Plumas Arts invites the community to the opening reception of its 8th annual gallery exhibit, “Artist in The Lookout,” presented in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service. The exhibit features the work of Gail Frazier and Victoria Vajgrt-Guthrey, both of whom completed artist residencies at Black Mountain Lookout, as well as special guest Emily Kachoreck, who spent the summer at Mt. Hough Lookout.
A reception is planned for Friday November 1st, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Plumas Arts Gallery in Quincy. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the featured artists, enjoy complimentary refreshments, and experience the unique artistry that makes Plumas County’s cultural scene so special, Plumas Arts reports. All works displayed are available for purchase, with proceeds supporting both the artists and Plumas Arts’ ongoing efforts to promote arts in the community.
About the artists
Gail Frazier
Born in Quincy California, Gail Frazier has been a lifelong resident of the Northern Sierra. Her artistic talents were evident at an early age as was her affinity for birds, wildlife and the surrounding landscape which became her early artistic subjects.
Living and painting in the Northern Sierras, Frazier draws inspiration from the mountains and wilderness around her. Her detailed landscapes in watercolor, pastel, pen and ink and torn bits of origami paper have been exhibited in a number of local venues with critical success.
“My time spent at Black Mountain lookout was such an inspiration for creativity,” Frazier said, of her experience at the residency. “The sunrise, moonrise and clouds lit up the landscape with color and shadow allowing me to capture the beauty of the north east side of our Plumas National’s Forest. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my vision of the experience”.
Victoria Vajgrt-Guthrey
Victoria Vajgrt-Guthrey is an artist of many mediums. She paints in watercolor, acrylic, and oil, and is a photographer. Inspired by nature, she is particularly drawn to plants. Her goal is to capture the essence of what she experiences through her paintings and photos. She has found the whimsical nature of watercolors can best reflect the often delicate and vibrant flowers of the Sierras. She enjoys looking closely at the intricate details of plants, and painting aspects that might be overlooked at first glance.
Art is a way of life for Vajgrt-Guthrey. As a child, she found wonderment and comfort in the creation process that shaped her inspiration and values throughout her life. Early on she was inspired by the magnitude of beauty in European architecture which ultimately led her to earn a B.S. in interior design from SF State. Her education, as well as life in the fabulously artistic city of San Francisco continued to deepen her love for creativity. She has come to see artistic expression in more than what can be produced — how she dresses, presents her home, cooks, or expresses herself through dance or song are among other ways she lives as a creative person.
Emily Kachorek
“The outdoors has been a constant throughout my life, I have found meaning, inspiration and a deeper understanding of my place in the world through my time in nature,” said Emily Kachorek. Over the summer, Kachorek served as the fire lookout on Mt. Hough, spending eight to ten hours a day observing the northern Sierra and the southern Cascade Range. The express purpose of finding unwanted smoke proved to be a profound and meditative experience, she said. “A 14-foot square box on top of a mountain is a humbling platform from which to reflect and to attempt to capture the surrounding beauty through artistic expression.” She looks forward to sharing this special place through the work displayed at “Artists in The Lookout,” made during many hours immersed in the changing light, passing clouds and beauty of the mountains.
Looking ahead
This event marks the latest in a series of exhibitions at Plumas Arts Gallery, which continues to serve as a cultural hub for both emerging and established artists throughout the region. The “Artist in The Lookout” exhibit is scheduled to run through November 30th.
Information submitted by Plumas Arts
