Pictured: Wild Rose by Richard Quigley in “Surreal Views,” on view through August 28

In This Newsletter

• From the Executive Director
• Call for Donations: Art Rescue
• In the Galleries: Through Friday, August 28th: “Surreal Views,” with Ron Conrad and Richard Quigley, and “Beyond the Everyday: Still Lifes & Symbols,” with Rachel Kalman, Robin Kerr, and Georgiana Nehl; Summer Members Gallery; Upcoming: 27th annual Mayor’s Teen Art Show and Emerald Print Exchange, opening September 11
• Call to Artists: 33rd annual Día de los Muertos Exhibit

• Art Education: Summer Camps and Labs; Weekend Workshops; Fall Class Schedule available September 1; Scholarships
• Club Mud News: 2nd annual Summer Sale a success
• Whiteaker Printmakers: Stamp Social; Mini Monotype Social; Emerald Print Exchange
• Eugene Darkroom Group: Community Chest Exhibit 2026
• An Easy Way to Give

It has been a busy summer at the Art Center! August brings two new exciting exhibits and more fun art camps and labs.

We have passed the halfway point in our youth summer art camps and middle school art labs. This month we will be offering “Nature Explorers,” “Discover the Masters,” and the always popular “Movie Making” youth art camps, as well as a middle school art lab in “Screen Printing.” I want to say a BIG thank you to Steve, Ella, and our amazing team of summer teaching artists and volunteers for their incredible work and dedication.

Be sure to stop by to see our new exhibits “Beyond the Everyday: Still Lifes & Symbols,” featuring work from Portland artists Rachel Kalman, Robin Kerr, and Georgiana Nehl, and “Surreal Views,” showcasing work from Salem artist Ron Conrad and Eugene artist Richard Quigley. Our galleries are always free and open to the public, so invite a friend! While you are here, check out the new works and gift items on display in our Members Gallery and Gift Shop.

Wishing you a happy and fun rest of your summer!

Please bring donations to the Art Center office. We accept all donations except for unprotected pastels or charcoal drawings which require special handling. Please call ahead before donating very large or bulky objects: 541-345-1571.

Office business hours: Monday – Friday, 10 am – 5:30 pm, and Saturdays 12 – 4 pm, when exhibits are on display. 

Two Shows on View through August 28:

Surreal Views: Richard Quigley and Ron Conrad exhibit work rich in surrealistic images that transcends the ordinary in search of human connection. Richard Quigley has cultivated his style of visionary painting for the last forty plus years. Characterized by vibrant color, his paintings can be described as surreal narratives that point beyond everyday existence, reflecting a constantly altered universe. Ron Conrad shows both acrylic paintings and sculptures in “Surreal Views.” His work, which is marked by humor and a sense of irony, experiments with concepts of transformation and different points of view. 

Beyond the Everyday: Still Lifes & Symbols: The three Portland artists – Rachel Kalman, Robin Kerr, and Georgiana Nehl – featured in “Beyond the Everyday” transform familiar objects and forms into contemporary still lives with rich color and unusual juxtapositions, exploring the play of symbol and metaphor.

Rachel Kalman works from observation, creating intimate portraits of inanimate objects in oil paint. She is interested in juxtaposing decorative aesthetics with difficult realities that evoke different notions of representation. 

New Zealand-born artist Robin Kerr calls herself an “accidental immigrant,” describing a state of permanent observational limbo. She creates playful images with slightly wonky vases and imaginary flowers, objects that give her a sense of comfort in an unfamiliar place.

Georgiana Nehl is fascinated by how we make sense of our world and how we construct metaphors or narratives. In her mixed media paintings and interactive sculptural pieces, she combines disparate elements beside one another to evoke memories, feelings, and new understandings.

Both exhibits are on display through Friday, August 28. The Exhibit Sponsor is Stone Works International, Inc.

Pictured: Echo and Narcissus by Rachel Kalman in “Beyond the Everyday: Still Lifes & Symbols”

Members Gallery & Gift Shop

The Summer Members Gallery & Gift Shop, which is on view through October 2, features the work of William Cedar Caredio, Joanna Carrabbio, Nard Claar, Suma Z Elan, Analee Fuentes, Kay King, Dori Koberstein, Jeanne LaRae, Jan Lintz, Patti McNutt, Laure Schipley, Sally Schwader, and Miyuki Yamazaki.

Pictured: Tide Pool #2, Smelt Sands Recreation, Yachats, Oregon, watercolor by Joanna Carrabbio in the Summer Members Gallery

Upcoming...

Two Shows Open on September 11:

The 27th Annual Mayor’s Teen Art Show: Forty-five teen artists are represented in this year’s exhibit, including students from 11 local schools as well as homeschooled students. The 2026 jurors were MKAC instructor Karleena Graham, past MTAS award winner Genevieve Fournier, and past Art Education Director Tony Hooks. 



Emerald Print Exchange: This annual show features limited edition prints from artists from around the globe. See these works in person at the Art Center, September 11 – October 2 and be sure to check out the reverse auction that takes place on the Whiteaker Printmakers website beginning September 11.

Pictured: Interrobang, colored pencil, by teen artist Kate Wellman in the “Mayor’s Teen Art Show”

Día de los Muertos Exhibit: The Maude Kerns Art Center is accepting submissions for our 33rd annual Día de los Muertos Exhibit, which takes place October 16 – November 6.

All artists, working in all mediums, are eligible for this juried call. Artists may submit 1 - 5 pieces. There is a $20 application fee. Work must be original and must focus on the Mexican Day of the Dead, which blends the ancient harvest rituals of the Aztec god of death and the Roman Catholic holidays of All Saints and All Souls Days. The celebration honors the dead and acknowledges the link between the communities of the living and the dead. Applications due by Sunday, August 9, 2026.

DIA 2026

Summer Camps and Labs

Summer Art Camps and Labs at Maude Kerns Art Center have been going amazingly! Our young artists have filled the studios with creativity, imagination, and enthusiasm as they explore new materials and techniques. It’s been inspiring to see their confidence grow and their unique artistic voices shine through each project.

I would like to shout out all our talented instructors: Giovanni DiMaggio, Four, Karleena Graham, Jade Hancock, Robin Melcher, Bogi Pataki, Sarah Rose, Joseph Runyon, and Wendy Strong. I also want to thank our intern Ella Lee who has worked wonderfully with the kids at camp. And, finally, I want to express appreciation for all the amazing volunteers. Without you none of these camps would be possible. Thank you all so much for your hard work!

Thank you, animal models and owners/handlers! We appreciate the owners and handlers who brought their animals to the Art Center during Talia’s Creature Features Art Camp and our Animal Art Lab.

• Guinea pigs Smores and Mocha, Devin from Greenhill Humane Society
• Beta fish Sunshine, Robin
• Walking stick bugs, Mabel
• Dogs George and Mac, Leslie

Here is some of the amazing art that has been created this month.

Pictured, clockwise: Digital Design Lab, Upcycled Arts, Puppet Storytelling, Artists Around the World.

Weekend Workshops

The creativity never stops as we head into August! We have a wonderful lineup of art workshops coming up. We have opportunities for artists of all experience levels to come learn new techniques and explore different mediums. Weekend workshops easily fit into a busy schedule and offer a great way to try something new or continue developing your artistic skills. 

Prints, Petals, and Dyes

August 15, 1 – 3:30 pm

Make eco prints using summertime flora and botanical dyes in this fun, family workshop. Prints can be enjoyed as art pieces, gifts, or pages for a handmade book. Family workshops are a great way to spend time together, make memories, and find your unique expression through art!

The Brave Layers Foundation Series

August 21, 22, & 23, 1 – 3:30 pm

This is a three-part mixed media workshop designed for beginners who want to explore creativity in a fun and approachable way. Students will learn foundational mixed media techniques including layering, collage, texture building, and expressive mark making. Instruction will focus on how to combine paint, paper, and simple tools to create cohesive and visually interesting artwork.

We still have spots available! To sign up CLICK HERE or go to our website at www.mkartcenter.org under the classes tab!

Fall Term Schedule: Open September 1

Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that our Fall Term Class Schedule will be released on September 1! With a wide variety of classes and workshops for youth and adults, there is something for every artist at every level. We can’t wait to share what’s in store and welcome you back to the studio this fall.

Scholarships

The Art Center currently offers scholarships for 50% of the cost of tuition for classes. Scholarships are available for all age groups through the Susi Larsen & Cameron Serbu Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Madeleine Christenson Scholarship Fund.

To be considered, applicants must fill out the application prior to registration and payment. You can apply today on our website.

Stamp Social

Saturday, August 22, 2 – 5 pm

Join Whiteaker Printmakers for a day of fun stamp carving. This mini workshop is a big hit and always sells out! Carve a small 2 x 3-inch stamp and print a small edition. Participants get to take home the stamps and prints they create during the workshop. 

Learn More Here!

*Prints from this workshop are perfect to submit to the “So Small” charity auction hosted by Radiant Community Arts.

Mini Monotype Social

Saturday, August 29, 2 – 5 pm

Print some mini monotypes and learn how to use an etching press in this super easy mini workshop! This workshop teaches you the basics of monotype printing in a short single-day session. Grab a seat for yourself and a friend, come draw for the day, and learn about monotype printmaking.

Learn More Here!

*Prints from this workshop are perfect to submit to the “So Small” charity auction hosted by Radiant Community Arts.

Emerald Print Exchange Showcase & Auction

Opening September 11, 5 – 7 pm 

The 2026 Emerald Print Exchange will be showcasing at Maude Kerns Art Center in the Salon Gallery. Mark your calendars for September 11 and be ready to grab your favorites on the online Auction. Below are prints by some of the featured artists.

Learn More Here!

Pictured: Left to right, Seny y Ruxa by E.O. Dean, Circus Fair by Yuji Hiratasuka, and Dogs As I See Them by Teresa Zepeda

Community Chest 2026:

An Analog Photography Exhibit

EDG's annual Community Chest event showcases photographic work from EDG members as well as artists from the local community. This year, the show will run from September 25th through October 23rd, with an opening reception on September 25th, 5 to 8 pm. The show will be hosted at Whiteaker Printmakers (1328 W. 2nd Ave., Eugene). The gallery will also be open noon to 5 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, for the duration of the show.

This is an open Call to Artists! The exhibition welcomes all types of photographic work that involves some significant analog process. This includes film captures that are digitally printed; digital images printed in an analog process (e.g., cyanotype, platinum print, etc.), and, of course, pure analog all the way. We welcome all local photographic artists and will accept up to three pieces from each exhibitor.

Go to the EDG website for more information and to register to participate!

2nd Annual Summer Sale a Success

Club Mud had its 2nd annual Summer Sale on Sunday, July 26, and it was a great success. Thirteen potters offered their wares. Not only did we see increased attendance and sales from last year, but most of the potters got to hang out together all day and have a lot of fun!

We have decided to continue this sale as an annual event, so look for an announcement next year. If you want to be notified of Club Mud’s upcoming events, let us know and we will add your name to our mailing list. 

We have partnered with Market of Choice to provide you an easy way to support the Art Center! It will only take a moment of your time to register and will help every time that you shop to support our programs and facility.

Here’s how:

Register your credit card. Each time that you use your card at any Market of Choice, Maude Kerns Art Center will receive 4% of your purchase price! Simply sign up at: eScrip Market of Choice and you will be prompted on how to enroll.

Thanks for all that you do to support the Maude Kerns Art Center. It makes a difference!

We want to thank the many volunteers, Board members, Staff, Art Center friends, and patrons who have contributed their time, talents, and treasure for the benefit of Maude Kerns Art Center.