Coming: July 18, 19th (Sat & Sun)
STUDIO TOUR in Ft. Bragg
#19 Virginia Ray
11 am to 4 pm
My first time to participate in this town!
26 local artists will open their studios to the public.
My unique studio is just north of downtown a few blocks.
Preview show at Edgewater Gallery on Main St. (2 doors down from my Northcoast Artists Gallery)
Opening: July 3rd 4 - 8 pm
DETAILS & MAP
STUDIO TOUR in Ft. Bragg
#19 Virginia Ray
11 am to 4 pm
My first time to participate in this town!
26 local artists will open their studios to the public.
My unique studio is just north of downtown a few blocks.
Preview show at Edgewater Gallery on Main St. (2 doors down from my Northcoast Artists Gallery)
Opening: July 3rd 4 - 8 pm
DETAILS & MAP
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I am a member of the BEST collective gallery on this coast! Next First Friday Scott Gaustad, gallery member Wood Turnings July 3rd, 5 - 8 pm This featured show up July 2 thru Aug 4, 2026 362 N. Main St. in Ft. Bragg, CA Open Daily 11 am - 5 pm 707.954.8266 www.northcoastartists.org |
AND Showing in Mendocino at: L.A. Hyder Gallery 10341 Kasten St. Hours: Thursday thru Saturday 12 - 6 pm Sunday 12 - 4 pm Second Saturday July 11th 4 - 7 pm |
Current window at the gallery.
Great exposure to publicize upcoming Studio Tour!
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"Offering" 33" x 33" x 4" $1400
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Great NEWS! Our Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens invited me to be the featured artist for their annual fundraiser event, Art in the Gardens 2025. While the event is over, PORTAL is still available! It is on display in the lobby of The Grey Whale Inn! Come see this showcase piece in person. 615 Main St. (Hwy 1) in Ft. Bragg. |
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"Portal"
Showcase piece for Art in the Gardens 2025
(A portion of the proceeds goes to the Gardens)
Size: 30" x 30" x 4"
Price: $1800
Showcase piece for Art in the Gardens 2025
(A portion of the proceeds goes to the Gardens)
Size: 30" x 30" x 4"
Price: $1800
Description: Inspiration for me comes from listening and being open for clues, much like a treasure hunt. What sort of ingredients would make an eye catching piece for Art in the Gardens? Big, round, and mandala-like came to mind.
Ah ha, I awoke with an idea. My retired maritime neighbor had a very weathered porthole window I’d admired for years in their yard. He’d salvaged the prize years ago from a boat at our Noyo Harbor. Expressing interest in using it for art, out came his drill and moments later I walked away with my focal point! (It even opens now, thanks to elbow grease!)
More of our community jumped in as I scoured our coast for round forms. Soon, a circle made of reclaimed redwood fencing appeared at my doorstep from a Chico wood building magician.
On a visit to my sister’s, as I dreamily looked out the window, I noticed a large shaped frame near her front door. You guessed it, it’s the outer form that brings even more depth.
Other items include a set of aluminum coasters, painted and sanded, a carved painted wooden flower, an engraved brass plate (found half buried in my backyard one day as I pondered what to put in the center of the porthole). Paper, paint, ribbon, and brass tacks a friend’s mother had carefully pried off of an old chest intended for some unknown project.
Portal invites us to step into new realms of possibility. Much like a walk through our infamous coastal gardens offers.
Special thanks to The Danners, Anthony Montoya Woodworks, and my sister Valerie.
Ah ha, I awoke with an idea. My retired maritime neighbor had a very weathered porthole window I’d admired for years in their yard. He’d salvaged the prize years ago from a boat at our Noyo Harbor. Expressing interest in using it for art, out came his drill and moments later I walked away with my focal point! (It even opens now, thanks to elbow grease!)
More of our community jumped in as I scoured our coast for round forms. Soon, a circle made of reclaimed redwood fencing appeared at my doorstep from a Chico wood building magician.
On a visit to my sister’s, as I dreamily looked out the window, I noticed a large shaped frame near her front door. You guessed it, it’s the outer form that brings even more depth.
Other items include a set of aluminum coasters, painted and sanded, a carved painted wooden flower, an engraved brass plate (found half buried in my backyard one day as I pondered what to put in the center of the porthole). Paper, paint, ribbon, and brass tacks a friend’s mother had carefully pried off of an old chest intended for some unknown project.
Portal invites us to step into new realms of possibility. Much like a walk through our infamous coastal gardens offers.
Special thanks to The Danners, Anthony Montoya Woodworks, and my sister Valerie.
Virginia in the limelight.
Currently At:
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Antique Assemblage at Wilbur Hot Springs
In Northern California Historic hotel and nature preserve 530.472.2306 www.wilburhotsprings.com |
New! "Mystic Doorways"
11" x 21" x 2 1/2"
SOLD!
11" x 21" x 2 1/2"
SOLD!
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The wealth found in a boxful of vintage door plates (from a generous friend) brings much intrigue to this latest piece. Hints of doorways are so suggestive. The plates are mounted on a portion of an old trunk. Enjoy exploring the realms of possibilities presented in this evocative composition.
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Here are more pieces at Wilbur.
Some Past Shows:
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Art in the Gardens Mendocino Botanical Gardens Annual Fundraiser August 3 and 4th, 2024 11 am to 5 pm I sold my prayer flags. And a few fun art pieces. Booth # 44 Look for the vintage handpainted parasol and flags at south end of the event lawn. |
My colorful set up!
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This show was fun to put together, highlighting my inspirations using baking tins and familiar tidbits to honor this lovely bakery and cafe!
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Sky Flags installation in our members 'Earth & Sky' featured show. February 2024
View from front door. That's my regular wall space on the right!
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Nice close up of my installation.
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Treasure Hunt Show, September 2023.
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Gallery window installation for show.
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My postcard image, "Cake Walk" amidst work table.
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Happy Summer window installation. July 2023
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Sideview with shadows.
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Walking with Wonder, featured artist of the month in July 2022 at Northcoast Artists Gallery.
Panoramic view of the show with the artist. July 2022.
Evening view of Wonder window installation. July 2022
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Celestial Compass in the window. (SOLD)
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Spoonful of Life, featured artist of the month in July 2021 at Northcoast Artists Gallery.
These SPOONFULS of LIFE are invitations to experience life one moment at a time. As well as capturing the essence of our beautiful coast in a spoonful, literally! Spoons are so common, and often taken for granted. To me, they represent human-ness. I am especially fond of incorporating vintage spoons into my artwork. They carry unknown hints, flavors, and conversations around our universal family of life.
"A New Day"
Collage & Assemblage by Virginia Ray June 13 - July 6, 2020 Featuring 2 new series created during Shelter in Place See a virtual tour slideshow! Thank you for supporting the best artist's cooperative gallery on the Mendocino Coast! Openings for our new shows every First Friday of the Month have been postponed for now. Northcoast Artists Gallery 362 North Main St. in Ft. Bragg, CA We have reopened! Hours: Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon 11 - 4 (707) 964-8266 northcoastartists.org |
Virginia with Sea Glass Mandala and more at show.
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Panoramic view of featured show!
"Treasure Star"
(SOLD)
" A Grateful Life "
Summer 2019
at Northcoast Artists Gallery
Ft. Bragg, CA on the Mendocino Coast
The show featured my Grateful Series using vintage graters, new assemblages inspired by the ocean, and the rarely shown "Hair Piece". Installations, and drive by art in both front windows! Plus Tiny Treasures with local sea glass, Little Whimsies, Prayer Flags, and unusual surprises.
"Treasure Star"
This is my actual childhood chinese checkers board. I played many a game with one of my sisters. Sanded and polished, it’s transformed with local seaglass, gem stones, good luck beads, coins, buttons, and ribbons. Also a metal i ching disc and enameled lid, a cobalt blue salt shaker of sorts, a vintage bottle, japanese papers and beeswax.
Summer 2019
at Northcoast Artists Gallery
Ft. Bragg, CA on the Mendocino Coast
The show featured my Grateful Series using vintage graters, new assemblages inspired by the ocean, and the rarely shown "Hair Piece". Installations, and drive by art in both front windows! Plus Tiny Treasures with local sea glass, Little Whimsies, Prayer Flags, and unusual surprises.
"Treasure Star"
This is my actual childhood chinese checkers board. I played many a game with one of my sisters. Sanded and polished, it’s transformed with local seaglass, gem stones, good luck beads, coins, buttons, and ribbons. Also a metal i ching disc and enameled lid, a cobalt blue salt shaker of sorts, a vintage bottle, japanese papers and beeswax.
"The Hair Piece" and the artist. 1983
"The Hair Piece"
This was a year long 'performance'. I originally invited 100 friends to send me a lock of their hair to represent themselves by. Hair can be thought of as a physical symbol of ones' self. I have been naturally bald (Alopecia) for many years. So the exchange of hair very much complemented our existence, showing we are all parts of each other. Today, with the blowing winds of division and destruction all around, I feel the call to show this unifying piece.
Virginia Ray’s Whimsical Assemblages November 1 - 19, 2018 The Mendocino Art Center Nichols Gallery 45200 Little Lake St. in Mendocino 707.937.5818 hrs: 11 - 4 daily Second Saturday Gallery Reception: November 10, 5 pm – 8 pm Included my collection of vintage travel trunks and grateful pieces. Plus a surprise installation! |
"Well Traveled"
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I'm honored to have images from my Grateful Series in this online inspirational journal, Leaping Clear.
November 24 & 25th, 2017
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mendocino Art Center
58th Annual Thanksgiving Art Fair (indoors)
I’ll had a fun booth overflowing with small whimsical assemblages and magical oddities.
15th Annual
Wild & Scenic Film Festival
January 12 - 16, 2017
Nevada City and Grass Valley, CA
Environmental Awareness Themed Art Shows at various venues.
A grouping of my work was on display in the historic Miners Foundry.
325 Spring St. in Nevada City.
"Fortitude" is made using a vintage Kodak film canister. Perfect for this show!
I like giving new life to ordinary items we all use, especially spoons. The aged patina of the metals is even more lovely with added depth after it went through a fire. Several items were scavenged from a different fire including two spoons, the tea kettle lid, and the metal top of a burned Earth, Wind, and Fire music box. Other items are a carved bone knob, coins, metal covered wooden heart, Bodhi leaves, clay lotus charm, antique ribbon and an ancient spoon that holds much mystery to me.
ENCORE -Repurposed Art Group Show
MAY 13 - JULY 6, 2016
SMUD
6301 S Street (near 65th) Sacramento, CA
Gallery hours: Mon - Fri 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
(I had 5 rustic pieces in this show.)
LEEANN BROOK FINE ART GALLERY
The month of June 2016
300 Spring Street (at S. Pine) in Nevada City, CA
Gallery hours: Thurs - Sun Noon to 5 p.m.
530.265.6817
On view were six of my earthy pieces using re-purposed materials, along with LeeAnn's new paintings.
And beautiful collection of Japanese antiquities.
Right next door was my South Pine Cafe show!
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SOUTH PINE CAFE
JUNE 1 - JULY 15, 2016 110 S. Pine Street in Nevada City. Open everyday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Big show of 20+ pieces.) 530.265.0260 |
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 Artist at work.
Open Studio Tour 2016 October 8, 9 and 15, 16 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. My studio in the big old barn: 305 Miners Trail Grass Valley. This county wide event was sponsored by The Center for the Arts. |
Welcome to my barn studio!
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More Open Studio Tour Photos:
