Long before the Estate House opened its doors, our Co-Founder and Owner, Lesli Owens, envisioned a day where artists would come as a group and paint in the vineyard at Balsall Creek, and this summer that dream came to fruition with Corks and Canvases.
Lesli has carried a passion and admiration for art throughout her life, beginning with studying art history in college, and continued by creating relationships with local artists and galleries. Art has always had a quiet but notable place at Balsall Creek, and Lesli’s passion and patronage is to thank for that. Since opening, we have partnered with J Pepin Art Gallery to fill the walls of the Estate House with stunning and striking art, all of which is available for sale on behalf of the gallery. With help from this essential partnership, a relationship with ART Elements in downtown Newberg, Artist Jennifer Mark, and a handful of additional artist connections, we were able to cast a wide net of artists to make this unique Plein Air painting event happen.
Corks and Canvases was a two-part event; artists committed to painting on site during a two-day window as well as attending the art reveal and showcase the following month. Lesli camped out at the Estate House from sunrise to sunset July 16 and 17 to meet and connect with the Plein Air painters. Staff, customers, and fellow artists filled the vineyard those days soaking in the creative atmosphere and sneaking peeks of the masterful art being done.
The following month we hosted the showcase where each painting was revealed and hung for display at the Estate House. The artists were all on site to chat with visitors about their experience and inspiration. We expected the paintings to vary significantly in style, size, and subject, but never could have anticipated just how inspired the artists would be by the opportunity. Over half of the painters who participated brought more than one painting to display, and some have created an entire line inspired by our vineyard and view!
All the paintings remain on display and available for sale until the end of September. For each sale made at the Estate House, 20% of the proceeds will be collected and donated to Chehalem Cultural Center for the Arts.
Corks and Canvases brought joy, creativity, and community to Balsall Creek in a completely new way. We absolutely loved hosting this event, and definitely plan to host it again in the future!