Sunriver Resort Lodge Betty Gray Gallery presents The West, East of the Cascades opening September 11, through October 6. The exhibition celebrates the Western heritage of Central Oregon and features works in varied mediums by Gary Alvis, Joanne Donaca, Bill Logan, Robert Schlegel and Vicki Shuck.

 

Cattle drives from Central Oregon to The Dalles for inland shipping were common when stock raising was the area’s major industry prior to the turn of the century. Many regional rodeos, including Sisters and Pendleton, pay homage to the area’s heritage as does the exhibition that features western cowboy and rodeo images.

 

Alvis shows his remarkable and unusual photo of the now discontinued Rock Springs Guest Ranch cattle drive. A photographer in Bend for over 40 years, the majority of his photography is of artist’s work.

 

Bend artist Joanne Donaca, born and raised in Ontario, shows oils of cowboy scenes including that of a recent cattle drive in Central Oregon. Her paintings also feature other cowboys at work and at play.

 

Logan, working in graphite, shows a rodeo barrel racer, working cowboys and calf-roping. The images reflect his life-long interest in horses beginning with his youth in Montana and retirement in Bend.

 

Robert Schlegel, former school superintendent returning to art, shows non-traditional, large horses in bright acrylic loosely based on photos of horses around his home in Banks, Oregon. Another life-long artist, this work recognizes his continuing transition from realism to expressionism.

 

Shuck shows young cowgirls in oil attending the Sister’s Rodeo, bucking broncos with riders and other rodeo scenes. Raised in the Klamath Basin, Shuck’s family was rodeo participants and her mother a rodeo queen.

 

Sunriver Resort invites the public to view the exhibition at the resort during Lodge hours. Billye Turner organizes the Sunriver Resort Lodge art exhibits with info at 503-780-2828 or billyeturner@bendnet.com

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