Holdfast: Natural fibers, photography and brownies!

The August opening reception at the Coast Highway Art Collective is going to be a fun and interactive afternoon for art and brownie lovers. On Saturday, Aug 2, from 3 to 7pm, the opening reception “Holdfast,” features a mother-in-law, daughter-in-law team, Rozann Grunig, photography and Rachel Grunig, hand-dyed fiber art. During the reception, the community is invited to be the judge for a brownie face-off, featuring six bakers vying for the title of Best Brownies on the Coast.

Rachel Grunig is an emerging visual artist and natural dyer whose work is deeply rooted in environment and season. Starting with color found in local flora, Rachel’s process forges a connection between what the earth provides and what we’ve built upon it. 

“I am a natural dyer and self-taught weaver smitten with the ever-shifting color effects of plants” Rachel says. “Growing and gathering close to home, my dyeing process unfurls over time and is intimately linked to location and season. I am currently working with recycled silk ribbons. Whether weaving on a frame or in space, my intention is to expand the viewer’s awareness of the scale and tone of their surroundings, creating a new world to inhabit while at the same time intensifying and celebrating its existing character.”

Rozann Grunig’s photographs compliments Rachel’s artisan fiber art by displaying macro visions of flora and fauna, many used by Rachel in her dyes. “I’ve always loved macro photography, but I’ve been a bit distracted over the past several years with a new art form,” Rozann explains. “After moving to Seattle, I went to pastry school and now create edible art in flour, sugar and butter. For this exhibit, I wanted to create photos that are a departure for me, as my previous work was mainly landscapes inspired by the beauty of the Mendonoma Coast. Although the Pacific North West is gorgeous, I just haven’t been moved by it as I was while living here. Working with Rachel on this exhibit has provided an opportunity to rediscover my love of photography again.”

The brownie face-off idea happened by chance while Ling-Yen Jones and Rozann Grunig were having coffee at the White Cap in Anchor Bay last year. They were discussing baking when another patron said he had the best brownie recipe ever. It was a challenge that could not go unanswered!  There are now six contestants who will bring brownies to the opening reception on Aug. 2. The public will be the judges, tasting samples and voting for their favorite.

📌 Also coming up: Save the date for our September Pop-Up with painter Michael Conner and poet John Allen Cann, celebrating the release of their collaborative book, Brevities, on Friday, Sept. 26 from 3–7 PM.

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