Elizabeth Berrien at American Trails

27 N. Main Street, Ashland OR 97550 ~ 541-488-2731
First Friday Art Walk - August 2nd

An innovator and pioneer in the field of contemporary wire sculpture, Elizabeth Berrien integrates textile technique and engineering theory to create a unique, non-traditional medium of hand-twisted wire sculpture in which individual strands of wire are interwoven into resilient and cohesive forms. No other artist has mastered this medium, which Berrien developed over their years of intensive experimentation. Berrien sculptures are personal translations of the inner essence and outer spirit of animals and humans. Works are in museums, galleries, restaurants, parks and private collections worldwide, including:

Disney World/Orlando - Tyrannosaurus Rex, 13 ft. long x 8 ft. high, in McDonald's VIP Lounge at Dino World, Animal Kingdom.

Los Angeles Zoo - Cheetah in Pursuit of Gazelle, and several other creatures, including a California Condor so realistic that zookeepers recognized it as a portrayal of a certain condor under their care.

Louisville International Airport - Pegasus, 13 ft. long & 17 ft. wingspan, central focus of airport, commissioned especially to combat "travel fatigue." Problem is--passengers become so enthralled with the sculpture they've been known to miss their flights!

"It is certainly unique and wonderful.
We have never seen anything like this before."
- Steven Makovenyi, Exhibit Director Smithsonian Institute

27 N. Main Street, Ashland OR 97550 ~ 541-488-2731

August 9-11, Friday through Sunday

American Trails has the privilege of hosting Oaxacan carvers Jacob and Maria Angeles as they demonstrate how they create their fabulous animalista creatures Don't miss this rare opportunity! Oaxaca, pronounced (Wa-HAH-ka) is one of the Mexico's largest and poorest states, yet its folk art and traditions are among the richest. Unsurpassed for their originality, colors and wizardry, Oaxacan wood carvings have become a prized folk art.

Each of the wooden sculptures are hand-carved from the wood of the Copal (or Copalillo) tree. Each piece is hand-sanded and painted in bright and exciting motifs. Oaxacan woodcarvings were featured on the cover of the Smithsonian magazine (May, 1991).

There are two hundred or so families of wood-carvers in the Oaxaca valley. Most are poor farmers who carve when there is nothing pressing to be done in the fields. As with many other Indian groups in Mexico, the Oaxacans are trying to keep their culture alive.