Just as there are many things of wonder on our beaches and in our tide pools, the galleries are also full of stunning and spectacular sights. Gallery staff members enjoy talking with and educating people about their artists and the techniques they employ to create such things of beauty.

Summer also means more families and children touring the shops and galleries, which can be an enriching experience.

I have always enjoyed having children in the gallery, said Bronze Coast Gallery owner Kim Barnett. Kids often engage more with sculpture than adults do. … The three-dimensional aspect of sculpture is appealing to them.

Children often mimic the poses and expressions of various sculptures, especially those by Colorado artist Joshua Tobey, who specializes in bronze wildlife sculpture. Bronze Coast Gallery is at the Landing downtown.

Northwest by Northwest

Walking the beach each morning in Cannon Beach is a joy that sustains one throughout any day, said Northwest by Northwest gallery owner Joyce Lincoln. Thats how she balances business with pleasure during the summer.

Plein Air painter Eric Jacobsen and sculptor Georgia Gerber have new works at the gallery, and Gerber is nearly finished with her public sculpture of a mother and baby harbor seals.

DragonFire

Diane Fisher, of DragonFire Gallery, said, Our goal at DragonFire has always been to create an art-buying experience that inspires, educates and is enjoyable. The sheer volume of tourists in summer can make the workload exhausting, and nothing helps us maintain balance more than having fun.

The gallerys atmosphere of vivid colors, imaginative displays, and diverse art collections – including a good dose of whimsy – encourages conversation and laughter.

Artist Nancy Norman makes everyone smile with her fanciful cat paintings. Her newest work, titled, Wild Boy, the Biker, exemplifies the joy of being at the beach. Kimberli Matins recycled metal solar garden art lights up any outdoor area. Tod Steeles joyous paintings of cows and other creatures are a pure delight, adding to the atmosphere of fun and wonder.

Cannon Beach Gallery

The Cannon Beach Gallery is hosting six regional artists in the August Print Invitational, which will run through Sept. 3.

The featured artists are Liza Jones, Paul Miller and Susan C. Walsh, of Manzanita, along with John Clark and Jamie Boyd, of Astoria, and Nicole Rawlins, of Portland.

In addition, Cannon Beach Arts Association intern and recent Clatsop Community College graduate Stirling Gorsuch, will show his monumental linoleum cut print, Full Circle-the Zodiac Series, throughout August.

The giant print was created by laying out 12 different linoleum blocks in an ambitious undertaking that resulted in a breathtaking interpretation of the zodiac.

FotoArt

At George Vetter FotoArt, the summer sale of many interesting and visually stimulating images continues; all are signed, and several are one-of-a-kind photographs.

Vetters website, www.Cannon-Beach.net, has his latest pictures of local events, including Plein Air & More Art Festival and the July 4th parade and festivities.

Jeffrey Hull

A new giclee print from an original watercolor titled Reflections is available at the Jeffrey Hull Gallery.

Hull said of this painting, I love exploring and painting our spectacular coast. Inspiration comes easily with sunset hues bathing the distinctive basalt sea stacks and coastline in dramatic light. When there is little or no wind, the tide pools mirror the sky and rocks, providing a few moments of peace at the end of a beautiful day.

Reflections is available as a limited edition (100 signed and numbered) giclee print in two sizes, 23 by 53 or 14 by 30.

Primary Elements

Primary Elements Gallery has a new display called Traditional Glass Mimics the Antique Design and Method, by Portland artist Ron Rogers.

The three panels displayed at Primary Elements are made with bevels and colors, as well as patterned clear glass, which can hang to transform with the changing light of day or be framed and back-lit as a wall treatment.

Rogers has been repairing 17th and 18th century stained glass panels for an antique shop, which inspired him to imitate the style and methodology that was the tradition in England during that period.

The Cannon Beach Gallery Group is an association of local galleries that work together to pool resources and efforts to promote the arts in Cannon Beach.