Event Details
Artist of the Month: Cape Meares Artist Collective
Opening Reception: Friday, July 3, 2026 | 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Second Gallery Showing: Saturday, July 18, 2026 | 1:00–4:00 p.m.
Location: Bay City Arts Center
Admission: Free and open to the public
Bay City Arts Center (BCAC) is pleased to announce the Cape Meares Artist Collective as the featured artists for its July Artist of the Month Exhibition, showcasing the diverse talents of local coastal artists working across a wide range of mediums. The exhibition will open during BCAC’s First Friday Gallery Show on Friday, July 3, from 5:00–7:00 p.m., with a second public gallery reception on Saturday, July 18, from 1:00–4:00 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.
The Cape Meares Artist Collective brings together artists inspired by the natural beauty, culture, and character of Oregon’s North Coast. Visitors can explore an eclectic collection of work including graphite sketches, oil paintings, photography, pottery, stitch art, kelp and driftwood basketry, and collaborative fiber arts.
A special feature of the exhibition is Sewing Dissent: Against Erasure, a collaborative quilt created by 40 women from across Oregon, including three Tillamook County artists who are members of the Cape Meares Artist Collective. Inspired by a March 2025 New York Times article identifying more than 200 words reportedly flagged or removed from federal websites and communications, each participating quilter selected and stitched three of those words into uniquely designed quilt blocks. The completed quilt explores themes of language, visibility, inclusion, civic engagement, and artistic expression through the traditional medium of quilting.
The Bay City Arts Center exhibition marks the quilt’s first public showing. “This exhibition celebrates both individual artistic expression and the power of creative collaboration,” said Lauren Sorg, Executive Director of the Bay City Arts Center. “The Cape Meares Artist Collective represents the rich artistic spirit of our region, and we’re excited to share both their individual work and this remarkable collaborative project with the community.”
The exhibition highlights a variety of artistic perspectives and techniques, from detailed wildlife illustrations and coastal landscapes to handcrafted ceramics, fiber arts, and sculptural works inspired by the ocean and surrounding forests. Together, the collection reflects the creativity, craftsmanship, and diverse voices that make Oregon’s coastal arts community so vibrant.
The Artist of the Month program is part of BCAC’s ongoing commitment to supporting local artists, expanding public access to the arts, and creating opportunities for community engagement through exhibitions, performances, and educational programming.
About Bay City Arts Center
Bay City Arts Center is a nonprofit community arts organization dedicated to enriching lives through arts education, cultural programming, public events, and creative opportunities for people of all ages. Located on Oregon’s Tillamook Coast, BCAC serves as a vibrant gathering place where artists, residents, and visitors can connect through creativity and community.
