Six LOCAL 14 Artists on Display at Lakewood Center for the Arts Entryway Gallery

Sept 10 – Oct 18, 2015: Showing in the Lakewood Center Entryway Gallery are six professional artists from the LOCAL 14. Sue Jensen – mixed media painter, Susan Frohnmayer – photographer, Debby Neely – printmaker, Lin Haak – mixed media painter, Mary Dennis – pastel painter and Jan Rimerman – mixed media painter.Each one features a unique style and specialty which they bring to the show.

LOCAL 14 was formed 49 years ago when 14 women from Lake Oswego got together to make a little money for the holidays by using their artistic talents. Their small show in a family room has grown over the years into an annual event that includes over 80 artists at the World Forestry Center that is scheduled for this year Oct.1-4. The is a First Thursday Preview Party, Oct. 1 from 6 – 9 PM, costs $10 and gives you the first glimpse and chance to purchase the art, plus wine and hors d’ oeuvres. Doors are open from 10 AM to 7 PM Friday and from 10 AM to 5 PM Saturday and Sunday.

The original group’s name remains and stands for Lake Oswego Crafts & Arts League, with “14” representing the number of original members. It sounds like a union and in a unique way, it is. The 35 current members of LOCAL 14 and 40 invited guests are bonded through their talent, friendship, networking and encouragement of one another. Ellen Currans, a potter and one of the original members, is still active in the organization and will be showing her outstanding work at the show this year (she usually sells out early in the weekend).

Sue Jensen is inspired by the abstract relationship of shapes & color to each other. Her work is found at Art On Broadway and the Ryan Gallery in Lincoln City. Currently, she can be viewed at US Bank in West Linn too. Jensen also enjoys teaching art and sharing her insights.

Susan Frohnmayer is known for her graceful composition and beautiful color combinations that turn a photograph into an art form. Watch for the sensitive value changes which dance across the subject matter. Presently, Frohnmayer’s photographs are hanging in Providence Portland and St. Vincent Medical Centers. One of the most meaningful projects Susan has done was taking family portraits at a local homeless shelter.

Debby Neely has always loved birds. As a child she aspired to become another John James Audubon. Neely’s work is exhibited throughout the Pacific Northwest, including the Vista House in Corbett, OR, Valley Art in Forest Grove, OR, Aurora Art in Vancouver, WA, the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center in Stevenson, WA and at Crow Valley Arts on Orcas Island, WA. Neely considers teaching art to college students and leading them through the drawing process one of her favorite art accomplishments.

Lin Haak’s paintings are narrative meditations and celebrations of NW life’s many offerings, and she paints daily for both sustenance and relief. Her paintings can be seen at the Portland Art Museum’s Rental Sales Gallery, Earthworks Gallery in Yachats, Gallery on the Bay in Newport, Lorang Gallery in Cascade Locks, Valley Art in Forest Grove and the RiverSea Gallery in Astoria. Haak’s original oil paintings have been included in over 300 private and corporate collections nationwide.

Mary Dennis is inspired by the Oregon landscape and trees. Her work reflects her fascination with the texture, pattern and color in textiles that grew out of her work while creating costumes for the stage. Mary’s work may be found at The Portland Art Museum Rental Sales Gallery, US Bank in West Linn and Pheasant Run Winery. Dennis’ favorite accomplishment was receiving the Gold Medal plus $1500 from a show at the Helen Addison Gallery in Cape Cod, Massachusetts in 2014.

Jan Rimerman’s inspiration comes from traveling and exploring and she tries to incorporate small glimpses of nature’s magic into her paintings. Rimerman is known for her layering technique, using 22 layers of transparent fluid acrylic over an under painting of powdered charcoal. Each piece changes as you view it from different angles and in different lights. Jan’s work can be seen in various shows around the Pacific Northwest. Look for Rimerman’s work at the Portland Art Museum Rental Sales Gallery, Coos Art Museum, Blackfish Gallery in La Conner, WA, The Sitka Invitational and at the Holiday Gallery at the 510 Museum & ARTspace.

Artwork Credits (top to bottom):

Susan Frohnmayer, “Flamingo Ballerina,” Photography
Debby Neely, “Goose Lake- II,” -Printmaking
Jan Rimerman, “Devon England,”Mixed-Media