Exhibition Dates: January 23 – March 13, 2025
Community Reception: February 20, 6:00 p.m.
Location: Royal Nebeker Gallery, 1799 Lexington Avenue, Clatsop Community College, Astoria, OR
The fifteenth annual international juried exhibit, Au Naturel: The Nude in the 21st Century, will be on display from January 23 through March 13, 2025, with a community reception on February 20th, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., at Clatsop Community College’s Royal Nebeker Art Gallery, located at 1799 Lexington Avenue, Astoria, OR.
This marks the first full return of the Au Naturel exhibition since 2020, following a pause during the pandemic. While a smaller invitational version of the show was held last year, this year celebrates the revival of the full-scale competition that has garnered widespread recognition.
2025 Au Naturel juror Laura Ross Paul will be present during the community reception to give a brief gallery talk. Awards to be announced at the reception include cash prizes, purchase awards, a special exhibit award for the 2025–2026 exhibition season, and a select number of workshop awards. This reception is free and open to the public. A post-reception gathering will be held in downtown Astoria (location TBA) immediately following the reception.
Gallery visitors are invited to cast their vote for their favorite piece during the exhibition. Ballots will be tallied at the close of the show, and the winner of the People’s Choice Award will be announced.
This year, over 350 images were submitted for consideration by artists from 17 states and Canada. The 2025 exhibit will feature works by 41 artists representing 13 states across the U.S. as well as Canada. Local artists from the greater Astoria community who have been selected for the 2025 show include: Brian Holbein, Roger McKay, Yasmina Nysten, Ben Rosenberg, Roy Sanchez, and Blaine Verlay.
This year’s juror, Laura Ross Paul, is a celebrated artist and art educator based in Portland, Oregon. She is renowned for her mastery of figurative painting, combining expressive figurative imagery with evocative symbolism and vibrant color. Her work is represented in prestigious public and private collections, including the Portland Art Museum, the Seattle Art Museum, the Tacoma Art Museum, the Arnot Museum (NY), the Palm Springs Art Museum, the Art Gym and Portland Institute of Contemporary Art. Ross Paul explores unique alternative approaches in her painting practice, layering oil and wax over watercolor and iridescent inks, which lends her work its distinct textural and luminous qualities.
Ross Paul brings her unique perspective to the selection process, stating:
“The nude form offers infinite possibilities for storytelling, emotion, and connection. My selections emphasize work that reveals vulnerability, resilience, and authenticity—qualities that transcend boundaries and resonate universally.”
Ross Paul will be leading a hands-on life-drawing workshop on Saturday, February 22 from 10 to 3, including a brief lunch break, which will be open to the general public for a $30 fee. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. For further details about the workshop, a materials list, and to register, contact Kristin Shauck by phone (503-338-2472) or e-mail kshauck@clatsopcc.edu.
For more information about all artists participating in the 2025 show, please visit the Au Naturel website to explore the 2025 online gallery, which will be available for viewing by January 23th, 2025.
Gallery Hours
Monday through Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sundays and holidays: By appointment only.
