workshops, exhibitions, and special events throughout the year, and we look forward to welcoming you back soon. Our last class offerings of the year in Cold Wax, Linocut and Wax Collagraph printmaking are already filling up and Art Movie Night starts back up again the first Friday in October. Stay in touch!
