Promoting the arts through educational opportunities, programs and events
JoDean Sarins ~ Jewelry Artist
Mefore Aday ~ Paint/Mixed Media
Curious what my name Me-fore A-day really means? Me in the Fore front of the Aday's.
Born in 1985 as Mary Aday, to a poor, uneducated, loud family in rural North Mississippi.
I consider myself a neglected over-achiever. Using drawing as a way to gain attention in my large family, I drew like my life depended on it. What started out as a desperate cry for love and admiration, creativity soon became my comfortable way of dealing with the traumas of my childhood. Art became my coping mechanism. I luckily gained scholarships to Memphis College of Art in Tennessee and then transferred to Oregon College of Art & Craft in Portland, in 2006.
Becoming a professional artist with a strong, unique voice has become my entire reason for being conscious. My studio is located on a secluded 80 acres up the White Salmon River valley.
Born in 1985 as Mary Aday, to a poor, uneducated, loud family in rural North Mississippi.
I consider myself a neglected over-achiever. Using drawing as a way to gain attention in my large family, I drew like my life depended on it. What started out as a desperate cry for love and admiration, creativity soon became my comfortable way of dealing with the traumas of my childhood. Art became my coping mechanism. I luckily gained scholarships to Memphis College of Art in Tennessee and then transferred to Oregon College of Art & Craft in Portland, in 2006.
Becoming a professional artist with a strong, unique voice has become my entire reason for being conscious. My studio is located on a secluded 80 acres up the White Salmon River valley.
Sarah Burr Arnold ~ Jewelry Artist
Miki Caldwell ~ Ceramics
Kyla Rae ~ Zen Lotus Design ~ Jewelry Artist
I have been designing and fabricating my own jewelry for over 20 years. I truly love to play with natural materials and create works of art to wear daily.
By selecting stones and materials with great care the final piece shines with quality. When wearing your own carefully crafted, stunning and unique piece, it reflects your own style.
Living in the heart of the gorge is an amazing playground for my daughter and I to soak up the breathtaking and beautiful nature around us.
I hope you express yourself in wearing each piece as much as I enjoyed making it.
By selecting stones and materials with great care the final piece shines with quality. When wearing your own carefully crafted, stunning and unique piece, it reflects your own style.
Living in the heart of the gorge is an amazing playground for my daughter and I to soak up the breathtaking and beautiful nature around us.
I hope you express yourself in wearing each piece as much as I enjoyed making it.
Cyndi Strid ~ Mixed Media
Elise Howard ~ Ceramics
Nestled in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, is Elise's pottery studio. Carefully creating her detailed ceramic wares, Elise draws inspiration from the natural wonder of the landscapes all around her. Hiking through mountains and forests, playing in the rivers, and stopping to appreciate wild flowers and berries all lend their beauty to the creation of each handmade piece.
Working with clay, Elise feels both a literal and emotional connection with the earth. Moulding and shaping lumps of clay with her bare hands, she transforms them in to elegant and unique works of functional art. Each designed to bring people together through the joy of sharing a wonderful drink or delicious meal served through beautifully handcrafted ceramics.
Elise first began her journey with ceramics in 2008 with her first class in pottery. She instantly was hooked and fell in love with the tactile nature of this material. The words her professor resonated with her, stressing the importance of not only design of the work, but also how the vessel functions practically. To think of this vessel being used, held up to your lips, in your hands? This added dimension of aesthetic has been the driving force for all of her work and continues to inspire her to perfect her craft.
After graduating, Elise studied with Joe and Cindy Delwaide in Texas. They both taught Elise to have fun with clay, not take life too seriously, and most importantly that the best work happens when you are doing what you love.
Working with clay, Elise feels both a literal and emotional connection with the earth. Moulding and shaping lumps of clay with her bare hands, she transforms them in to elegant and unique works of functional art. Each designed to bring people together through the joy of sharing a wonderful drink or delicious meal served through beautifully handcrafted ceramics.
Elise first began her journey with ceramics in 2008 with her first class in pottery. She instantly was hooked and fell in love with the tactile nature of this material. The words her professor resonated with her, stressing the importance of not only design of the work, but also how the vessel functions practically. To think of this vessel being used, held up to your lips, in your hands? This added dimension of aesthetic has been the driving force for all of her work and continues to inspire her to perfect her craft.
After graduating, Elise studied with Joe and Cindy Delwaide in Texas. They both taught Elise to have fun with clay, not take life too seriously, and most importantly that the best work happens when you are doing what you love.
Angela Clark ~ Ceramics
Angela Clark is a native Oregonian, Ceramist, Certified Yoga Teacher, Photographer and nature lover. She can be found hiking the trails of the Columbia River Gorge with her dog Yuki or biking in the surrounding hills. She has done event photography for Nordic Northwest, Living Yoga, the DAYA Foundation and the Teacher Training at OSCI. For 11 years she was the sole owner of Encanto Press, a letterpress printing and design business as well as a Stylist in commercial photography. She then began an in-depth study of yoga and eventually co-led Trauma-Informed Brain-Sensitive Yoga Trainings. She has taught yoga at multiple studios and professional spaces. She currently teaches yoga and meditation classes at OHSU’s March Wellness as well as Touchmark in the West Hills, a senior living community. Her time as a volunteer at the Oregon State Correctional Institution, teaching inmates to become 200 Hour Certified Yoga Teachers, was transformational.
After a stint selling Turkish textiles, creating pottery is now taking center stage. Much like the practice of yoga, making pottery brings her a sense of calm and centeredness. She loves to share her artwork with others and see people light up when they have a kinesthetic connection to her pieces. It also brings her great joy when people use her mugs at the local coffee shop to reduce waste and care for the environment.
After a stint selling Turkish textiles, creating pottery is now taking center stage. Much like the practice of yoga, making pottery brings her a sense of calm and centeredness. She loves to share her artwork with others and see people light up when they have a kinesthetic connection to her pieces. It also brings her great joy when people use her mugs at the local coffee shop to reduce waste and care for the environment.
