Central Oregonian

For the love of art

Alpha Omega Gallery owners display their work as well as teach classes for aspiring local artists

October 24, 2011

Artist, David Sherman, and his fiancée, Debra Riggins, are passionate about art — so passionate, in fact, they simply couldn’t store their collection in a storage unit. Instead, they decided it had to be displayed.

For years, Sherman and Riggins had been part of the art culture in Klamath Falls. Sherman is a member of the High Country Artists and is a resident artist at Fable’s Western Art Museum, both in Klamath Falls.

The couple often travelled the distance to Prineville, not only because of family ties, but also because they enjoyed the people of Prineville.

“We just love Prineville,” Sherman said. “The people are so friendly.”

So, one brief month ago, they decided to make the move to Prineville, and everything seemed to fall into place. They rented retail space on Main Street and hung Sherman’s paintings on the wall along with their collection of other art.

“The landlord gave us a really good deal on the rent, so we took the other space next door too,” Sherman said.

They invited some of their artist friends from Klamath Falls to hang work as well, but also want to consign the work of Crook County artists in the gallery.

The gallery is divided into spaces to accommodate three different purposes. One side houses the consignment gallery of art, the back room serves as Sherman’s studio, and the other side is for art classes and craft booths.

“We’re looking for local teachers to do art classes,” Sherman said. “I will be teaching acrylics starting the third of November and already have 10 students lined up.”

Sherman taught art classes for Michael’s Arts and Crafts store in Klamath Falls for 10 years until they discontinued offering all their classes. Sherman is a self-taught artist and has been honing his talent for about 25 years.

“In 2001, he was a finalist in the national Artist’s Magazine art competition,” said Riggins. “And has seven blue ribbons from the county fair.”

Sherman is a self-taught artist, relying largely on North Lights art books and encourages others to try them as well.

“I use a scrubbing technique that I learned from studying the old masters, and sometimes I use glazing. I paint in a clockwise motion and I painted on a bed sheet like Picasso did. During war time, Picasso couldn’t get canvasses,” he explained.

Sherman is an eclectic painter. He said, “I’ve got to paint all of it — I don’t wear blinders.”

“After my first painting sold, I had the bug,” he said.

“One of my hopes is to work with troubled teens. I want to use art to help people. When you put that brush to canvas, it’s a whole new world, and when you are behind the brush, you are the creator,” he said.

The talent in the partnership does not just belong to Sherman. Riggins makes a large variety of walking sticks and offers them for sale through the gallery, as well.

Sherman and Riggins continue to brainstorm about all the possibilities, refining their offerings as time goes on.

They are eager to fill a niche in Prineville and look forward to many new friendships in the community.

Alpha Omega Gallery

Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

Address: 230 N. Main St.

Phone: 541-591-8013

Those who would like to consign their art, teach, or take a class, should stop by or call.

A grand opening is scheduled for all day Nov. 5th, with music and refreshments from 5-7 p.m.