Area art sales have some great finds

Summertime means a lot of different things to people: vacations, outdoor barbecues, sitting on the patio in the evening with a special someone, more time in the garden, weekends at the lake, maybe water skiing or more golf time. Everybody has his favorite things about these three to four special months.

Although all of the above (except the water skiing and golf) factor into my idea of summer, for me, summer means that this is when all the fun, funky art shows happen.

I was delighted to discover a number of artists at the Salem Art Fair and Festival this year. I was particularly impressed with the imaginative and whimsical nature of some of the work exhibited.

It is important, when you are attending an event like this to go with someone who “experiences” in the same manner you do. That being said, I don’t take my own advice. I walk slowly through the exhibits, pausing often and lingering frequently. My companion of many years is more inclined to view the outing in the same light that he would any walk. That is, you walk. You don’t meander, shuffle and pause; you walk.

Consequently, I am continuously looking around to see what has become of him after I have lingered 10 minutes to go through every print in one of the bins or discussing the work with the artist. Wondering where he is each time is a worrisome distraction.

In talking to other women, I understand that this is not a situation unique to me (if the situation is reversed, a wife or girlfriend just seems to naturally have the knack of staying close and appearing to be interested in the subject at hand, even if her mind is actually on the upcoming Nordstrom sale).

After years of outings where one or both of us wandered around, sometimes for hours, looking for the other one, Art and I have worked out an arrangement that works out quite well for us. Everyone works the area at his/her own pace, keeping the exhibits to their left, and no one moves on to another aisle until all parties are accounted for.

Whether you're looking for handmade paper, furniture, fabric or accessories, you will find it at loose ends. If it is unusual, organic and fabulous, then loose ends is the place. Showroom hours are 8 am to 5 pm weekdays and the first Saturday of each month 10 am - 3pm at 2065 Madrona Ave. SE, Salem, or visit us online at www.looseends.com Questions? Give us a call at (503) 390-2348.

So, this year, I really enjoyed the Salem Art Fair, and yes, bought a number of different items — a couple of prints, some pottery and a bit of glass.

As if that wasn’t enough, there was another art show the following week at Edgefield in Portland. If you have never been to Edgefield, you are missing a treat. Built in 1911, it originally was the Multnomah County Poor Farm. The 25 acre parcel was purchased in 1990 by McMenamins and now is a delightful conglomeration of lodging, a pub with a movie theater, a winery, a brewery, fine dining, golf course, vineyards, beautiful gardens and artwork.

It was these last two, the gardens and artwork (well, and maybe the pub) that lured us there on a Tuesday afternoon.

Edgefield was hosting their annual “Cracked Pots” show that featured 70 different artists displaying every imaginable type of garden art, scattered throughout the various garden areas.

I cannot imagine a more enjoyable way to spend a late afternoon and evening.

Artists working in wood, metal, glass, pottery and more showed an amazing range of creativity, and with the pieces being shown in various garden settings, it made it easier to imagine how one might use them in their own garden.

To add frosting to the cake, the grounds have various small outbuildings scattered about (the one we settled in was originally the incinerator) where you could purchase one of McMenamins famous micro brews or a glass of wine made from grapes grown in the vineyard.

Sandi Reinke is an author, frequent television guest and lead designer for loose ends (www.loosends.com), a Salem-based interior décor, garden, and casual lifestyle company. To ask Reinke a decorating question, e-mail info@looseends.com or mail her at the showroom address, 2065 Madrona Ave. SE, Salem, OR 97302. Phone: 503-390-2348.

I am like a kid in a candy store at these events, and again, I did not go home empty handed. A fanciful (and totally nonfunctional) piece of glass sculpture was just too interesting to be denied, then I saw the birdhouses — and I was doomed.

These creations come from the imagination of an artist named David Britton. Talk about using recycled stuff and found objects — old tile pieces, faucet handles, scraps of tin, spindles and knobs, assorted fittings and hardware — all put together in ways that tease the eye and warm the heart. The houses have a hinged back door for easy cleaning after feathered occupancy, too.

After an incredibly painful process of elimination, I chose a little house with the looks and personality of the doorknob in Alice in Wonderland. I will probably hang the fellow in the huge old oak behind the house. I don’t know who will move in, but I’m hoping for the strange little fellow I have seen hanging out lately with the bright orange wings. He seems to have just the right amount of panache to get along with the house. July 29, 2005