HAWTHORNE GALLERY
Port Orford OR
We have traveled the coast several times in the 80’s and 90’s, and I, being an artist, was always interested in visiting the many fine art galleries that dotted the coast. This year, we were disappointed in that nearly all had disappeared. Some had closed, some now carry lower priced decorator type art, and some had become tourist gift and souvenir shops. Our last stop going south on the coast in Oregon was Port Orford. We stopped at the south end of town at the "Battle Rock City Park" overlook to look at the scenery. Much to our surprise there was a new gallery and restaurant adjacent to the park. It blends in with the local ambiance and you will miss it if you are not looking for it. You can park so that you can walk to the overlook, the gallery and the adjacent upscale restaurant.
As you walk up to the Hawthorne Gallery, you step into a pleasant outside sculpture garden. Then, inside you are greeted with wonderful 2 and 3- dimensional art by Chris Hawthorne, the owner, and some of his family, as well as a few other excellent outside artists. This is Chris’ first gallery. Another Hawthorne Gallery is located in Big Sur CA. It is owned by his brother Greg and both galleries feature the same artists. You can visit their website for more information at;
The restaurant is named "Redfish", and I can tell you for sure that they have a gourmet chef. I had the best clams I have ever eaten in my life. Redfish is also owned by Chris. In my opinion, he has excellent taste. It is reflected in both the decor of both establishments, as well as the art and the food. The art is mostly modern, as opposed to traditional. However, the works have the sensitivity of, say, Kandinsky or Chagall, as opposed to, say, de Kooning or Bacon. But, that is, of course, a matter of opinion.
Actually, my greatest surprise was that Chris was the owner. When we were both relatively new at glass blowing, I visited him at his studio. That was sometime in the 80’s. He soon outclassed most of us, and became an internationally known glass blower with his works ending up in major collections throughout the world. We had never crossed paths again until this July. Quite a coincidence!
The images below were all taken there.
