Like the beloved puffins returning to Haystack Rock in spring, art lovers flock to Cannon Beach for the Annual Spring Unveiling Art Festival, May 5-7, 2017. Throughout the town galleries will spotlight new work by their chosen artists with unveilings, demos and receptions all weekend long, making this event an unparalleled experience for the art lover. With a thriving arts community that includes over a dozen galleries, Cannon Beach is named one of "The 100 Best Art Towns in America" by author John Villani in his book of the same name. Artwork being revealed for the first time includes every medium and craft ranging from the playful to the sublime. Visitors who have attended this event in the past have said they really enjoy the opportunity to meet the artists and learn about their creative process while viewing new works.Most galleries are located withing walking distance. You can pick up a brochure at galleries around town or at the Visitor Information Center, 207 N Spruce Street.

Cannon Beach galleries, featured events and artists include:

Archimedes Gallery
Archimedes Gallery will feature works by three Portland area contemporary artists.
Work based on the collision of urban landscapes and the natural world, Brin Levinson's "backyard" has become the subject of his art. David Rice uses the natural landscape and its inhabitants as his primary subject matter. His work focuses on the themes of nature and its personifying characteristics. Nicole Gustafsson uses a stunning color palette to capture fantastical places portrayed. Her interest in wildlife and trees grew into a life-long passion of the natural world and continues to be a theme in her artwork. Archimedes Gallery, 139 W. 2nd St. Suite 5 (503) 436-0499

Bronze Coast Gallery
Nathan Bennett mines new veins in painting on bronze plates. His landscapes have a surreal quality, a sense of otherness, which is partly due to his unusual medium. Margret Short has replicated 17th century paints for her collection by hand grinding each pigment. Luscious colors, with magical names like lapis lazuli, cinnabar, and malachite are the focus of each bountiful still life. Bronze Coast Gallery, 224 N Hemlock St. Suite 2 (503) 436-1055

Cannon Beach Gallery
The gallery will open their second juried show of 2017 during the weekend. "Frame of Reference" will feature contemporary artwork that blends text and image. From Egyptian hieroglyphics to contemporary graphic novels cultures across centuries utilized various forms of text and image for communication. Work being submitted for the show can be done in calligraphy, altered books or maps, collage, mixed media, or any other media that follows the show's theme. Cannon Beach Gallery Arts Association, 1064 S Hemlock St. (503) 436-0744

DragonFire Gallery
Three talented northwest artists will take center stage at Dragonfire Gallery with talks, demonstrations and raffles. On Friday, 3-6pm, artist Eli Mazet will present the fine art of lamp work shot glasses. New garden art will be unveiled at 4:30pm with a wine and chocolate reception. Starting at 10am on Saturday, Chuck Gumpert, Ann Cavanaugh and Eli Mazet will reveal new artwork followed by demonstrations from 11am-3pm. An artist reception is 4-7pm, food and wine will be served with live music. Sunday features a brunch reception, 11am-1pm, with live music, more artist demos and surprise unveilings. DragonFire Gallery, 123 S Hemlock St. (503) 436-1533

Icefire Glassworks
Icefire will unveil new pieces in Jim Kingwell's Embers series, Suzanne Kindland's Emerald Forest series and new work from Mark Gordon's Murrini series. Mark will be putting several of these pieces together during the weekend and the studio will host their traditional breakfast reception on Saturday morning from 9-11am. Icefire Glassworks, 116 E Gower Ave. (503) 436-2359

Imprint Gallery
Celebrating its grand opening in April, Imprint Gallery is the newest gallery to join the fold in Cannon Beach. For its first Spring Unveiling, Imprint will feature new works by artists Aggie Zed, Juliellen Byrne and Angela Purviance. Imprint Gallery, 183 N Hemlock St.

Jeffrey Hull Gallery
Jeffrey's painting career spans over 40 years. He has been an artist and resident of Cannon Beach since 1972. Known for his ability to capture the beauty and moods of where the water joins land, he controls the difficult medium of watercolor, often in very large paintings. Recently, he has also returned to painting in oil, as well. His deep love for the area is clearly seen in his original paintings and prints. He will be in his gallery throughout the weekend. Jeffrey Hull Gallery, 172 N Hemlock St. Suite 24, (503) 436-2600

Jewelry by Sharon Amber
Jewelry artist Sharon Amber creates personal treasures using 14k, 18k, and 22k gold and exotic gems. She is best know for her high fire enameled "miniature paintings" and her carvings in local gems and beach pebbles. During Spring Unveiling, she will reveal work and designs inspired by thousands of miles of travel over the last few months. Jewelry by Sharon Amber, 168, 156 N Hemlock St. (503) 436-1494

Modern Villa Gallery
Modern Villa will feature the tranquil paintings of Anne Packard, the bold brushwork canvas of Josef Kote and David Jonathan Marshall's latest contemporary inspirations. Modern Villa Gallery, 224 N. Hemlock St. Suite 6, (503) 436-2428

Northwest By Northwest Gallery
Returning to the gallery will be bronze sculptor Georgia Gerber, fine art photographer Christopher Burkett, and sculptor Ivan McLean Northwest By Northwest Gallery, 232 N Spruce St., (503) 436-0741

White Bird Gallery
The gallery will feature a new exhibition of works by Anne John, resin paintings by Faryn Davis, clay and metal sculptures by Robin and John Gumaelius and new paintings by Ken Grant. An opening reception is on Saturday, 5-7pm. White Bird Gallery, 251 N Hemlock St., (503) 436-2681

Find artistic dining options in Cannon Beach, serving everything from special coffee drinks to lobster. Local chefs have partnered with the Cannon Beach galleries, selecting a work of art that has inspired them to create their own edible art just for the weekend. Read more about Artistic Dining in Cannon Beach