October Featured Shows Continue Through Saturday, October 29

I hope you'll have an opportunity to visit the gallery before the end of October because we have two great featured exhibits to share with you.

Our member show, "Marks of Resistance" by Lake Oswego artist Kris Paul, is a collection of wall art, hanging disc sculptures, and beautifully shaped bottles created in naked raku. Kris plays with the contrast of black and white design and welcomes the exciting marks and patterns that happen during the firing process. The holidays are coming and any one of Kris' creations would make a memorable gift for someone special on your list.

Our October Guest Show is a fundraiser for the nonprofit CraneAge. Funds raised from the sale of chains of cranes and original artwork created by twelve Portland artists for the organization's latest book, "Today I Will Be...," all benefit families of critically ill children who come to Portland hospitals for treatment. We think it's a very worthy cause. 

A little background on the folded crane story...

Shortly after the end of WWII, the folded origami cranes came to symbolize a hope for peace because of the unforgettable story of 12 year old Sadako Sasaki. Diagnosed with leukemia after being exposed to radiation from the bombing of Hiroshima, Sadako was determined to fold 1,000 cranes. She hoped to recover good health, and for the world to know eternal peace. Sadako managed to fold 644 cranes before she died. Her classmates folded the remaining 356 to honor her.

Today, the practice of folding 1,000 cranes represents a form of healing and hope during challenging times. After the tragic events of September 11, 2001, as a gesture of support and healing, thousands of cranes were folded, linked together in chains and sent to fire and police stations, museum and churches throughout New York City.

Traditionally, flocks of 1,000 cranes are offered at shrines or temples with prayer, base on the belief that the effort to fold such a large number will surely be rewarded. Chains are often given to someone suffering from illness as a prayer for their recovery, as a wish for happiness and as an expression of sympathy and peace. 

Help us help CraneAge by purchasing chains of cranes or original book illustrations. Thank you.