A surreal painting set inside a grand cathedral-like space with high vaulted ceilings and tall stone pillars. In the foreground, a flowing pink fabric or garment swirls dramatically, with a golden pitcher suspended in mid-air. The floor is a red and white checkerboard pattern, reflecting the soft, ethereal light from stained glass windows in the background. The composition is dynamic, with the flowing fabric leading the eye into the distant, shadowy interior, where religious statues and an altar can be seen

Visual Magic An Oregon Invitational

This collaborative exhibition between the JSMA and the George D. Green Art Institute celebrates recent work by forty-five artists who began their creative careers in Oregon during the 1960s and '70s. Among those whose paintings (as well as sketchbooks, ceramics, and mixed-media works incorporating paint) will be featured. Participating artists include: Susan Applegate, Jay Backstrand, Rob Bibler, Sharon Bronzan, Sandy Brooke, Clint Brown, Karen Carson, Craig Cheshire, Margaret Coe, Jon Colburn, Bets Cole, Jon Jay Cruson, Robert Dozono, Robert Gamblin, Humberto Gonzalez, Dennis Gould, Cie Goulet, George Green, John Haugse, Carol Hausser, Jeri Hise, George Johanson, Leland John, Kacey Joyce, Connie Kiener, Edwin Koch, James Lavadour, Nancy Lindburg, Margaret Matson, Sue-Del McCulloch, Gary Meacham, Terry Melton, Ken O'Connell, Paula Overbay, Lucinda Parker, Jan Reaves, Laura Ross-Paul, Sandra Roumagoux, Erik Sandgren, Isaka Shamsud-Din, Jim Shull, Susan Trueblood Stuart, Richard Thompson, Hugh Webb, and Phyllis Yes.

This exhibition will showcase how this generation of artists continues to represent the highest levels of artistic statement and creative accomplishment, while maintaining commitments to personalized styles. Sixty years after their careers started in this state - in many cases, as students of the University of Oregon's M.F.A. Program, at Oregon State University, or at Portland's Museum Art School (now Pacific Northwest College of Art) - these artists continue to create art that inspires and expands this state's artistic landscape. Thanks to a Ford Family Foundation Exhibition and Documentation Support Grant, the exhibition will be accompanied by a catalog with essays by JSMA McCosh Curator Danielle Knapp and Dr. Henry Sayre, Distinguished Professor of Art History at Oregon State University - Cascades Campus.

Visual Magic: An Oregon Invitational is made possible with the generous support of the Coeta and Donald Barker Changing Exhibitions Endowment, Arlene Schnitzer and Jordan Schnitzer, the Oregon Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, and JSMA members. The accompanying catalog was funded by a Ford Family Foundation Exhibition and Documentation Support Grant and the George D. Green Art Institute’s Benefactors (Sonya McDowell Education Grant, Meri & Scott McLeod, Stephen & Dr. Becky Miller-Moe) and Sponsors (Sharon Bronzan, Sandy Brooke, Karen Carson, Barb & Dave Corden, Jon Jay Cruson, Robert & Noriko Dozono, Sandy Green, Dinny Hausser & Lenny Held, Nels Hall & Deb Mawson, Terry Melton, Ward Family Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation, Annie Painter, Betsy & Wally Preble, Ned Preble, Jane & Reagan Ramsey, Laura Ross-Paul, and Andy Thaler).

The JSMA mourns the recent losses of two featured artists, Edwin "Ed" Koch (1937 - 2018) and Janet "Jan" Reaves (1945 - 2018)

Public Programs

Additional Materials

Danielle Knapp Curator's Lecture -- Visual Magic: The Oregon Connection

Visual Magic Gallery Tour: The Human Figure

Visual Magic Gallery Tour: Landscape and Environment

Visual Magic Gallery Tour: Color and Abstraction

Visual Magic Gallery Tour: Travel