Newport Visual Arts Center

09/05/2026

September kicks off the season of creativity on the Coast!

Newport’s Festival of Arts & Culture brings people together to experience art, music, food, local traditions and community celebrations throughout the fall.

Follow along as we explore the people, places and experiences behind it all. Creativity is in the Water.

www.discovernewport.com/festival

09/05/2026

CALL FOR PROPOSALS: OCCA is now accepting proposals for the 2027 Newport Paper and Book Arts Festival! We are looking for one- and two-day workshops and welcome new and innovative techniques as well as traditional processes, including but not limited to: Assemblage, Book Arts, Collage, Dyeing, Mixed Media, Paper Making, Paper Manipulation, Printing, Specialty Binding Techniques, and Surface Design. Get all the details here: coastarts.org/newport-paper-book-arts-festival/about

09/04/2026

Join us for the opening reception today from 5-7pm.

“Healing Rhythms,” a show of Dixon’s functional ceramics, opens Friday at the Newport Visual Arts Center.

09/03/2026

Don't miss your chance to take home a piece of Nye Beach! The 18th Annual Nye Beach Banner Auction kicks off October 25, with bidding opening online at 3pm, and closing October 29th. Join us for the auction kickoff party at Newport Visual Arts Center from 2-5pm on Sunday, October 25th. You'll get to view all 33 stunning banners, meet some of the talented local artists behind them, and enjoy music and refreshments while celebrating another year of community art. Every banner sold supports OCCA's youth arts, so place your bids and help keep creativity thriving on the Oregon Coast!

Learn more at coastarts.org/events/nye-beach-banner-auction

09/01/2026

Please note: The VAC galleries will be closed Wednesday and Thursday, and until 5pm Friday, as we work to install three new exhibits. Please join us for an opening reception on Friday, September 4th from 5-7pm! Learn more about our new exhibits here: coastarts.org/exhibits

08/31/2026

THIS WEEKEND: Join us for the debut of HEALING RHYTHMS, a new ceramics exhibit by local artist Taunette Dixon, on view September 4 - November 1, 2026 at Newport Visual Arts Center. Exploring the heart of art creation’s ability to provide profound emotional healing, while sharing her affinity and respect for the ocean as a four-generation fishing family, Dixon’s pottery offers a variety of functional vessel forms each full of carved markings in which her glazes play and shine.

Opening Reception: Friday, September 4th from 5-7pm featuring music and light refreshments. All are welcome; admission is free

Learn more at coastarts.org/events/exhibit-healing-rhythms

08/31/2026

ON DISPLAY THIS WEEKEND: Join us for TRANSGRESSORS, a special touring exhibition on display September 4 - October 18 in the Runyan Gallery at the Newport Visual Arts Center. The exhibit presents present and future Indigiqueer ancestors who move beyond boundaries in both life and art. Curated by Indigenous artists and advocates Felix Furby (Grand Ronde, Chinook) and Anthony Hudson (Grand Ronde, Siletz), Transgressors explores the long history, cultural roles, and evolving identities of Two Spirit people within their tribal worlds, while highlighting ongoing efforts toward cultural revitalization. The exhibition features work by a.c.ramírez de arellaño, Evan Benally Atwood, Geo Soctomah Neptune, Jeffrey Gibson, Lehuauakea, Qahir-beejee Peco, Roin Morigeau, Steph Littlebird, and Walter Scott.

Opening Reception & Artists Talks: Saturday, September 19, 5-7pm (PRIDE weekend). All are welcome; admission is free.

Learn more at coastarts.org/events/transgressors

08/31/2026

OPENING FRIDAY: Join us for the debut of YEAR OF THE FIRE HORSE, a new exhibit on view September 4 - November 1, 2026 at Newport Visual Arts Center. Local artists Cynthia Jacobi, Marcy Kenyon, Marilyn Burkhardt, Marion Moir, and Charlotte Van Zant-King explore the mystic strength and adventurous spirit of horses through a variety of mediums, including wooden sculpture, watercolor, collage, linocut printmaking, acrylic, wax, and ceramics.

Opening Reception: Friday, September 4th from 5-7pm featuring music and light refreshments. All are welcome; admission is free

Learn more at coastarts.org/events/year-of-fire-horse

08/29/2026

Unleash your creativity and discover the art of clay in "Pinch, Pull, and Coil" - a 5-week introductory hand-building ceramics class with instructor Callum Marks. Thursday evenings, September 24 - October 22, from 5-7pm at Newport Visual Arts Center. Start by making pinch pots to learn the basic properties of clay and get comfortable playing with mud, then move on to building up forms with coils, and, finally, make functional pieces using slabs of clay. This class will be geared towards beginners, with optional projects available for more experienced students. Students will leave the class with several clay creations glazed and fired, as well as the foundational knowledge to continue exploring the world of clay. All materials will be provided. Learn more at coastarts.org/events/hand-building-ceramics

08/22/2026

THIS THURSDAY: 🎨 Working on a watercolor, gouache, or ink project you'd love more time for?
Open Studio – Water Media Painting gives you the space, the time, and an instructor in your corner. Robin Berry will be on hand to offer guidance on your individual goals — while you paint alongside a community of fellow artists learning from each other.

Next opportunity:
Thursday, August 27, 5-7, $15
(Bring your own supplies and paper.)

Learn more at coastarts.org/events/open-studio-class-water-media-painting-2