Studio on 5th, a multi-media art studio, in connection with the Madras Aquatic Center Recreation Program (MAC) is sponsoring an “Exploring Various Art Media” Summer Children’s Program at their studio located directly across the street from Rio’s, 220 SW 5th St., Madras.
Classes will include block printing, introduction to wood burning and mask making with Sculpy.
“We want students to experience different creative art expressions,” explains studio partner Royce Embanks, who specializes in hand-carved and painted birds and fish.
Studio partner Sharon Miller carves, paints and does other multi-media creations along with Tom Miller, photographer who specializes in local area photos. Other artists include, Tasha Terrell, jewelry; Bill Montgomery, wood carving; Jean Montgomery, paintings; Harold Cassity, spoons and relief carving; and Al Kozak, wine bottle stoppers, made with Oregon woods.
Studio on 5th also hosts the High Desert Carvers, an informal club which welcomes anyone interested in creative art expression to drop in to visit and see what it’s all about.
Embanks and Millers opened the Studio in 2003 on Sixth St. (formerly called Sixth Street Artist Studio), and moved to its present location in 2010. Artists have worked with Best Care in offering art therapy classes for children after school hours.
The Studio carries one-of-a-kind items including jewelry, woodwork, hand-painted folk-art, knit and crocheted items. Each year artists participate in the Deschutes County Sportsman’s Show in March and also at the fair in Redmond. Their work is shown for competition in shows at Lincoln City each January, San Diego each February, Burns and Victoria B.C. in April and Vancouver, Washington each September.
Embanks was initiated to wood carving in 1986 at a demonstration at the Portland Forestry Center by Craig Strand, who became his mentor, because “He didn’t laugh at my first attempt.”
He went home after the demonstration, carved a wood duck out of a 4 x 4 piece of wood, painted and put in eyes. He took the carving to the Feather & Quill Carvers Club in Vancouver, Washington and joined the club the next year. His carving was juried at the Wild Birds and Wood Show and he was asked to participate in that show. His first carving sold for $500.
Embanks won the Best of Division in the Antique Decoy Competition in Vancouver, Washington in 2010 and 2011. In 2012 he placed thrid Best of Show in San Diego. He won second and third places in World Fish Carving Championships in Reno in 2007 and received first in Canadian Fish Carving for a large mouth bass.
Hours are limited to Saturdays, 10am to 2pm and Thursdays 3- 8pm. Artists are also available for appointments most days. 541-325-1586, Royce & 541-475-4235 for the Millers.