Just in time for this month’s Corvallis Arts Walk, a new Main Gallery exhibit starts this Thursday at The Arts Center, or TAC.
In Unexpected Harmony features the work of John Richey and Niraja Lorenz. Inspired by the beauty of the natural world, this exhibition explores the expressive possibilities of abstraction to embody wholeness and understanding.
Both exhibitors are prolific Oregon artists, admired for their commitment to their craft. Richey’s wood sculptures articulate space and offer a “felt experience”, while Lorenz’s fiber works explore shape, pattern and color through vibrant quilting techniques. Together they complement each other in form and spirit.
About the Artists
The daughter of an artist and a scientist, Niraja Lorenz began weaving as a teenager in Cambridge, Massachusetts. After high school, with a table loom and a foot locker of yarn, she explored the U.S. in her VW van visiting national parks and wilderness areas. Later she studied biology (B.A.) and psychology (Ph.D.). Quilting became her passion in 1994.
After years of creating original pieces, she began studying with world-renowned fiber artist Nancy Crow in 2007. Her work quickly evolved as she discovered that she had a unique visual voice. She currently splits her time between her studio in Eugene and working to protect democracy.
John Richey received both of his art degrees from Florida State University: first an undergraduate degree in Studio Art and later an MFA in Painting and Sculpture. Since moving to Oregon seven years ago, he has continued to show his work regionally: Maude Kerns (Eugene), Umpqua Valley Arts (Roseburg), Art Center East (La Grande), Collective Visions Gallery (Bremerton).
Reception & Artist Talk set for Thursday, November 20, from 5:30 to 7 pm. The exhibition runs from November 20, 2025, to January 10, 2026.
CORRINE WOODMAN GALLERY: See Yourself in Art, Susan Pachuta
Starting just five days later, Susan Pachuta’s project comes to the Corrine Woodman Gallery. It serves as an invitation to everyone to recognize their own creativity as a vital part of themselves, as well as the community, and it is also a bit of a fundraiser for TAC.
The TAC pitch is thus: Come gaze at the hundreds of eyes Pachuta has created and maybe pick a pair to bring home with you.
It sounds fun, and by purchasing one of Pachuta’s See Yourself in Art works, you are supporting the arts community of Linn and Benton counties. Each piece is $25. All proceeds from work sold during the exhibition will be donated to The Arts Center.
About the Artist
Susan Pachuta, born in 1947, discovered ceramics while at Emporia State University studying Environmental Science. In that period, she was greatly influenced by her instructors, Elaine O.Henry and John Hasegawa.
Now living in Corvallis, OR, Pachuta is a proud member of the Willamette Ceramics Guild and thoroughly enjoys the creative and supportive environment that is so strong in her community.
Exhibit runs November 25, 2025 to January 3, 2026. A TAC Holiday Celebration and Reception is set for Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 5:30 pm.
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