Abstract Sanctuary - Verum Ultimum Art Gallery / Portland

 

Abstract Sanctuary

Thank you Verum Ultimum Art Gallery for the insightful perspective 💚💙

"Spaces everywhere need punctuation in the grammar of visuals.  May Barbara De Pirto’s “Corolla” provide the moment, the pause to breathe in the wonder of unfolding. Barbara creates the most organic paper art forms. My art confession today is that this breathtaking beauty is as singular as the first spring bloom after a bleak winter…indeed an early spring-like sanctuary for the gaze!"

View art HERE

View Virtual Gallery Tour HERE

Verum Ultimum Art Gallery 

1513 SE 42nd, Portland, OR 

Website

Pacific Northwest Perspectives

 

Thank you Lynnwood Event Center for hosting us!

'Pacific Northwest Perspectives', Northwest Designer Craftartists - NWDC.

'Blossom', 'Entangled' & 'Entwined' are included in this exhibition. Opening July 7, runs through Dec 12, 2025.

'Blossom', Painted Papers, Acrylic, Crocheted Stainless Steel Wire

'Entangled', Crocheted Fiber, Acrylic, Stainless Steel Wire Armature

'Entwined', Crocheted Fiber, Acrylic, Stainless Steel Wire Armature

'Exquisite Ornament' at Bainbridge Arts in Crafts

'Corolla' & 'Entangled' are included in 'Exquisite Ornament' at Bainbridge Arts & Crafts on Bainbridge Island, WA. 

The exhibition runs April 5 through April 28, 2024. 

Learn more HERE 

"Throughout human history, our innate inclination towards ornamental expression has woven a rich narrative. As Elizabeth Gilbert eloquently penned, we are artisans driven to render things more beautiful than mere necessity dictates. In this collaboration with Bainbridge Arts and Crafts, we extend an invitation for you to contribute works that bear witness to our inherent desire to adorn not only ourselves but also the spaces and objects that surround us. 

The spectrum of acceptable submissions is broad – from wearable pieces to sculptural objects. Embracing various craft media, including ceramics, wood, fiber, glass, metals or a harmonious blend of these elements, we encourage the exploration of artistic boundaries.

You might craft jewelry from precious metals and stones, or perhaps you'll venture into uncharted territories, transforming recycled materials and repurposed objects into unexpected treasures. For some, this might be an opportunity to reimagine traditional metalsmithing or fiberworking techniques in unconventional forms. Whether your objective is to create something arrestingly captivating, eye-catching, or even dazzling, this exhibition will showcase the ornamental in all its forms."

Artists Include: Candyce Anderson, Lanny Bergner, Cheryl DeGroot, Barbara De Pirro, Mark Ditzler, Kate Dwyer, Gina Freuen, Zia Gipson, Marguerite Goff, Joan Hammond, Lois Harbaugh, Peggy Hitchcock, Steve Jensen, Bella Yongok Kim, Sharon Kita, Dorothy McGuinness, Meg Murch, Gabriela Nirino, April Ottey, Amy Roberts, R. Leon Russell, Laura Stangel Schmidt, Jean- Marie Tarascio, Cynthia Toops, David Traylor, Larkin Jean Van Horn, Barbara J. Walker, Judy Zugish.

 

The Summer issue is here!

Thank you Fiber Art Now!

Blossom will also be included in the 'in person' exhibition at Brattleboro Museum and Art Center, in Brattleboro, Vermont, October 14 through February 11, 2024.

Learn more HERE

 

BIMA Spotlight

Bloom, Entwined & Corolla will be included in the exhibit!

BIMA Spotlight

Jun 30 – Sep 10, 2023

"Bainbridge Island Museum of Art presents BIMA Spotlight, our first-ever juried group exhibition. Six jurors reviewed approximately 3,400 artworks, submitted by 606 artists from the Puget Sound region. The result is a diverse salon-style show, filling the majority of BIMA’s two gallery floors. BIMA Spotlight is part of BIMA’s 10th Anniversary celebration.

The exhibition was not juried along certain themes or art genres; however, several have emerged. These include environmental concerns, social justice issues, art from recycled and repurposed materials, installation work, landscapes, portraiture, and abstract art. Diverse media include: painting; printmaking; photography; sculpture in metal, wood, ceramic, glass, and mixed media; artist’s books; fiber art and textiles; and jewelry art."

Learn MORE about the exhibit.

Interested in seeing how Bloom & Corolla are constructed? 

Here's a short VIDEO of a similar piece.

Bloom, Entwined & Corolla

 

A perfect pairing!

Thank you Dakota Art Gallery for hosting us & Jason Astorquia for sharing these photos!

In celebration of Earth Day my Fiber & Acrylic Sculptures are being exhibited along with Jason Sinclair Astorquia's Paintings. 'The Earth Observed' at Dakota Art Gallery in Bellingham, WA Exhibition runs April - May 2023. Opening Reception April 7th from 6-8:30pm. 

Learn MORE 

 

The Earth Observed

In celebration of Earth Day my Fiber & Acrylic Sculptures 

are being exhibited along with Jason Sinclair Astorquia's Paintings. 

'The Earth Observed' 

Dakota Art Gallery in Bellingham, WA.

April - May 2023

Opening Reception April 7th from 6-10pm.

Learn MORE

Jason Sinclair Astorquia

 

New Online Shop!

 

Our new online shop is now open!

https://nwdesignercraftartists.org/shop/barbara-de-pirro 

Enjoy this short demo video.

CraftForms 2022 Online Gallery

 

The CraftForms 2022 online gallery is up. 

Thank you Wayne Art Center for the feature!

ONLINE GALLERY

Are you local & want to see the exhibit in person?  This Saturday DEC 3 all the opening events begin including the 'Meet the Artists' gallery talk. If you can't make it in person, no worries they will be sharing it online as well. Once the recording becomes available I will do the same. 

The Sculptural Form

 

'The Sculptural Form' "I create environmental, mixed media sculptures. My observations of nature have triggered a profound admiration for its brilliance, resilience and its vulnerability. With each project I strive to create a sense of wonder; enticing the viewer to turn that vision outwards into the natural world, nurturing an understanding of that interconnection and encouraging reflection about our relationship with the environment."

More images & purchasing details HERE

View more videos HERE

Roots & Vines

Remembering "Roots & Vines" in all it's various translations, both within interior spaces & temporarily in nature. This series of works was originally inspired by the invasive ivy that strangles our Pacific Northwest forests. Each individual structure was created using invasive plastic bags, cut into strips then crocheted into roots & vines.

Special thanks to Bellevue Arts & Culture, CoCA (Center on Contemporary Art), Matzke Fine Art Gallery and Sculpture Park,  Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, Schack Art Center and Storefronts Seattle.

View more videos HERE

NWCRAFT21

NWCRAFT21

NOV 8 - JAN 3, 2022

Allied Arts Association - Gallery at the Park in Richland, WA

NWCraft21 is Northwest Designer Craftsmen’s second annual virtual benefit exhibition featuring the newest work of Northwest Designer Craftsmen member artists.

This is an annual virtual exhibition designed to benefit venues dedicated to exhibiting fine craft: museums, art centers and galleries.

 NWDC values Allied Art’s dedicated leadership to fine craft in our region and their expressed interest in supporting regional artists.

View artwork & purchasing details HERE

"Keeping Tabs"

Aluminum Pull Tabs, Crocheted Stainless Steel Wire

"Petals"

Painted Papers, Acrylic, Crocheted Stainless Steel Wire

 

Sneak Peek: Art of Recycling - Schack Art Center

 

"The environmental installation “Kelp Forest” is created using reclaimed plastic bottles. The artist collected, washed, cut and reassembled over 200 one gallon containers for this project. Her preparation process involves the removal of the spout, handle and bottom of each bottle, hand-cutting each into narrow strips to create long spirals. Each of these strips were cut into segments then stitched and woven into individual kelp strands. “Kelp Forest” invites visitors to walk around its ghostly form, imagining the beauty and fragility of our oceans but envisioning a hopeful and healthier future."

"Cluster installation is a reimagining of materials collected from our waste stream. These multi-colored sculptures are constructed using nonrecyclable plastics that would otherwise be discarded. Each strip is cut into segments, folded then woven into a crocheted stainless steel structure. The artist strives to create a sense of wonder; enticing the viewer to turn that vision outwards into the natural world, in turn encouraging reflection about our relationship with the environment."

'Art of Recycling - Repurpose with a Purpose' exhibit at Schack Art Center in Everett, WA runs April 1 through June 5. Learn more plus see the full list of participating artists HERE 

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Special thanks to Preview Art Magazine and Everett Herald for the highlight! 

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Inspired by this exhibition "Art of Recycling", I'll be offering an online workshop 'Environmental Sculptures' on May 15. More details HERE

Art of Recycling - Schack Art Center

 Art of Recycling- Repurpose with a Purpose

Schack Art Center

April 1 – June 5

I will have several sculptures & two art installations included in this exhibit!

"Participating artists showcase their creativity by turning otherwise discarded materials into works of art. This exhibit aims to shine a spotlight on the environmental, social, and emotional impact of waste as well as explore new ideas about recycling and repurposing.

Though these artists come from widely diverse backgrounds, they all share a common bond: the ability to transform waste objects into works renewed beauty, utility and meaning."

Learn more HERE

Sheltered: Artists Respond to COVID-19

Sheltered: Artists Respond to COVID-19

January 14 – March 20 

Schack Art Center

"My artwork has always reflected my fascination & appreciation of nature; however, the importance of this has been profoundly reinforced during the pandemic. My daily rural walks have not only nurtured but have continued to inspire me, increasing my desire to highlight this invaluable resource. The pandemic has also prompted me to continue to explore new materials & methods. In the past several years I've created environmental sculptures & installations using reclaimed plastics. Not only is this no longer a safe option but I was creatively ready for a change. In my new series of sculptures I'm now translating some of these same forms using a combination of fiber, paper, acrylic & wire. Using familiar methods & techniques in unconventional ways, the process of making becomes an art meditation, a time of reflection & healing."

This exhibit explores each artists' individual response to challenges faced during the pandemic. Some have continued to create in similar ways, others have created entirely new ways and workflows. Examine the pieces and the inspiration behind them in Sheltered: Artists Respond to COVID-19. 

See the full list of exhibiting artists HERE 

 

NWCraft20 Virtual Exhibit

'Corolla' is included in the NWCraft20 virtual exhibition juried by Ben Heywood, Chief Curator and Executive Director of Bellevue Arts Museum.

The exhibition dates are November 27, 2020 - January 3, 2021 at the BAM Museum Store HERE

Learn more about Northwest Designer Craftsman 

 

Small Works!

Small sculptural works now in my DePirroStudio Shop, 

with more to come!

CLICK HERE

to see the latest...

Currents 2020 - Schack Art Center

'Thistle', Painted Papers, Acrylic & Crocheted Stainless Steel Wire.

Currents 2020

March 5 – May 31

Northwest Designer Craftsmen (NWDC) presents Currents 2020, a national invitational juried exhibition, symposium and weekend of masterclasses from March 5 - April 11, 2020. Currents 2020, in partnership with the Schack Art Center, commemorates the 65th anniversary of NWDC's mission to promote excellence in design and craftsmanship, and stimulate interest and appreciation for craft in and beyond the Northwest region.

This groundbreaking effort offers a nationally curated craft exhibition in tandem with a dynamic panel session of leading figures in the 21st century craft movement, as well as master classes taught by nationally renowned artists in a variety media.

A juried regional membership organization, NWDC serves makers in Washington, Montana, Alaska, Oregon and Idaho. Currents 2020, a National Craft Exhibition is an innovative effort, because it features 40 established and rising stars in the American Craft movement from beyond the northwest region, all invited by a panel of esteemed jurors. Their creations, juxtaposed with the NWDC artists, will inspire and provoke exciting conversations regarding regional differences and the current state of American craft in the 21st century.

"Most importantly, the Northwest region has not experienced a National Exhibition and Symposium of this caliber and scale in recent memory.  The opportunity to dialog, learn from and influence craft artists of the future will have a lasting effect on the health and future of the American craft movement." - Michael Monroe, Currents 2020 Chief Juror and Curator

Exhibition jurors and panel sessions will be led by:

Michael W. Monroe, Director Emeritus, Bellevue Art Museum (BAM), Bellevue, Washington, Curator-in-Charge, Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC., 1995 Honorary Fellow of the American Craft Council.

Nora Atkinson, Lloyd Herman Curator of Craft, Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC., Curator, Bellevue Arts Museum (BAM), Bellevue, Washington.

Bruce Pepich, Executive Director and Curator of Collections, Racine Art Museum (RAM), Racine, Wisconsin, 2012 Honorary Fellow of the American Craft Council.

More Details HERE

'Thistle', Painted Papers, Acrylic & Crocheted Stainless Steel Wire.

NWDC Currents at Museo Gallery

'Petals' (detail), Painted Papers, Acrylic, Crocheted Stainless Steel Wire

Museo Gallery on Whidbey Island is pleased to host a juried NWDC members exhibition. This show runs concurrently with the Currents 2020 National Craft Exhibition and Symposium at Schack Art Center in Everett, WA. 

Exhibition Dates: March 6-30

Opening reception March 7th 5-7 pm

MUSEO Gallery

215 First Street/PO Box 548

Langley, WA 98260

360.221.7737

www.museogallery.net

'Petals', Painted Papers, Acrylic, Crocheted Stainless Steel Wire

Basketry Now

Basketry Now

The National Basketry Association was delighted to present it's 10th biennial exhibition, celebrating it's 20th anniversary. This exhibition was held in conjunction with the 2019 Biennial Conference at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY. It included established artists who have been involved with basketry for a number of years, along with emerging new makers.

Take a quick video peek inside HERE

Learn more about NBO HERE

Purchase a copy of the catalog HERE