The Forest Room Gallery
Check out our free community gallery space in the Library’s Forest Room, open during regular library hours.
The Forest Room Gallery features three spotlit walls to showcase framed and two-dimensional pieces, while our 6′ x 6′ glass display case offers a more intimate display venue for smaller works, such as artisan-crafted materials, curio collections, and smaller three-dimensional works.
We strive to showcase the artwork of local artists and artists who live and create in Curry and Del Norte Counties. We’re currently looking for artists able to showcase their work between September 2025 and March 2026.
Interested in being an upcoming featured artist in the Forest Room Gallery? Fill out the form below and tell us about your work!
“Brush of the Coast” Fall Art Competition
Accepting entries August 1 - 22, 2025
Join us for our first-ever community art competition!
Participants are invited to pick up a free Artist’s Kit at the front desk of the library, starting on August 1st and available while supplies last. The Artist’s Kit contains a canvas (with mounting hardware included) and basic painting supplies to create your very own masterpiece.
Submit your painting by 5:00pm on Friday, August 22nd. A panel of judges will select 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in the following age categories:
- K-5th grade
- Tween and Teen (6th – 12th grade)
- Adults (18+)
Winners in each age category will be announces on August 25th, 2025. Selected artworks including the winners in each category will have their art displayed in the library’s Forest Room Gallery during the months of September and October 2025. Artists are then invited to pick up their artwork by November 5th, 2025.
It is not necessary to use the library’s Artist Kit supplies, but all entries must follow these guidelines:
- 2D artwork only: painting, drawing, collage, mixed media, digital art, etc.
- All entries must be flat and ready to hang with appropriate hardware (hooks, wire, etc.).
- Maximum size: 48 inches wide × 60 inches tall.
- Artwork must have been created in the last 3 years.
You can view and download a copy of full submissions guidelines and a printable artist’s submission form at the links below.
Our Exhibits
Our featured gallery exhibits change on a monthly basis. Exhibits are typically assembled by the 2nd of the month, and are disassembled between the 25th and the final day of the month.
August's Featured Exhibits: Jean-Luc Thornton and the Wild Rivers Film Festival
A Series of Wood Art Pieces
by Jean-Luc Thornton
Medium: Wood
About the Artist: Jean-Luc Thornton designs and produces beautiful, hand-made custom wood art including furniture, sculptures, urns and keepsakes. Working with Pacific Northwest hardwoods like myrtle and Pacific maple, he creates each piece of art from his own unique designs or to your wishes. Every piece is unique and original. Luc has been working with wood for over 50 years and has been on the Oregon Coast for over 25 years. Luc has realized the amazing character of each Pacific Northwest hardwood available that is becoming more obsolete with time, making all hardwood more valuable because of the harvesting of the wood.
If you would like to purchase a piece on display or inquire further about Luc’s work, including the commission of custom pieces, please call 541-661-0671 or send a message to artist@lucthornton.com.
Indie Documentary Film Posters
Wild Rivers Film Festival
Medium: Graphic designs on paper
About the Exhibit: The gallery walls will feature a series of full-size posters featuring the artwork of the Wild Rivers Film Festival’s official 2025 documentary selections. The library is an official screening location for the Festival, which takes place in Brookings during the third weekend of every August. More information about the festival, including tickets and showtimes, can be found at wildriversfilmfestival.com
Second Saturday Art Walks
August 9, 3:00 – 5:00pm: Join August’s featured gallery and display case artists for an Art Walk Open House! The library will serve light refreshments between 3:00 and 4:30pm. Woodworker Jean-Luc Thornton and representatives from the Wild Rivers Film Festival will be in attendance all afternoon to greet visitors, answer questions, and talk about their work in a relaxed environment in the Forest Room.
Up Next in the Forest Room Gallery
September and October’s Gallery Display: Brush of the Coast Art Contest Winners and Finalists