Bonnie Meltzer
Very Mixed Media Constructions

Crocheted Wire...Digital Photography...Recycled Computer Parts & Other Found Objects...Painted Wood

Bonnie Meltzer is a Portland, Oregon artist who makes very mixed-media constructions from a variety of unusual materials: crocheted wire, recycled computer parts, painted surfaces and digital photography. The juxtaposition of all these materials and techniques makes for fascinating subject matter and rich surfaces. She uses a Macintosh computer both as a design tool and to make design elements. Along with her activities as an artist she lectures and writes about art and technology; the ethics of digital photography and art from recycled materials. She also designs web sites for other artists and arts organizations, including this one.

Bequest
Painted wood, found objects, digital photograph and crocheted wire, 60" X 60"
Made for " Sustaining Change on the American Farm", Maryhill Museum, Goldendale, Washington
Twelve artists, paired with twelve farmers, visited their respective farms then constructed artworks about sustainability.
This artwork is available for exhibition and sale..

News & Events Now & In The Future

In Print and On The Web

See pictures of Meltzer's garden and studio here

Brownie Uniform
painted wood, found objects and crocheted wire

Entangled

Four artists explore the issues of inter connectedness.
See a website about the exhibition and the artists here.

September 2010
Anka Gallery
325 NW 6, Portland, Oregon

First Thursday Reception: September 2 from 6:00 to 10:00
Open House with Artists: September 16 from 4:00 to 7:00

Portland Open Studios

10 x 10 Show
exhibition of almost all 100 artists at
Portland City Hall
Reception, March 4, 2010
5:00 - 8:00, award ceremony at 6:00
more info here

The City of Portland is receiving a Proclamation for its commitment to art, artists and community. Meltzer will be given a service award from Portland Open Studios for her contributions toward making Portland Open Studios grow and flourish.

2010 Tour
October 9,10 & 16,17

Bonnie Meltzer is one of 100 artists who open their studios to the public in October. Ticket information at Portland Open Studios

Check out this story from Neighborhood Notes
talk about Portland Open Studios and pictures of my studio.

In Sight: head & heart
found objects & crocheted wire on painted wood
36 x24x 3

Art Contemplates Industry

Group exhibition about the
decommissioned Bull Run Powerhouse.

Oct 3 - Dec 31, 2009
Mt. Hood Cultural Center & Museum,
at Government Camp, Oregon

January - February 2010
Sandy Library

April 2010
Reception: Sunday, April 11 from 2:00 - 4:00
West Linn Library

May 2010
Portland General Electric Headquarters

at the river getting ideas

Besides the artwork there is a wonderful exhibit of the history of the Bull Run project, from its building to the decommissioning. It puts the artwork in context and gives the whole exhibition richer meaning. It was put together by the Sandy Library but will be at the West Linn Library, too.

Voyage
painted wood with found objects and crocheted wire.
33" x 48"

Three interconnected journey ideas played into the design of “Voyages”.  First, I don't want viewers to forget that the buildings are about electric generation. What we consider so simple an act.-- the turning on of a light -- is in reality a long, complicated journey to our homes.  This determined my use of ordinary electrical artifacts. The second idea was to commemorate the intercity transportation system for which the plant was built. At the beginning of the 20th century thousands of people took the  Bull Run trolley for excursions into nature.  Lastly, while the plant was in operation the salmon had to make arduous journeys up fish ladders.  Even though fish ladders are more like steps, using ladder icons matches the popular word usage,

 Because water is at the center of both the building of the plant and its closure, the word “voyage”  with its water connotation was selected for the title rather than some other word meaning travel.