On the Oregon Coast, getting up close and personal with the elements of nature is pretty easy to do. In fact, it’s why many of us choose to call the coast our home; the sight of the water, sound of the wind, the feel of sand under our feet as we warm ourselves at a summer beach fire.

Stephanie Ansley of Primary Elements Gallery in Cannon Beach loves the up-close-and-personal relationship she has with the elements as well, both in nature and in her gallery. The name of her business suggests the focus of the art she represents.

“Primary Elements Gallery evolved from the concept of art inspired by elemental forms,” Ansley writes on her Web site. “Nature is the flow of life that nurtures. It exists in balance and symmetry in various forms that we all understand. It restores with its color and beauty.” One visit to her gallery is proof of this: colorful glass, one-of-a-kind handmade wooden furniture, impressive bronzes, and visual art with a nod to the power of nature.

Ansley has lived in Cannon Beach for seven years. An advocate for living life with gusto and following one’s heart, she turned a career in fashion into a related but to her, more meaningful career in art.

A long stint in Maui’s art world segued into life on the mainland-Manzanita was the first recipient of Ansley’s passion for art. She created Primary Elements Gallery there, and for three years represented local and national artists before moving to Cannon Beach.

Her space is located upstairs in Sandpiper Square, adjacent to the Jeffrey Hull gallery. In fact, it was Hull who led her to the space.

“Primary Elements was the first place Jeffrey showed his work outside of his own gallery,” Ansley remembers. “We had such a good working relationship. And now we’re neighbors.”

Though no longer a member of the Cannon Beach Gallery Group, she asserts that she has a collegial relationship with the organization. Her gallery is a good example of the kind of collaboration that takes place in Cannon Beach for the Spring Unveiling. As with the CBGG members, Primary Elements host a variety of events throughout the weekend of April 30 to May 2.

Primary Elements shows both local and nationally recognized artists in a variety of media.

“I show fine furniture in exotic hardwoods by many Oregon and Northwest Furniture Guild members,” she says. “Every piece of glass, pottery, sculpture; stained, blown, and fused glass is a one-of-a-kind.”

The gallery also houses fine art originals and prints, metal art, recycled metalwork, and steel and bronze sculptures. Artists include Sophy Brown, Brad Lorang, Ben Dye, Greg Congleton, Josh Henrie, Ron Rogers and local artists Roger Crosta, Bill Supak, and Ken Fox. Many of these artists will be showing new work.

For the Spring Unveiling weekend, Primary Elements will host Greg Congleton, who will be sculpting “live” in the gallery. Darlene Pfahl will also be on hand, demonstrating her jewelry making, and fisher poet Dave Densmore will read from his new book.

Stephanie loves to have her artists in progress at the gallery.

“It’s so beneficial for the customers; especially the kids,” she says. “They can see that this is how a bronze statue starts, or this painting, or whatever. Like me, I didn’t go to art school; watching my artists is how I learned.”

Also on hand will be artist Sophy Brown, whose work has appeared in Cowboys & Indians magazine, and is silk-screened onto high-end western clothing items bearing the Rockmount Ranchwear brand. The artist is currently at work on a piece depicting horses and Haystack Rock. Her “unveiling” will take place at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 1, followed by a catered reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Stop by the gallery and connect with artists in their element throughout the Spring Unveiling weekend.

For more information on Primary Elements’ Spring Unveiling events, visit the gallery at 172 North Hemlock in Sandpiper Square, call (503) 436-0220, or visit www.primaryelementsgallery.com online.

Click here to view the Spring Unveiling PDF