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Big Red: Revisited
September 12, 2009
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Big Red: Revisited
A Juried, Multi-Media Art Exhibition
RiverSea Gallery will be presenting a special juried exhibition September 12 - October 6th titled, Big Red: Revisited. The
show features works by regional artists and pays homage to the historic net shed known locally as "Big Red." Guest Juror to
this exhibition will be Royal Nebeker. The opening reception will take place Saturday, September 12, 5 -8 pm.
Big Red, located over the Columbia River near the foot of 31st Street in Astoria is one of the last historical structures
that remains on the shores of the Lower Columbia. This building illustrates the history of the working waterfront and what
was once a major fishing port on the west coast. Built in 1897, the structure was known for many decades as the Union
Fisherman's Cooperative Net Loft. The building was utilized by local fisherman as a place to repair boats and nets, as
well as offering a place of gathering when not working on the river or out at sea. In 1997, the building was purchased
by internationally known artist (and community visionary), Royal Nebeker. It has been Nebeker's goal and dream to not
only preserve this monumental bit of history and culture, but to see the building once again utilized, this time not by
fishermen, but by artists of all disciplines. Nebeker, along with a handful of interested people, has over the years
worked diligently to keep the building standing.
During the December, 2007 storm, the building sustained extensive damage due to hurricane force gales. In a dramatic
burst of wind, Nebeker's studio, which comprised the entire third floor, was ripped from the building and deposited
into the river, along with its entire contents, including paintings that were destined for two exhibitions here in
the Northwest as well as Europe. This event hasn't deterred Nebeker; instead, it has helped the building gain greater
attention as a relic of the past that is worthy of saving.
In August, 2008, The Concert for Big Red, a fundraising event featuring nationally known musicians, drew crowds to
Astoria and media attention to "Big Red." The efforts continue, and with this in mind RiverSea Gallery has asked regional
artists to submit work that reflects thoughts and imagery of this nostalgic building. As Guest Juror, Nebeker will also be
contributing work to the show. Included in the exhibition will be several of his monotypes depicting "Big Red".
Reproduction posters featuring the building will be available during the entire exhibit, with 100% of their purchase
price donated to the building's restoration fund.
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