This event recap is provided by Events Assistant Liz Crandall.
Community members recently gathered at Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts & Agriculture for the eighth Open Studio of the season, where they heard from the current residents: writer Beth Alvarado, ceramicist Mychelle Moritz, and multidisciplinary artist and photographer Ebenezer Galluzzo.
A beautiful, sunny afternoon set the stage for attendees to divide up into three groups, which rotated between Ebenezer’s prints in the “Old Shop” studio, Mychelle’s ceramic pieces in the “Pickle Room” studio, and Beth’s reading in the classroom.
Tales Along the Camino & Writing Challenges with Beth Alvarado
Settled in the classroom, folks gathered around to listen to Artist in Residence and author Beth Alvarado (she/her) as she shared an excerpt of a nonfiction piece Time in the Shape of Hills. Beth also discussed an anecdote about a time she wrote about and quoted one of her children, who then became upset after reading it. Now, if she features any direct quotes in her writings, she runs them by the subject before publishing.
On the whiteboard behind her, Beth offered challenges she often faces as discussion points:
- Breaking through writer’s block.
- Writing about something so many have already written about.
- Writing about [her] children.
During her time at The Ranch, Beth has focused on writing a 300-page book, a much larger format than her previous projects. She compared writing nonfiction to sculpting – rather than making something out of nothing, you’re paring down and focusing on the details.
A Clay-zy Idea & Understanding Invasive Species with Mychelle Moritz
A previous resident from last year, Mychelle Moritz (she/her) came back for another 2-week stay at PMRCAA. Continuing her invasive species series project, she has five pieces currently in progress. Mychelle has experimented using various types of clay, an experiment during her time here as well as exploring trees and root systems which she integrates into her ceramics practice. Located in the “Pickle Room” Studio, Mychelle has been working with clay and using the kiln next door to fire her unique pieces. Each session ended on a playful note while she provided clay that attendees could play with, too!
A Collaborative Quilt & Queer Love with Ebenezer Galluzzo
Using the alternative photographic process, cyanotype, Ebenezer (he/him) targets the feelings and questions surrounding what it means to belong to a place, a community and belonging within yourself. Focusing on human hands and other body elements, he manipulates and collages the imagery into final pieces that vary in size.
During his time here, Ebenezer has focused on making connections in various ways. While his current project draws from the queer community in Portland, during his residency time Ebenezer has met with and photographed the hands of those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ here in the Central Oregon area.
Additionally, Ebenezer brought a previous collaborative project in the form of a Holobiont Quilt, which consists of cyanotypes made on fabric of hands. This community project emphasizes unity, acceptance and friendship by bringing folks to the table for quilting and conversation. A special thank you to all those who came specifically for this time together!
After the Visits
All three residents enjoyed having the opportunity to connect with community members and were grateful to the attendees for taking time to attend the Open Studio and participate in conversations.
Thank you to our residents and community members for making the eighth Open Studio event a success. Our next Open Studio is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7, 2025. During this event, guests will hear from printmakers Roberta Lavadour, Catherine Alice Michaelis, and Christy Turner.
Photos by PMRCAA
