This extraordinary duo exhibit began with a trip into the woods outside of town, to look inside painter Randy Sturgis’ studio.

Northwind Art Executive Director Martha Worthley had heard about Sturgis’ work, and was eager to see for herself.

Walking in, she was enchanted.

“Randy’s paintings take the viewer on a journey across the canvas. His forms are organic, and your eye is constantly moving, landing on new, intriguing details,” Worthley says.

Then she and curator Suzanne Lamon started dreaming up a show at Jeanette Best Gallery. They wanted to pair paintings with sculpture, to create a rich gallery environment. They went looking for a sculptor, and found Peter Koronakos. He creates assemblage animals — toothy ones, creatures with wheels and handles and silverware.  

The result is New Work by Randy Sturgis and Peter Koronakos, presenting more than 40 creations by these two makers.

A celebration of the show will happen at the gallery during first-Saturday Art Walk on April 4, when the artists will be on hand and refreshments served from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Koronakos has shown his sculptures in Northwind Art’s Small Expressions and Showcase 2025,  and this new exhibition will bring a much larger herd of them. Koronakian creatures — mammals, birds of all sizes, a whole school of fish — are made of vintage odds and ends.

The artist uses these ingredients, from brooms and rakes to spoons, game boards and tennis rackets, to give his animals character. Koronakos is a largely self-taught sculptor, while he holds degrees in anthropology.

Sturgis, an alumnus of the Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design, said he has wanted to be an artist ever since he discovered the art room at his public school in Colorado. Sculptors and painters through the ages inspire him, from Michelangelo, El Greco and Georgia O’Keeffe to Lockwood “Woody” Dennis of Port Townsend.  

“Such amazing shoulders to stand upon,” Sturgis says. His paintings, made with acrylic, oil and charcoal, are sometimes created in honor of his artist mentors, and sometimes in response to an international event.

“I’m interested in making [paintings] that are high quality, and that are enjoyable, and maybe challenging,” says the artist.

When working, he tries to stay out of his own way, and allow emotions to flow onto the canvas.

Worthley notes that people who venture inside this Jeanette Best Gallery exhibit will find two artists who use shapes and colors in unexpected, dramatic ways. At the same time, their two palettes harmonize with each other.

Koronakos’ sculptures appear whimsical at first, “but on closer inspection, they reveal remarkable ingenuity. Found objects become integral parts of his animals—a wire whisk as a tail, forks as paws — with teeth always meticulously crafted,” Worthley says.  

“Initially, the idea was that serious, contemplative painting could be complemented by playful, humorous sculpture. But in fact there is also playfulness in the painting and seriousness in the sculpture.

“This exhibition invites you to experience two very different approaches to making art — and   encourages you to notice new possibilities.”

More about the artists

Peter Koronakos sets out to make sculptures that bring to life the essence of an animal: the squirreliness of a squirrel, the monkeyness of a monkey. He researches particular mannerisms and habits — the tilt of the head, the way the tail is held.

It all starts, however, with materials: vintage, everyday bits and pieces and found objects that show wear, patterns of use and patina. These give his animals their personalities.

“I am constantly acquiring interesting objects, and, on my workbench, the pieces will jockey themselves into piles from which an animal is created,” Peter says. Largely self-taught, he has been making animal sculptures for more than 25 years.

Also fascinated with human behavior, Peter earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in anthropology from Western Michigan University and California State University, Chico, respectively. He lives in Port Townsend.

Randy Sturgis of Port Townsend has always dreamed of being an artist.

Growing up near Denver in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Randy went to public school, where he found refuge in the art department. When he was 13, his parents sent him to oil painting lessons with local artist Ruth Turner.

He went on to study fine art at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo., on a work-study scholarship, and then to Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design in Denver. It was there he met his best friend and future wife, Sandy.

In Washington state since 1982, Randy has maintained a studio practice and taught fine art and design courses — from life drawing to art history — to adults and children.

Randy admires and draws inspiration from numerous painters and sculptors, from Michelangelo and El Greco to Joan Mitchell, Georgia O'Keeffe, Peter Doig and Woody Dennis.

“Being an artist,” Randy writes, “is the best job in the entire world.”