Like a migratory bird, a young single mother of three flew into town, not knowing much about Ocean Shores, but ready for something different. 

That was 33 years ago, and, when she nested here, Marge McBride sure found something different . . . Ocean Shores took her family off the beaten path, and she in turn helped pave the foundation for what is now a bustling little art scene.

Marge McBride was living in the Portland area with her daughter, Julie, and sons Parker and Martin, when, as the humble, graceful woman tells it:

“I was at the Oregon State Fair, and Ocean Shores had a booth there. You signed up for a  weekend in Ocean shores. So I did. Then they send you a thing saying you have a free weekend. I came up for that, and they took you around in a Jeep.

(Photos by Stuart May)

If you think Ocean Shores is a sleepy little town with no creative spirit, you haven’t met Kelly May, or browsed through her electric Fusions Gallery.

In eight years, Fusions has added a little cutting-edge and unpredictable flair. It has developed into a nice complement to Gallery Marjuli, which has long been the high-water mark in North Beach art.

The driving force behind Fusions is Kelly May, living proof of a few counter-intuitive things:

-Contrary to the words of F. Scott Fitzgerald, you can have an Act II, in life.

-Contrary to conventional wisdom, a “different” business can succeed.

-Contrary, perhaps, to sanity, you can do something without the, so to speak, proper training.

-Contrary to medical advice, you can work your brains out with 60 hour weeks, and have fun doing it.

A vibrant, spunky blonde sporting chic glasses and a bright, contemporary outfits, Kelly May tosses off one-liners like a newsboy flinging papers.

Our own former intern Jonathan Olson has created a terrific new site for local artists: Harbor Hands.

Jerri Shrader, Margaret Herd, Laila Silva (her winner is pictured, above), Judy Horn and Stuart May were some of the big winners at last weekend’s Associated Arts of Ocean Shores Fine Art & Photography Show.  

The Convention Center was a giant gallery, as visitors and locals grazed upon a staggering variety of art. 

Among the local winners:

For the Associated Arts Photo and Fine Arts show, April 3-5. Click here for info.

Ocean Shores’ artist Margaret (Peggy) Stermer-Cox has been accepted into  the 2009 CVG Show, a state-wide juried art show held at the Collective Visions Gallery in Bremerton. Her “Café, Espresso and Daisy,” done in watercolor and acrylic, is one of 130 artworks chosen, from over 800 works submitted by artists throughout Washington. Accepted artists will be competing for $8,000 in prizes and awards and will be on display at CVG, through Feb. 27. 

press release on a show at Coldwell Banker in Ocean Shores:

Award Winning Artist Susan LaMadrid Shows at Coldwell Banker

“Renata and Steve Andrews of Coldwell Banker are pleased to announce the  exhibit of works by local artist Ms. Susan LaMadrid. The newly displayed artwork includes watercolors and photographs of local, regional and international (Portugal) locations. Susan has always had a fascination with many forms of art, including piano, gourmet cooking and needlework. But, when she and her husband retired to Ocean Shores, Susan was able to pursue a new passion for watercolor painting and photography. Show CoCurator Ms. Peggy Stermer-Cox says “The paintings and photos on display show a keen visual interest in the land, nature and architecture. Susan paints kites and old buildings; shoots waves, birds and delightful moments”.

Susan LaMadrid has earned awards in the Associated Arts Fine Arts and 

Photography Show for her paintings and photography. Her watercolor 

painting “Kites, Kites and More Kites” was selected for the Associated 

Arts of Ocean Shores (AAOS) Fine Arts Show Poster 2008. An active participant in local arts, Susan is the chair of the photography portion of this year’s art and photography show.

You are invited to come see Susan LaMadrid’s paintings at Coldwell Banker during business hours at no charge to the public. Coldwell Banker is located at 749 Point Brown Ave NW, Suite 1, in Ocean Shores, WA.

Peggy Jo Klumb at work, in Gallery Marjuli early this afternoon. She and stained glass artist Terri McManus will be at the gallery (865 Pt. Brown Ave.) today until 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. No charge to see the artists at work, plus there are free refreshments . . .