Lincoln City, OR. – Lincoln City has become the Glass Mecca of the Oregon Coast. Oregon's oldest glassblowing studio, Alder House III, is nestled in a grove of alder trees just outside of Lincoln City. Visitors are in for a treat as they watch and learn about this ancient art. Molten glass is heated in a 2000-degree oven and then carefully shaped as the artist delivers a descriptive narrative of the techniques employed.

This ancient art is also celebrated in Lincoln City’s annual glass float program, Finders Keepers, which began in 1999. Each year numbered, colorful hand-blown floats are placed on the beach by the thousands for lucky beachcombers to find. Visitors of all ages delight in the discovery of these beautiful treasures.

But the glass arts need not be restricted to professional artists. Now you can find the artist within you by taking a glass art class at Glass Confusion in the Oceanlake District. Glass Confusion offers classes in fused glass for people who have only a few hours to have fun, or customized classes and stained glass classes for those who wish to learn the art in depth.
And if you are not one of the lucky beachcombers who find a glass float during Finders Keepers, sulk not! At the Jennifer L. Sears Glass Art Studio you can walk in off the street and blow your own glass float or make a paperweight. Additional classes with in-depth training can be arranged as well.

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For more than 20 years the Sitka Center for Arts and Ecology has drawn international scientists and artists to Lincoln City through its residency program. Located on the slopes of Cascade Head and bordering the Salmon River estuary, the Sitka Center is dedicated to the strong relationship between art and nature. Sitka offers classes, seminars and exhibits for all age groups and various levels of experience. Through year-round programs, weekend workshops, and evening events, the Sitka Center brings together artists, ecologists, and students in a stunning coastal environment. This is the only program of this kind on the Oregon Coast.

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Gallery hopping and art collecting may seem an unlikely pastime at the beach, but in Lincoln City, you'll find it is worth the trip. Lincoln City boasts several fine local artists, and its galleries feature other Pacific Northwest talent as well. Lincoln City gallery owners are mindful of the diversity available in art and thus encompass the wide range of lifestyles from the rugged to the whimsical.

The Lincoln City Cultural Center (4C’s) hosts month-long free exhibits of art in various forms, from glass to oil and photography to watercolors. Its knowledgeable and eager staff can also be of assistance in matching the artist seeking guidance to the artist offering assistance. www.lincolncityarts.org

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Next door to Alder House III, Mossy Creek is well known for fine porcelain and stoneware. Lucky visitors may see an artist at work at the resident potter's wheel.

At the north end of town, Ryan Gallery, with two floors of exhibit space, displays the work of fine Northwest artists in watercolor, oil and pastel, mixed media, ceramics, glass, sculpture and jewelry.

Master photographer Ralph Elliott has a gifted eye. There is no one better at photographing the beach or waiting for just the right moment for the best light in an outdoor scene. His gallery, The Frame Cellar, features fine art, framing, and stunning photographs.

At the south end of town the Freed Gallery and the Lawrence Gallery at Salishan present exhibits of artists from throughout the world. By themselves, the sculptures on the grounds of the Freed Gallery are worth the trip there. And in-between are a myriad of galleries with different styles and artistic offerings, like Pyromania, Earthworks, or Once In a Blue Moon. A map and brochure identifying all the galleries and their locations can be obtained from our website at www.oregoncoast.org.

In October, Lincoln City highlights its glass floats with Glass Galore, an exhibition and sale of glass art of all kinds, including fused, blown, slumped and stained glass works. Late September or early October offers the unusual experience of watching painters in action on the Bay during the Plein Air Art Festival.

Each June the art galleries of Lincoln City celebrate their finest exhibits with a Gallery Hop. This weekend’s event features artists’ receptions, art demonstrations, refreshments, and drawings for gift certificates toward that piece you nearly left behind.

These are but a few of the visual art experiences offered in Lincoln City. This little beach community is filled with art galleries, studio artists, performing artists, and special events that showcase their talents. So...how soon can you get here?

For more information on art in Lincoln City, call the Lincoln City Visitor & Convention Bureau at 800-452-2151, or visit our website at www.oregoncoast.org and click on “shopping” and then the “art galleries” icon.

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