Combine Art Collective celebrates first anniversary

Local artists Wayne Chabre and Jeanne McMenemy create special show for the occasion

WALLA WALLA-Combine art collective is celebrating its one-year anniversary with featured artists Wayne Chabre, sculptor, and Jeanne McMenemy, owner of Calligraphica. Though there will be no reception, a showing of the artist's work will be available for viewing beginning Thursday, September 3 at the gallery's regular business hours.

Wayne Chabre, born in Walla Walla, graduated with a B.A. in Art from Gonzaga University and served in the Peace Corps in Africa as a graphic artist for the Agricultural Information Service. After his Peace Corps service, he lived and worked in Oregon, met and married Jeanne McMenemy, and returned to Walla Walla, where the two have since collaborated on one son, Ara, and a perennial art and restoration project of their 134-year-old Victorian home.

In his singular art pursuits, Chabre is a sculptor who has received major public commissions from the University of Oregon, the Oregon Arts Commission, the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA), the Doernbecher Children's Hospital and Oregon Zoo in Portland, the Spokesman-Review Newspaper (Cole Publishing), Spokane, Tri-Met Transit, Portland, Multnomah County, OR, the City of Stockton, CA, City of Jacksonville, FL, and the City of Seattle. On Walla Walla's Main Street, Chabre's popular sculpture, "Guard Pigeon," stands proudly observing the Liberty Theatre. At the same time, the collaboration from Chabre and McMenemy of "Delicate Balance" graces the corner intersection of Main, Park, and Boyer Streets. Chabre's Fanny Weller sculpture sits in front of the Weller Public Library.

In addition to commissioned public sculpture, Chabre has won multiple awards in NW gallery show exhibits and also displayed work in Lake Oswego, OR, Gallery Without Walls, and the San Juan Island Sculpture Park. He is represented by The Art Spirit Gallery, Coeur d'Alene, ID.

Jeanne McMenemy was raised in Portland, OR, and studied violin, painting, design, and ceramics attending Whitman College, Montana State University, and Portland State University.

Jeanne's art career includes that of being a Portland studio potter from 1972-76, creating functional ceramic ware as private commissions and for sale in galleries. After the move to Walla Walla, she continued to produce pottery for ten years while studying and refining her calligraphy skills through classes and workshops in OR and CA. McMenemy worked as a graphic designer at the Walla Walla Public Library, at Coffey Communications, and extensively with ArtWalla. She was Art Director for "Windows on the Past," the downtown mural project in Heritage Park. Having taught both ceramics and calligraphy in Portland and the Carnegie Art Center in Walla Walla, the YWCA, and WWCC, she has collaborated with Wayne on several public art commissions in OR and WA, and 1983 established Calligraphica, a calligraphy and graphic design studio.

Combine Art Collective is honored to celebrate its one-year anniversary with these distinguished artists.

Combine is located at 130 E. Rose St., Walla Walla, in the Showroom on Colville featuring TMACS, TMACS Epicurean Kitchen, The Market by Andy's, Bergevin Lane Vineyards & Tasting Room, Sivana, Mark Ryan Wines.

For more information and to view the artist interview, visit http://www.combineartcollective.com or the gallery's YouTube channel.