Local artist Nathan Brown loves promoting the arts in Stayton and the Santiam Canyon.
“Nathan is a visionary and a dreamer,” said Elisabeth Brown of her husband. “[H]e taught youth art classes at the Stayton Public Library through their teen program. He loved it, but when the children’s librarian stopped working there, that portion of the program went away as well.”
So, Nathan’s vision shifted to opening The 3rd Easel Gallery in downtown Stayton where local artists could show their work and art classes could be taught to local youth, Brown said.
Brown teamed up with his friend Doug Richardson and a meeting with Teri and John Mesa resulted in renting space at the Marketplace at the Grove. By the end of February, the group had researched the viability of another art gallery in Stayton and was ready to move forward.
“COVID-19 brought these plans to a screeching halt, and Nathan has been advised by a lot of people not to move forward with new business ventures at this time, but a dream is a dream,” Brown said.
The Browns have lived in Stayton for 12 years and are raising their five children, ages six to 18.
“For most of that time, Nathan has been working as a freelance artist and has had his own business called Boopher Arts,” she said.
Nathan Brown creates custom portraits of people and animals, as well as pencil drawings of famous people, ethnically diverse people, horses, and sea life.
“People might have seen some of his work around town,” Brown said. “He is working on a commission with the city to do sidewalk art cartoons downtown this summer.”
The Browns are currently seeking local artists of all mediums to become partner and member artists. July’s featured artist is Geronimo Clark of Aumsville, showcasing works inspired by his Klamath and Navajo Nation heritage.
Kelly Ferber, a Salem-based artist with ties to Stayton, will teach paint party classes for adults beginning in July, while Nathan plans to begin offering a four-week class for youths in late July.
The 3rd Easel Gallery is located at 349 N. Third Ave., Stayton. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday. An opening celebration will be held at a later date. For more information, call Nathan at 503-979-1856, email [email protected] or visit Facebook.
