Additional Information

Throughout history, artists often gravitate toward areas of unique beauty and simple lifestyles. The Pacific Northwest, specifically California's northern coast, has become known as an artist colony which has grown rapidly in the last fifty years. To honor that tradition, and present a diverse sampling of some of the artists whose work has helped earn the North Coast this distinction, the Westhaven Center for the Arts will present the exhibit "Sea Stack Survey of the North Coast" throughout the month of August.

The exhibit represents seventeen artists' unique interpretations of the majestic rocks off Northern California's coast. Commonly known as "sea stacks", the rocks dominate the coast slightly beyond the physical reach, but not the imagination, of humans. The sea stacks provide habitat for a vast array of sea life and are a part of the California Coastal National Monument managed for protection by the Bureau of Land Management.

Julian Lang, one of the exhibited artists, is a member of the Karuk tribe and of Wiyot descent. Lang says, "I am indigenous to this place here. I've known the coast since I can remember and, in fact, I have my own names for a few places above Trinidad. There is a place, a sea stack cluster, that has always 'spoke' to me: Wilson Creek, just north of the mouth of the Klamath. The rocks seem to be huddled there, a group of people, speaking to each other. The old Indian name of the place is Omen (pronounced like Amen, the prayer word)."

The seventeen painters, poets and photographers have studied the rocks in a depth explored only by attempting to bring creative interpretation to life. Among these north coast artists are acclaimed landscape painters, renowned national photographers and published poets. This exhibit celebrates a richness of talented artists as much as it celebrates the wealth of life that clings to the North Coast's sea swept rocks. The exhibiting artists are Kathy O'Leary, William S. Pierson, Augustus Clark, Victoria Dodge, Suk Choo Kim, Libby George, Julian Lang, Jerry Martien, Libby Maynard, Jim McVicker, Mathew Mossman, Ingrid Nickelsen, Teresa Oates, Annie Reid, Lyn Risling and Larry Ulrich.

A sea stack painting of Yulpits, the 'pilot rock' off Trinidad Head, by the late Ingrid Nickelsen has been generously donated to the Westhaven Center for this exhibit by Liz Pierson of the Ingrid Nickelsen Trust. Ingrid painted the coastal rocks extensively, capturing their complexity in a simple essence of spiritual brilliancy. Before her life ended on a wilderness painting trip in 2005, Nickelsen observed 'There is something about certain configurations of land, water, and sky, which set them apart. Such sites are honored in a myriad of ways. In a spiritual context they are considered sacred, in a secular one they are set aside as a park and in a personal one they carry unique meaning for the individual.' (Laura Oppitz, "The Legacy of an Intrepid Spirit" published in Ingrid Nickelsen, A Life's Work [First Street Gallery, Humboldt State University, 2006])

Larry Ulrich, a nature photographer based in Trinidad, travels and photographs with his wife Donna up to 200 days per year. Ulrich's photography is widely published. His books include: Beyond the Golden Gate: California's North Coast (Companion Press), Big Sur to Big Basin: California's Dramatic Central Coast (Chronicle Books) and Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest. Larry and Donna have traveled many places, but the Trinidad coastline is the first thing they see when coming home.

In support of the exhibit, several interpretive events are offered to the public, among an evening interpretive slide presentation, an afternoon hike by BLM wildlife biologists, a hands-on drawing workshop of inter-tidal objects, a docent-led tour of the exhibit, and slide presentation of the late Ingrid Nickelsen's coastal paintings. The Trinidad Rancheria, a partner in stewardship of the rocks in the California Coastal National Monument, is graciously sponsoring the Westhaven Center for the Arts' exhibit. The "Sea Stack Survey of the North Coast" is curated by Annie Reid, the artist-in-residence at the center. For further information contact Reid at studio@anniereid.com

ART EXHIBIT

"Sea Stack Survey of the North Coast"
Dates: August 1-31, 2008; Thurs - Sun, 1-4p.m.
Opening & Artists' reception: 1-4 p.m., August 3, 2008

MONTH-LONG PUBLIC EVENTS FOR THE PUBLIC

All events begin at the Westhaven Center for the Arts

Tuesday August 12, 7pm:
"More than just a Scenic Backdrop", slide presentation and talk by BLM biologist and photographer Bob Wick. free public event.

Sunday August 17, 6:30pm:
Docent led tour of the exhibit with a discussion and slide presentation of Ingrid Nickelsen's coastal paintings. A sea stack painting of Yulpits, the 'pilot rock' off Trinidad Head, by the late Ingrid Nickelsen has been generously donated to the Westhaven Center for this exhibit by the Ingrid Nickelsen Trust.

Saturday August 23, 9:30a.m -Noon:
Art Workshop with WCA artist-in-residence Annie Reid. Instruction in a variety of drawing interpretations using intertidal objects. All skill levels welcome, explore the sea objects using a variety of techniques. Materials donation suggested on a sliding scale of $10 to $0. Several scholarships are available so no one will be turned away.

Saturday August 23, 12:30-3 p.m.:
Interpretive Sea Stack Walk in Trinidad with BLM wildlife biologist Arlene Kosic. Meet at 12:30 at WCA, walk starts at 1pm. Initially walk will go to Old Home Beach using stairs; second half of walk is on Trinidad Head. Participants with difficulty using stairs can join us for the second half of the walk, by meeting at the lighthouse at 1:45.

LOCATION

Westhaven Center for the Arts
501 S. Westhaven Drive,
Westhaven
Up the hill from Moonstone Beach, 707-677-9493