180530 Newberg Public Art FlipBook

ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
NEWBERG, OREGON
Three handsome, wood-carved, painted signs welcome visitors
to Newberg and are placed at the east and west entrances to
the city by Highway 99W as well as the southern entrance, on
Highway 219.
Established in 1889, Newberg has its fair share of history, now
further embellished with the cultures of art and wine. In this
brochure you will find public art that is located in the city, and
— in most cases — something about the artists or the art itself.
Location addresses are included so that interested people can
find and view the art themselves.
Joe Valasek, a local artist in 1989 and owner of Classic
Carving, created these signs, which were installed in February
of that year. He was assisted by Gerry Blankenship, then an
intern with Valasek and now in business as Northwood Signs in
Carlton.
Mr. Valasek says woodcarving has changed since 1989, and
that he currently uses a computerized CNC Router, which
enables much more detailed creativity. Another nearby art
piece by Joe Valasek is a beautifully carved entrance door at
Rex Hill Winery.
1

1
At the Newberg Public Library this mosaic is composed of
glass tiles. Using a Ford Foundation grant, artist Gil Reynolds
led a local group to design, fabricate, and install the structure.
Mr. Reynolds studied visual arts at the University of Oregon and
apprenticed at F & G Stained Glass in Salem, OR. Additionally,
Gil Reynolds studied at Western Oregon University and the
Pilchuck Glass School, WA. He teaches glass fusing classes,
both nationally and internationally. Mr. Reynolds is also a
musician with a local band; he writes, does photography, and
still attends drawing classes.
“Timeless Flight,” by Mr. Reynolds, can be seen in the Jory
Restaurant in the Allison Inn & Spa, 2525 Allison Lane,
Newberg, and another piece of his glass art may be seen at
the Hillsboro Transit Center.
Corner of Howard and Sheridan Streets
2

2
This perky fox is found at the Snooty Fox Hair Design Salon
owned by Ron Janssen. The name refers back many years to
when a very pretty and stylish woman was referred to as “foxy.”
112 North Blaine Street
3

3
This charming sign for Newberg Frame & Gallery, is owned by
Sally Dallas. There really was a very large, very sociable cat
named Garfield.
The sign was done by Don Sorber of Custom Wood Signs,
Portland, OR. Mr. Sorber graduated from Linfield College
in McMinnville, OR, with an education degree and a strong
interest in art. Mr. Sorber taught P.E. for nine years before
yielding to his artistic instinct, when he learned wood carving by
experimenting.
115 North College Street, Suite 3
4

4
“Fountain for Youth” was designed by Walt Mendenhall, a
graduate of Oregon State University, and installed in Francis
Square in 2001. Mr. Mendenhall is a self-taught sculptor who
finds art inspiration in natural surroundings and works with
stainless steel, bronze, and copper.
Francis Square was dedicated on November 11, 1998, and
named for the theater that formerly stood on the property. The
flagpole was dedicated at the same time to Jerry Fisher, who
was a member of the Community Relations Committee which
was involved in establishment of the park. Benches were added
during the summer of 1998 and George Fox University donated
two Victorian-style light poles at that time.
Corner of East First and College Streets
5

5
Window mural. Gonzalez Taqueria y Panaderia. No artist
information available.
619 East First Street
6

6
Mural of cranes in flight. First Street Pub. The owner of the Pub
identified the artist as Stephen Kehr and knew that the mural
was done in 2006. Information found on the internet indicated
that Mr. Kehr had exhibits in the Portland area during the years
of 2003 and 2006, one of which was at the Royal Orange
Tea House, 316 East First Street, Newberg, and that he died
February 17, 2016. The tea company no longer exists at that
location.
611 East First Street
7

7
Mountain scene at Domino’s Pizza. Mrs. Kasuba, owner,
identified William Rials as the artist who did the mural in 1996
based on scenery he observed in the Newberg/Dundee area
on his first visit to Oregon. Rials took an active part in art and
theater groups, and he was once the mayor of Hillsdale, MI. Mr.
Rials and Beth, his wife, retired to Florida.
717 East First Street
8

8
Coffee Cat. The current owner has no information on origin of
the cat sign and neither does the building owner.
107 South College Street
9

9
The Brickhouse Vineyard is represented in this mural on the
side of the Blue Trout Gallery. Commissioned by Jules and
Joan Drabkin in 2000, the layout was planned by Gary Buhler,
Blue Trout Gallery owner, in cooperation with artists Andrew
and Kristi Harper, formerly Newberg residents and now located
in the Midwest. Mr. and Mrs. Harper have BA degrees from
George Fox University.
111 South College Street
10

10
An acrylic painting located at Ella Bleu’s Salon, by Renee
Powell, Newberg, who has a degree in Visual Communication
from Colorado Institute of Art. Ms. Powell is a local artist who
also has a mural in Newberg Friends Church at College and
Third Street.
114 South College Street
11

11
The Memorial Park World Peace Globe, is made from stainless
steel. Jeff Lane, owner of Newberg Steel and Fabrication, and
Doug Nadler, local residents, created the artwork, which was
donated by Jeff Lane and was installed on top of the brick
column in 2013.
5th and Blaine Street
12

12
High on the Climax Company building, this bright
mural was done by a team of artists led by
Christian Reed while he was a student at George
Fox University. Other student artists were Karissa
Keasey, Christine Swanson, and Andrew Baer.
Approximately 1200 square feet in size, the mural
was begun in 2013 with a grant through George Fox University.
Since the project work exceeded the grant amount, Christian
Reed completed the mural as a private contract in 2014 after
graduating from GFU with a BA in Studio Art.
Another mural with which Christian Reed was involved as
a volunteer was for the Union Gospel Mission in downtown
Portland in 2011.
Second Street and Highway 219
13

13
Mural on the side of Lago de Chapala restaurant.
Owner Angel Anaya said the mural existed on the
building when he purchased the restaurant in 1999 and
he has no information about the artist.
2810 Portland Road
14

14
Finnegan’s Mill Restaurant. Logger sculpted by “Carvin” Marvin
Howard and his brother from Gaston, OR in 2011. From a
rotting redwood tree planted on the site between 1936 and
1938, the likeness of Barney Oldberg, owner of Finnegan’s Mill,
took a week to carve, using chain saws, angle grinders, and a
Dremel tool. Finished sculpture was treated with “log oil” and a
crosscut saw was added.
2810 Portland Road
15

15
Black Bear Diners feature sculptures of black bears doing
un-bearlike things to call attention to their locations. This one is
ready to welcome you with a bear hug.
Artist Ray Schulz uses a chainsaw and has done over 200
bears for the restaurant chain, from skiing bears to this one
holding a welcome sign. He has been doing wood carving for
about 25 years. Favorite woodcarving? An F-18 fighter jet with
a 20-foot wing span in southern California.
Schulz graduated from Eastern Washington University. His
father was an artist, so art was part of his life when growing up.
Although he started painting with oil, Mr. Schulz was attracted
to the size and speed of wood carving and learned technique
through apprenticeships with established wood carvers.
2818 Portland Road
16

16
This handsome fountain and landscaping in a roundabout at
Brutscher and Hayes Streets was designed and installed by
Steve Ellis, owner of Trademark Landscaping, Oregon City.
It was added as part of the construction of senior living and
individual residences in the surrounding area and funded by
developer Mike Gougler. This fountain also symbolizes Oregon
as it is made of basalt rock common to Oregon, particularly
the Columbia Gorge, although these specific rocks came from
Camas, Washington.
From his earliest years, Mr. Ellis was drawn to gardens and
plants. Experience was gained during years of working with
plants and land. He gradually found he had a thriving business,
which he named Trademark Landscaping.
Brutscher and Hayes Streets
17

17
Found in front of Astor House is a sculpture of a boy and
his dog walking a log. Unfortunately, neither the Astor House
manager nor the staff has information as to the sculpture’s
origin.
3801 Hayes Street
18

18
Children walking over log. Found behind Providence Newberg
Medical Center off Providence Drive. This delightful sculpture
was placed in honor of Dr. Stan Kern, family practitioner, who
provided 47 years of family medicine to the local area.
1001 Providence Drive
19

19
“Essence of Grace” by Rip Caswell, sculptor, at The Allison Inn
& Spa. Bronze. Born in 1962, Mr. Caswell began sculpting as
a child when he discovered how easily clay could be shaped.
Later, from clay he went to taxidermy, and then moved on to
bronze and the lost-wax process of casting.
Mr. Caswell specializes in nature-inspired wildlife and true-tolife
figurative bronze sculpture. He currently lives in Troutdale,
OR, where he maintains his gallery.
The Allison Inn & Spa is home to a permanent art collection, The Art of the Allison, which
includes numerous sculptures on the surrounding property. Art Elements Galley extends their
Newberg gallery location to include the gardens of the Allison, which provide ever-changing
exhibits. Each year, the Allison purchases a work of art to add to their permanent collection.
A map and description is usually available at the Inn desk. Four of the sculptures are
permanently placed and owned by the Spa. Background information is provided for those
four sculptures: Essence of Grace, Beaver Buddies, Born of Fire, and the Fox.
2525 Allison Lane off Springbrook Road
20

20
“Beaver Buddies” by Shelley Curtiss, bronze, at The Allison
Inn & Spa. Although Mrs. Curtis obtained a BS degree in
Microbiology, her true interest is sculpture. She established her
studio in Joseph, Oregon and built and co-owned a fine art
foundry there. Curtiss sculptures are in private and corporate
collections, as well as public parks across the nation, including
five parks in New York City.
2525 Allison Lane off Springbrook Road
21

21
“Born of Fire” by Tim Tanner, Idaho. Recycled metal and steel.
Located at The Allison Inn & Spa. Mr. Tanner obtained his BA
from Utah State University in 1988 and attended the California
Art Institute in Thousand Oaks, California from 1986 to 1987.
Although the above sculpture was done in metal, Tanner
also works with oil. Art by Tim Tanner has appeared on many
paperback books as well as in many magazines, such as
Outdoor Life.
2525 Allison Lane off Springbrook Road
22

22
Fox by Shelley Curtiss. Bronze. Located at The Allison Inn &
Spa. Ms. Curtis has been a sculptor since 1990. She said, “I
attempt to speak to others through the visual language of art.”
2525 Allison Lane off Springbrook Road
23

23
This bronze sculpture of a boy kicking a soccer ball came into
being through a community project and is found at Tom Gail
Park. The artist is unknown. Tom Gail, physician, coach, and
farmer, donated the property, and the park was dedicated to
his five sons on July 12, 2008.
The community effort to provide art at this park was led by
the Chehalem Park & Recreation District. Contributions from
the community and a grant from the State of Oregon Park
& Recreation Department provided funds to purchase the
sculpture.
Designed to be self-standing, the sculpture was knocked off its
base years ago and now stands with a brace.
Edgewood Drive and Center Street
24

24
An image of former President Herbert Hoover appears on the
west entrance wall of the Herbert Hoover Academic Building,
George Fox University. Created in brass at a cost of $300,
GFU 1978 graduate Warren Koch conceived and started the
art piece, which was finished by George Fox University art
professor, Pete Snow. The 6-foot likeness was unveiled in
1979.
414 North Meridian
25

25
The importance of community is reflected in “Communitas,”
a ceramic sculpture located on the George Fox University
campus. Commissioned in celebration of the school’s 125th
anniversary in 2017, the piece is the result of collaboration
between art professor Mark Terry and studio resident Andrew
Baer, a 2014 graduate of George Fox. It is on display in the
Esther Zemke Memorial Garden in front of the university’s
Stevens Center.
Professor Terry became interested in art while in Willamette
University. After graduation he explored other life options until
he returned to art as his life choice and felt that he “had come
home.” Terry also studied art at the University of England,
London, as well as at Western Oregon University.
Baer is pursuing an art career and is currently studying the
creation of ceramics.
414 North Meridian
26

26
Installed in 1991 for the George Fox University centennial, the
clock tower is located in the center of the campus and was
designed by Portland architect Pietro Belluschi. Esther Klages,
an alumna, donated the tower. Architecture and art are close
companions, and this is visible in Italian-born Belluschi’s tower
design.
414 North Meridian
27

27
Semi-circular metal sculpture by artist Ryan Beard installed
in 2016 in front of Lemmons Building, George Fox University.
Although Mr. Beard learned to create metal art from his father,
he had further training, earning a BA in Education from Western
Oregon University. He did master degree work at the University
of Oregon and University of Alaska-Anchorage.
414 North Meridian
28

28
“Bear Bench” at George Fox University. Carved by Aren
Thomas.
414 North Meridian
29

29
“Treasure” by Ellen Tykeson. Bronze. George Fox University.
Ellen Tykeson has a Master of Fine Art degree from the
University of Oregon and is an instructor of sculpture and
drawing at Lane Community College, Eugene. According to the
artist, this sculpture represents the values of family and faith.
Ms. Tykeson has ties with the Newberg area through visits to
her grandparents on their Chehalem Valley farm and Newberg
itself.
414 North Meridian
30

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
All of the research and most of the photography was done by Margaret Talt, a
recent resident of Newberg.
Danielle Comfort, then a middle school student from Dundee, assisted with
interviews, photography and data entry.
Computer help was provided by Jim Talt, Margaret’s son.
Many Newberg people helped this project along, sometimes with information and
sometimes pointing to the next person who might have information. All the help is
deeply appreciated.
Among the many: Leah Griffith, Director of the Newberg Public Library; Jim
McMaster and Bryan Stewert, Chehalem Park and Recreation District; Loni Parrish,
Art Elements gallery; Professors Tim Timmerman and Mark Terry, Archivist Rachel
Thomas, Jesse Dillow, Grounds Department and Rob Felton, Director of Marketing
Communications, all at George Fox University; Sally Dallas, Newberg Frame &
Gallery; Debbie Headley; Suzanne Miller; Lionel Muthiah, Rotary International; Joe
Hannon, City Manager, City of Newberg; Hayley Delle; Casey Sonnier; Laura Diebel;
and The Newberg Graphic for information from its archives on the “Logger” wood
sculpture; Mike Ragsdale, Executive Director, Newberg Downtown Coalition.
Michael Comfort, graphic designer at Allegra Design • Print • Marketing, was
responsible for the graphic layout and formatting.
Printing by Allegra Design • Print • Marketing (Newberg)
DOWNTOWN
Produced and distributed by the Newberg Downtown Coalition