PORT TOWNSEND — New works by Port Townsend artist Loran Scruggs are on display now through April at Taps at the Guardhouse at Fort Worden through the Art in Public Places program.
An opening reception, with a no-host bar, is set for 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Taps at the Guardhouse, Building 300 at Fort Worden.
Scruggs also will be one of the artists featured at the Port Townsend Gallery at 715 Water St., and will attend a reception there from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday during the Port Townsend Gallery Walk.
Scruggs has been making works out of tin cans since 1991; primarily working in 3D then, creating patterns on paper and then transferring them to tin.
Her newest work is a series of hearts just in time for Valentine’s Day.
“My art work is about joy, play and reuse,” she said. “My work references childhood, as that was a time of the most play. Play is a time of being in the moment, no past or future worries, a time of joy.
“I’m attracted to reuse, too, because it requires creative thinking (play) to re-purpose something anew. I also reuse images for the challenge of recreating them in another medium.”
Inspired by the Washington State Arts Commission program, Fort Worden’s Art in Public Places began in May 2016.
“Our intention is to encourage and support the local, creative community,” said Megan Claflin, Fort Worden public relations manager, and exhibit curator.
“By introducing residents and visitors to the one-of-a-kind works of local artists, we can offer a distinct and memorable experience, one that will empower audiences to share the story of Jefferson County’s unique arts community with others in our region and beyond.”
To date, more than a dozen artists have displayed their work through the program. They include Jesse Joshua Watson, Chris Witkowski, Meg Kaczyk, Helga Winter, Mike Biskup, Wanda Mawhinney and Mary O’Shannassy.
The program has also expanded through collaborations and partnerships with the Port Townsend School of the Arts, Northwind Arts Center and Centrum.
Taps is open to all ages from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
For more information, visit Taps at the Guardhouse on Facebook or online at fortworden.org/.
To learn more about exhibiting through the Art in Public Places program, email mclaflin@fortworden.org.
The work of Loran Scruggs is the focus of the Art in Public Places program at Fort Worden.
The work of Loran Scruggs is the focus of the Art in Public Places program at Fort Worden.
