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For Immediate Release
January 8, 2008
Contact: Meagan Atiyeh, Oregon Arts Commission, (503) 986-0084
Jodi Sherwood, Office of the Governor, (503) 378-3109
Artworks by Martha Wehrle Shown in the Governor’s Office On View through February 1, 2008
A selection of mixed media artworks by Corvallis , Oregon artist Martha Wehrle is on display in the office of Governor Ted Kulongoski through February 1, 2008 .
Wehrle works with natural materials, arranging colors and movement as a painter would paint on canvas. Her works are formed of eggshells, pebbles, ceramic tile and copper to create sculptural paintings with rich texture and color. A longstanding art faculty member at Oregon State University , Wehrle’s work has been exhibited throughout the state, including the Pegasus Gallery in Corvallis; the Benton County Historical Museum in Philomath; the Jacobs Gallery at the Hult Center in Eugene; Corvallis Art Center ,Coos Art Museum, and the Portland Art Museum ’s 1989 Oregon Biennial.
She received a BA in Painting from Oregon State University and her MFA in Painting from Pratt Institute of Art in New York . Wehrle’s work is included in the collections of the Portland Art Museum, Oregon State University, Corvallis Public Library and Oregon ’s Percent for Art Collection.
The Art in the Governor’s Office Program honors selected Oregon artists with exhibitions in the reception area of the Governor’s Office in the State Capitol. An exhibit in the Governor’s office is considered a lifetime honor. Artists whose work has been shown there include Gordon Gilkey, Yuji Hiratsuka, Manuel Izquierdo, James Lavadour, Henk Pander, Michele Russo and Margot Thompson.
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The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, funding and arts programs through its grants, special initiatives and services. Nine commissioners, appointed by the Governor, determine arts needs and establish policies for public support of the arts. The Arts Commission became part of the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department in 1993 in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities. In 2003, the Oregon legislature moved the operations of the Oregon Cultural Trust to the Arts Commission, streamlining operations and making use of the Commission’s expertise in grantmaking, arts and cultural information and community cultural development.
The Arts Commission is supported with general funds appropriated by the Oregon legislature, federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts and funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust.
