January 13 – March 6, 2023
Jeanette Best Gallery
701 Water Street, Port Townsend, Washington
GALLERY HOURS: Thursday—Monday Noon to 5 pm
This exhibit celebrates the life and art of longtime friend, gallery designer, and beloved community member Jay Haskins.
Jay had been a part of Northwind Art since its inception as Jefferson Arts Alliance in 2001, through its existence as Northwind Arts Center, and now the galleries that are part of Northwind Art nonprofit arts organization--most notably, Jeanette Best Gallery.
“Jay played a quiet, but visible role in our galleries,” says Teresa Verraes. “Up until July, when we lost Jay peacefully to the great spirit world, Jay continued to design and help with installations—most notably at Jeanette Best Gallery.”
Jay spent the early part of his life in California and attended the Art Center School’s Fine Arts program in Los Angeles for three years, then studied independently with a couple of different artists including Lee Mullican at UCLA. He then worked for a local boatbuilder, painting in the evenings and on weekends.
In time, Jay struck off on his own as a marine woodworker and eventually, with a friend, began a boat design and building business, Pacific Yachts near Marina Del Rey, California. Sometime later, that work gave way to becoming a sailmaker for a few years, all the while still finding time to paint and go to galleries regularly. Since moving to Port Townsend in 1979, in addition to making his art, Jay had done a number of things, including picture framing, printmaking, and playing music in a marimba ensemble for the last twenty years.
In 2006, he helped found Corvidae Press, a local printmaking studio. Along with art, he loved music, poetry, metaphysics, sailing, and designing boats.
“Jay touched many lives with his kindness, love, and passion for art – its creation…and harmonious juxtaposition,” says Verraes. “He is greatly missed, and we hope the people who loved him, and those who want to know more about him, enjoy this memorial tribute in honor of the many years he contributed to our arts community.”
IMAGE: Hannalore by Jay Haskins
Port Townsend LEader Article
EXHIBIT HONORS LONGTIME GALLERY DESIGNER AND ARTIST
Beyond the edge of the everyday lies a landscape of imagination found through introspection.
It’s where Jay Haskins spent much of his time before his recent passing.
Well, there, and exploring the Bahamas.
Haskins was a local artist, poet, musician, sailer, and a founding artist of both the Northwind Arts Center and Corvidae Press, a printmaking guild at Fort Worden whose travels among the seas of creativity matched his adventures across the ocean.
He passed away peacefully on July 23 after a short illness, and to honor his legacy of dedication to the arts there will be a retrospective exhibit of his creations at the Jeanette Best Gallery from Jan. 13 to Feb. 26. READ MORE HERE