Feature Focus
September 2010

 

Paul Bianchina

ARCHIVES

Bathing Suits in February?

Awards Shows for
The Rest of Us

Ready For Employee Idol?

There are Dog People and
There are Cat People

Can't Be Too Safe When
Mowing the Lawn

One of Life's Greatest
Mysteries Explained

So Much Food,
So Little Ocean

Time Once Again to Bring
A Dead Tree Into the House

Remember When These Were Your Biggest Problems in Life?

Dentists – Masters of Understatement

Cell Phones: You Gotta Learn It Somewhere

With PVC, Anyone Can
Screw Up a Sprinkler System

On Gambling

Can We Get That Dog
to Read?

Is Nicole Kidman Buzzing
Around Your House?

Tracking the Origin
of the Elephant Ear

Television Networks – The New Business Model for Chaos

Don't Argue When the Ultimate Makeover Team Arrives

Stranger in a Strange Land

One Holiday Down,
A Couple Dozen To Go

Imponderables

I’ll Have The Smaller, More Expensive Portion Please

It's High Time for More Warnings on TV Ads

Ah, The Joy of a Relaxing Vacation

There's Nothing like Technology to Make Easier Things Harder

A Puzzling Addiction

More Imponderables

 

Inspiring Art Provides Renewed Perspective

By Trinity Combs Cascade A&E Features Writer

Art on the Go helps inspire people to create art by donating frame work to serveral art shows including the one currently displayed in the Northwest Brain and Spinal Clinic in Bend. “We’ve been doing charity work ever since we started Art on the Go,” David Saunders, co-owner of the frame shop said. “We know this art show has been therapeutic for the patients in terms of rehabilitation.”

The Brain and Spinal clinic is the same place two special artists, Teresa Schroeder (now 26) and Michael McDaniel (now 20), first visited following two catastrophic events in 2005. Schroeder fell in a snowboarding accident which caused a quadriplegic spinal cord injury and McDaniel had an aneurism while swimming leading to the discovery of an inoperable brain tumor.

Art has helped both Schroeder and McDaniel cope with their fates by rechanneling their emotions. Schroeder has taken to oil and pastel painting while McDaniel found his niche in colored pencils. The artists said they were moved to take up art as an approach to their therapy by Marlene Moore Alexander, who painted watercolors on paper and acrylics on canvas on location in the desert near Bend during her radiation treatments for breast cancer. Marlene owns and operates a children’s creative art school in Bend and created the Arts in the Hospital program at St. Charles Medical Center in 1990.

“I paint on snowboards, after putting on a molding paste so the paint will stick,” Schroeder said. McDaniel said he paints simple circular paintings. “The doctors say some of my older art looks like it’s in a cell format, from a scientific perspective,” McDaniel said. Both patients have come a long way and have taken positive attitudes on their experiences. “I don’t see a spinal cord injury or any form of physical ailment for that matter happening as easy as we trip and fall,” Schroeder said. “But it was a spiritual crisis that brought my body down with it, and I had to learn to overcome it.”

Schroeder came out of her accident on a ventilator lying on her back for ten days. “There was no saying I was going to survive surgery,” Schroeder said. It took two months to get out of ICU and off the ventilator. Physically it’s been a rollercoaster. But I don’t measure things physically anymore.” Teresa had to work hard to lift her spirits and rejuvenate her attitude to rise above her accident. Coinciding with her art, her special trip to Peru that lasted one year and eight months truly opened her eyes.

“I had been working and studying all approaches to healing,” Schroeder said. “I was introduced to a doctor in Peru who did a chiropractic technique that strengthens the nervous system while helping increase blood flow and stretching tendons. It helps the body’s whole state.” Teresa said the trip truly inspired her. “I feel spiritually, mentally and emotionally better. It’s been a slow process because by the time I received treatment it had been three plus years. The doctors thought it would take longer because it was not initially after my accident,” Schroeder said.

“But going to Peru I didn’t have access to a therapy pool or modern gym by any means so I learned how to use my own body and gravity to strengthen myself. It’s very humbling. And I saw how it was possible without modern techniques. It’s awakening to be amongst all that and still be in recovery.” It all started for McDaniel the same way, doing a sport he loved, swimming. “On the first day of Thanksgiving break, I was going strong as usual at swim practice. All of a sudden I started losing energy and became like a five year old in a swimming pool, struggling,” McDaniel said.

“Half an hour later I got a small headache that started to grow into the most intolerable head pain which turned out to be hemorrhaging in my brain.” “After running me through a CT scan the doctors found out there was hemorrhage all through my brain. I had to be put in a medical induced coma for three days,” McDaniel said. “I had my first ten hour surgery and was diagnosed with brain cancer. The great thing was that the doctors thought I’d be out in three months but I got out in three weeks.” Since 2005, McDaniel has had seven brain surgeries, three years of chemo, radiation, radio stereo-tactic surgery, and is now finishing his last treatment before a hip replacement. Both patients have struggled profusely because there seemed to be nothing to be done.

That’s where art comes in. Both McDaniel and Schroeder have taken to art as an emotional release, and have found new attitudes and perspectives towards the challenges they face. Schroeder and McDaniel still continue to work towards recovery and on to bigger and better things. McDaniel recently participated in the Tour Deschutes race, re-tapping into his love for biking. Schroeder took her newly learned chiropractic techniques from Peru to a small village of the Amazon and has been inspired to help others with their treatments. Art on the Go-541-382-6293

Arts Central Unveils
The Colors of Innovation

By VALERIE CLARK Cascade A&E Editor

Central Oregon’s pre-eminent arts organization is forging ahead with an initiative that organizers hope will solidify the importance of art in the school system and in the community at large. At a reception held recently at the Oxford Hotel, Arts Central leaders outlined the program, called the Colors of Innovation.

“The initial focus of our initiative is on whole child development through creative learning, with the long-term goal of building engaged, positive, enthusiastic and productive citizens of our community and the world,” said Cate O’Hagan, executive director of Arts Central. The group, she said, has been working with planning consultant Geoff Heldt, who describes Central Oregon’s evolution into a creative community.

She quoted Heldt: “Back in the day, Central Oregon measured its prosperity in board feet – the amount of lumber produced from the forest bounty. While today’s economy is largely based upon the 4 R’s (retail, restaurants, real estate and recreation), we are beginning to see the emergence of a knowledge-driven economy whose outputs are creative in nature: ideas, networks, experiences and companies. Human creativity is the raw material for the 21st century.” To underscore the importance of creative learning, Arts Central placed three thought-provoking questions on the topic on easels around the Oxford Hotel conference space, inviting attendants to write their answers.

The questions were: “How do you believe creative learning is beneficial and makes a difference,” “How does innovative learning and creative thinking lend itself to economic development,” and “As related to arts and culture, what would you like to see more of -- or of a better quality -- in our community?” Kirk Schueler, president of Brooks Resource, NorthWest Crossing developer, discussed the vitality of arts for the entire community, including the business sector.

“For Brooks Resources, the arts have been important for a long time,” Schueler said. “We really see ourselves as a community developer. Without everyone’s support of the arts, the community would lack a certain dimension.” O’Hagan said the Colors of Innovation initiative will begin by focusing on teaching the teachers, revitalizing the importance of art instruction as teachers themselves learn their craft.

“Most colleges and universities quit teaching elementary teachers in training to teach art in the mid-1970s,” she said. “We are dealing with the results of a lost generation of creative learners.” Arts Central has identified seven key Creative Education Goals to start amending this problem:
1. Enhance the student’s power of perception, problem-solving, and creative self expression.
2. Provide art instruction experiences that might not otherwise be available.
3. Help educators design or improve basic art curricula.
4. Integrate and link the arts to other learning goals and content areas.
5. Increase appreciation of the arts, including world cultural traditions.
6. Present career opportunities in the arts.
7. Beautify the school environment with semi-permanent or permanent work by a professional artist alone or with a student/adult team.

These goals have been set in motion already with a pilot project at Redmond’s Lynch Elementary. O’Hagan said school staff, teachers and kids alike have praised it as a great success. The rewards of engaging students in creative learning at a young age will be limitless, O’Hagan said, as the next generations begin to grow up with a priceless ability to problem-solve with their imaginations, opening up endless possibilities.

“Undertaking a project like this is enormous, but absolutely necessary and essential for us to tackle,” O’Hagan said. “If nothing else, the recession is a game-changer and has taught all of us that business as usual will not work. Our thinking about our future and how to best plan for that future has brought us here today.” www.artscentraloregon.org

Three Notable Artists, One Single Street

Master Potter Eleanor Murphey, accomplished Sculptor Dan Rider and innovative Glass Artist Kate MacLeod open their studios to the public for two days in July. These three expressive artists happen to live on one street, BoonesBorough Drive, located just north of Bend off 97 at Deschutes Market Road. Not one knew another prior to locating on BoonesBorough, so what is it about the borough that attracts such talent? The residents of BoonesBorough all enjoy at least 2 ½ acres of land, and many back the BLM for even more open territory. Each artist finds joy and fulfillment creating their art in the quiet and solitude of the neighborhood.

This is the public’s unique opportunity to visit not only one, but three artist’s studios, get to know the artists and learn a bit about how the work is performed. The magic of Eleanor’s ancient technique wax-resist pottery, the whimsical yet bold attributes of Dan’s sculpture, and the light catching mysticism of Kate’s glass art can all be viewed at the source of creation, the artist’s studios. Three Artist’s Studios on BoonesBorough Drive, Bend Eleanor Murphey, 64660 BoonesBorough Drive Dan Rider, 21883 BoonesBorough Drive Kate MacLeod, 21865 BoonesBorough Drive July 10, 11am–4pm; July 11, 11am–3pm Kate MacLeod 541-388-0331 sunstonepottery.com; danridersculpture.com; glasssymphony.com

Community Portrait: The Art of Discovering Who We Are

By CHRIS REYNOLDS for Cascade AE

If you visited tbd loft during the First Friday art walk in March you probably had to walk around and step over people. They were squeezed into every corner of the space intently working on self portraits and answering questions about what it’s like to live in Bend. (They were making Zines.) Others were lending their thoughts to The Caldera Invisibility Project by finishing these sentences “I feel invisible when…” and “Others are invisible to me when….” All the answers, written on cards, are hung on strings that line one wall of the lobby. “I love first Fridays,” smiled Paul Evers, president and chief creative director of tbd advertising.

“It’s a great opportunity for the community to come together. But it was getting a little stagnant, a little too passive. We wanted to make it more participatory for more people.” Evers shared his thought with some friends and co-workers who loved the idea and the call went out for collaborators. This core group came together for a freewheeling brainstorming session one evening in December and set about planning what would become Community Portrait-- a progressive, multi-disciplinary exhibit with live performances and interactive art experiences centered around the theme “Who Are We?” “We wanted something everyone could be part of—not just members of the established art community, but people who view themselves as non-artists, for lack of a better term,” said Evers. “No limits were put on what kind of creative expression is welcomed.”

The project officially launched on March 5 and included visual arts, music photography, poetry and the Bend Zine Project. Laura Walker who created the Zine project, (with Rachel Lee Carman,) felt it was an overwhelming success. ” I was so pleased with the quality of the submissions,” said Walker. “People really took the time to participate, to learn about Zines, to read Zines and to help create a Zine of our own. We received 118 submissions! It’s not just art at tbd loft, it’s an experience.”

“My beginning Slam Poetry students got to perform in public for the first time,” said Tymon Emch, the education director of Cada l Casa. “And then they got to try their hand at storytelling. It was a great opportunity for them to rethink their ideas about art and their place in the community.” Teri Mintz, an artist who does Henna body art participated in May. She spent the evening creating a vine/chain design on people’s hands. When put together, all the vines connected to create a continuous chain.  

“A week after the last event, I was shopping at Whole Foods and a fellow shopper did a double take.  I didn’t think anything of it; it’s a small town!  But then she came over to me and picked up my hand, compared my henna to hers, and said that we shared the same community,” said Mintz. “Also, my daughter, Kylie, goes to Cascade Middle School. Two teachers and three of her friends all noticed that they had the hennas, and they spontaneously did the same thing:  made a henna chain and established their “community.” 

“I’m so inspired by those who think they aren’t artists,” said Evers. “They create some wonderful submissions. I think people by nature are called to creativity, collaboration and to form communities. Humans have been doing it since the beginning of time—creating communities and seeking to understand their place in them. This is just Bend, Oregon 2010’s contribution to the conversation. I love it!” Community Portrait: Who are we? continues through June at tbd loft 856 NW Wall Street on First Fridays between 5-9pm. Beginning in July, the theme becomes “where did we come from” and finishes with “where are we going” beginning in November. Submissions of any kind are welcome!

River Bend Fine Art A Gathering Place of Original Art
by VALERIE CLARK Cascade A&E Editor

Local art lovers can get their first look at Bend’s newest art gallery, River Bend Fine Art, at its First Friday soft opening with a gala grand opening celebration planned for later this month. River Bend Fine Art founder Jane Ujhazi comes to Bend by way of the Oregon coast, where she and her husband, Jeffrey Weymouth, ran a bed & breakfast. Through repeated visits to Central Oregon, the idea of moving to Bend and starting a new business venture slowly began to come together.

“I started getting drawn back into the art world,” said Ujhazi, a classically trained artist who got into commercial graphic design and illustration and has collected fine art for 30 years. At first she considered getting back into art herself, but instead decided to go into the business end of things by starting her own gallery. “It just felt right, like a light went off in my head,” she said. “When you’re passionate about something and you have knowledge about it, you have everything you need.”

Late last summer, she got to work, with some help and advice from Bend’s Mockingbird Gallery owner Jim Peterson. She put together a business plan and starting seeking out artists and ended up signing nearly 30. She found them through connections and relationships with artists she already knew or admired. She approaches her relationship to her artists with the philosophy that she handles the business side of their work, freeing them up to focus on their art.

“I really believe in long-term relationships,” she said. “I am committed to my artists. I work for them, I’m their business partner. It’s a partnership that’s fueled by a common passion.” The gallery, located in the former Kebanu location on Bond Street in the heart of downtown Bend, features works by local, regional and nationally-known artists in traditional and contemporary genres, offering anything an art lover’s heart could desire.

Media featured at the gallery includes everything from acrylics to aquatints, bronze, gouache, oil, pastel, steel, stone and watercolor. The subject matter covered at the gallery is just as diverse, featuring landscapes, still lifes and the human figure. Ujhazi says her goal is to create a welcoming and comfortable environment, “elegant but not stuffy.” She hopes to be able to bring her own enjoyment of art to everyone.

“Art is such a personal, joyful thing,” she said. The gallery’s artworks, ranging from the very affordable to treasured high-end pieces, will fit anyone’s price range, Ujhazi said. The gallery’s opening is set for the First Friday on May 7, and a Gala Grand Opening and Artist Reception is set for Friday, May 28 from 5-8pm. Ujhazi said that about half of her artists will be present for the grand opening. 844 NW Bond Street, Bend, 541-728-0553 or jane@riverbendfineartgallery.com

Teafly Dignity Award Winner 2010

by REBECCA WILKINSON, Volunteer for Human Dignity Coalition
As one of the recipients of the Human Dignity Coalition’s 2010 Dare to Dream Dignity Awards, Teafly Peterson is known around Central Oregon as an amazingly talented artist, teacher, advocate and friend. For those of you who have not had the chance to know her, let me fill you in. Teafly was drawn to Bend around 2005 by the beauty of the mountainous Central Oregon landscape.

The more people she came in contact with, the more she realized she was not alone. She met many people who choose to live here because of the amazing natural environment and the connection they feel to the earth. Unfortunately as time went on, she realized that many of her neighbors did not share her same viewpoint when it came to equal rights for all individuals regardless of religion, race, or sexuality. Having been raised in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts where 30 percent of the population identifies as gay, Teafly was blown away by the bigotry that existed here. She felt responsible for using her voice to help her neighbors here, so they could live as peacefully as her neighbors in the Pioneer Valley.  

What was even more surprising to her was that the issue was looked at as religious or political. Teafly was never raised with the idea that someone’s sexuality was either of these things. While there were struggles in the community she was raised in around homosexuality, they were always tackled with dialogue and dignity. People were never attacked directly or violently and it saddened her to know that she now lived a community where that did happen.   She knew that other people in the community thought the way she did, and wondered why they did not speak out about these issues. Teafly soon realized that they simply didn’t know what to say. Teafly has since then put her artistic heart and soul into giving voice to those who have not been heard.

She now serves as an art mentor through the Caldera arts program, serving at five middle schools a week throughout Central Oregon. Starting with children in the 6th grade through high school, she teaches film making, photography, writing, drawing and painting. The children are referred to her through the schools and Child Services, most coming from poverty and abuse, looking for a door to be opened and to be treated with compassion. She has also served on the board at KPOV, and started the youth radio hour as well. She has created art for HDC, helped create the queer prom, and is currently working on a new project called We Live Here Too, photographing the lives of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trangendered, queer and allied community in their favorite natural landscape.

This instillation will be shown at the HDC awards ceremony in May, and will then be on display at the TBD loft during the month of June in honor of Bend Pride. Join HDC on May 1 at the Mirror Pond Gallery as we honor Teafly, and Pizza Monda and the Deschutes County Health Services Department for making a difference in the lives of people in our community.  For an invitation to the event, contact office@humandignitycoalition.org

Unique Art Fundraiser Benefits
New Bend Skatepark

The second annual art show and fundraiser, PUSH, held recently at the PoetHouse in Bend featured custom skate deck art from over 50 local, regional and national artists including Adam Haynes, Mark Rada, Aaron Draplin, Jesse Lockwood, Dana Mackenzie as well autographed birdhouse skateboard, complete with trucks and wheels signed by Tony Hawk in support of Division Street Skatepark (DSSP). PUSH benefits a new planned Bend skatepark – and showcases the unique lifestyle and artistic interpretation of the skate community.

A sampling of the show is currently on display at Velvet in Downtown Bend. PUSH is the brainchild of the founders of DSSP, a project that has been gaining momentum and community support over the past two years. Inspired by Portland’s Burnside skatepark and similar DIY parks, DSSP differs from other projects because it will be designed and constructed by skateboarders, without the help of the city, parks and recreation or any other municipality.

The PUSH show has already garnered attention from artists across the region who are eager to contribute their creative vision showcased on such an unusual format. “Art has always been a part of skateboarding, so we feel that a skate-based art show makes perfect sense,” says Travis Yamada, one of the original supporters of the skatepark. Multiple events and opportunities will continue throughout the year to support the skatepark, which has already gathered the support of the Oregon Department of Transportation. Situated on Division Street under the Bend Parkway, the land is currently vacant and strewn with large boulders.

The project crew, comprised of volunteers who have dreamt of such an opportunity for years, has already formed a 501(c)3 nonprofit in order to secure grants and funds for building the park. The founders plan to revitalize a potential blighted area by building a skatepark to the highest standards and maintaining control of the project through development and usage. laurel@14handsagency.com or yamadafkr@yahoo.com. www.divisionstreetparkproject.com, 541 -385-7777

Art by Knight Creates New Paradigm
for Artists

by VALERIE CLARK Cascade A&E Editor

It was a match made in art heaven when sculptor Steven Knight met his wife, painter Laurel, 25 years ago, and the kindred spirits are now working to revolutionize the traditional idea of an art gallery. Both Laurel and Steven have been artists for their entire lives, but only now have they finally reached the point where they can devote all of their efforts to their respective crafts. Laurel first discovered her talent when, as a young child, she drew portraits of the parishioners in her church when they occasionally nodded off during lengthy sermons. Eventually, people began to gather around her after church to see who she’d captured on paper.

“As weeks went by, more and more people were posing, acting as if they were asleep,” she said. Laurel continued to hone her craft, branching out to drawing with pastels and painting. Along the way she married her first husband and raised a family, and although her art took a backseat to the demands of everyday life, she always found ways to express herself visually when she had the chance, whether it was by drawing portraits of friends or making posters for the local PTA. Steven also discovered art at an early age and with whatever “medium” was available at hand. “After I accomplished walking, I started creating, you know, with mud, sticks, cardboard, eventually a pencil or crayon came into play,” Steven said.

Through the next 20 years of his life, Steven had plenty of adventures, making forays into guiding, hunting, fishing, logging, construction and more, and eventually began sculpting three-dimensionally and casting in bronze. His realistic style of sculpting is inspired by a lifelong love of nature, he says. Steven specializes in figurative bronze sculpture, equine sculpture and western sculpture. His realistic technique combines with a flair for the fantastic, as in Life’s a Dance, which shows a man’s musculoskeletal system as he holds a violin and bow with a flourish. Laurel focuses on figurative and portrait paintings, landscapes and wildlife paintings.

She’s now working on a large body of work based on the time period between the 1920s and 1940s, including the Great Depression, based on old negatives from pictures taken by her grandfather. Steven emphasizes that, with his discipline, training and skill level, he is not just an artist but a fine artist, a key distinction. “One thing that I as an artist would like to convey: There is a distinct difference between art and fine art,” he said. “To me, fine art is an incredible responsibility. It is extremely disciplined and requires incredible focus.”

He and his wife are now aiming to challenge the traditional idea of how art is presented to the public. Instead of putting up exhibits in galleries, they are branching out to the entire nation and the world via the Internet. “We’re helping to change the paradigm of art,” Laurel explained. Their goal: “To share, care, get it out there.” Information about investing in the Knights’ business plan can be found on their website. Investment opportunities in the Knights’ business plan are now available and information can be found on their website.

Steven’s sculptures and Laurel’s paintings are currently on display at the new Azura Studio, a self-healing center and full-service salon located downtown on Bond Street. Their hope is that their art will inspire the next generation of artists, and that’s already happening. One little girl, upon seeing Laurel’s paintings and watching her work, rushed her mom out the door to go buy a set of pastels. “It’s been such a joy to see that,” Steven said. Information: www.artbyknight.com, 541-633-7488

 

Native Art Expressions: Art, Stories & Poetry

Native Art Expressions is the brainchild of two men, Douglas C. Watson who resides in Prineville, and John A. Finch currently living in Warm Springs. Together they have developed a line of art, stories and poetry that is unique, beautiful and refreshing. Bringing the wildlife they both love into their work with each adding their own distinctive styles, they have blended together a vast collection of “must have” art work.

Born in Walla Walla, Washington, Watson spent the majority of his youth in Coos Bay, Oregon attending school and surfing along the west coast. He went on to attend college at the University of Oregon followed by service in the Air Force as a member of Special Forces and later as a physical conditioning specialist. Watson spent much of his life raising, training and showing Quarter horses.

His ability to see and feel what is going on around him makes his writings come to vivid life. His love of wildlife gives his animal writings a unique and inspiring style. For a short while, you can step into their lives, seeing the world from their perspective. One of the most beautiful books written according to Watson is the soon-to-be-released Whispers of Love, a unique and growing collection of his original love poems. Also pending is Growing with PA, a humorous collection of true and “semi” true adventures.

A third book, Ralph’s Story” is still in outline form and is now being researched. Finch was born on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation in Idaho. He has spent a large portion of his life preserving Native American Culture through his art. His creative ability to capture the true spirit and essence of Native American animals and to illuminate the very souls of his subjects in portraits makes any and all artwork by Finch a true collector’s dream. Finch’s artwork has won numerous awards throughout the United States.

One of his most noted accomplishments was when one of his paintings was selected to be part of the Smithsonian Institute’s permanent collection of Contemporary Indian Art in Washington, D.C. The first editions of the Wildlife Series will soon be released both in the United States and internationally. This collection of posters, cards and calendars will be available in framed, standard and Numbered Limited editions. Finch’s beautiful art is brought even more to life as it is combined with Watson’s vivid stories and descriptions.

The website is now under construction and the texts are being transcribed into Japanese and several other languages. All business is directed through the third partner, Tammy Combs of Prineville. Combs has insured that all business is routed through and handled by Central Oregon attorneys, accountants and printing firms. Percentages of all sales will include donations to select Native American enrichment programs as well as National Wildlife and ecology programs. Information: 541-420-8927

Wildfire Event Staged by Clay Guild of the Cascades

Central Oregon is fortunate to have a large and talented group of clay artists. According to pottery and printmakers Janet Matson the Clay guild of the Cascades (CGC) was formed in 2005 to support clay artists and to give something back to the community. “Our mission statement reads ….as potters we share a passion about clay with each other and the community. Our aim is to promote creative self-expression in clay, share knowledge and experience ..and to participate in charitable projects,” explains Matson.

CGC is a non-profit organization with a membership of 30 plus clay artists including wheel thrown, hand-built and sculptured ceramics. It is based in Bend but its membes are from all over Oregon from Eugene to Baker City. The group is dedicated to furthering the education and appreciation of ceramic arts in Central Oregon. “Our effort to promote self-expression through clay has led us to bring several nationally known clay artists to our area for workshops for our members as well as free workshops in area high schools and college,” explains Matson.

CGC has also been instrumental in the charitable community event, Empty Bowls. Central Oregon potters donated over 1,200 handmade bowls, which were then sold with homemade soup to local diners. “In our first year CGC was able to contribute over $2,000 to the Oregon Food Bank program, which helped feed over 22,000 families in Oregon,” said Matson. CGC has produced four cooperative all-clay shows called Wildfire Potter Showcase, which is very like the OPA in Portland only smaller, thirty ceramic artists from around Oregon come together to show and sell functional and decorative ceramic art.

The show also includes a children’s clay area, continuous demonstrations and a gallery, that includes a student gallery, where artists put their best work. The professional look of the show along with a great variety of wonderful original ceramic works of art and a committed all-volunteer support of the artists, has helped create great sales and an enthusiastic response from visitors. This year Wildfire will be held at a new venue at Highland School in Bend on November 14-15 at 701 Newport Ave.

BGA Celebrates 10 Years in Supporting Arts Education

In support of Arts Central Educational and Resource Center the Bend Gallery Association came together for a group exhibition and auction fundraiser to benefit arts education programs for disadvantaged youth. In addition the Bend galleries are celebrating working together for 10 years adding visibility and awareness of the vibrant arts community in Bend. Currently made up of 12 member galleries, the BGA is responsible for putting together and distributing the annual Gallery Guide and hosting First Friday Gallery Walk.

Karen Bandy conceived of the idea to have the members do a special painting to commemorate the Oregon 150 with the proceeds going to Arts Central. Members of the Bend Gallery Association thought this was a perfect way to honor the 150th anniversary of Oregon as well as support the much needed arts education for disadvantaged youth. The BGA has been hosting the monthly First Friday Gallery Walk from 5-9 pm every first Friday of the Month, and all of the members have been supportive advocates of the arts community here in Bend for many years. Works available at auction include original paintings from artists represented by the gallery and/or the gallery owner and were done specifically for this special Oregon 150 event.

The organizers hope that the tradition can continue and people will be able to purchase a painting by well known artists, while supporting Arts Education in our community. “This is a special opportunity to have the community come together and support all of our arts in Bend. The arts are a vital part of our community and it is good to see all of the Galleries work together collaboratively to help support that,” says Shelley Hall, an independent art appraiser and consultant in Bend.

“We are very fortunate to have such talented and well respected artists and galleries here, and it is important as a community to show our support.” Galleries and associated artists include Atelier 6000 and owner Pat Clark, Glass Symphony and owner Kate MacLeod, Michael Cassidy Gallery and owner Michael Cassidy, Sage Gallery and owner Denise Rich, Mockingbird Gallery and artist Ken Roth, Karen Bandy Studio and owner Karen Bandy, Tumalo Art Gallery and artist Janice Druian, BICA Gallery and artist Alexis West, Art Impressions and artist Mary Hodges and Lubbesmeyer Gallery and owners Lori and Lisa Lubbesmeyer. Silent Auction bidding has been going on throughout July at various galleries. Bidding will continue at Arts Central and culminate with an open house and group show on First Friday, August 7. www.bendgalleries.com

Jill's Wild Women & Friends Return to Bend

by PETER WALL THOMAS A&E Feature Writer

Jill Haney-Neal is a well known artist in Central Oregon who ran her own gallery, Jill's Wild Tasteful Women & Friends, in downtown Bend for five years before closing up shop in January of last year. During the summer of 2008 she started anew and opened warehouse on Nels Anderson Road in Bend. This new evolution of her business includes a variety of products with her signature bodacious Wild Women designs taking center stage once again. Merchandise lines include mugs, tapas plates, magnets, wine plates, with recent additions including new martini plates and coasters.

Haney-Neal's current endeavors can be traced back to "years of requests to have a giftware product lines with the 'bodacious' women. I had an agent in New York at one time, who loved the work, but said the buyers were 'afraid' of the women, saying they were too 'sensual' for mass market. Still I had numerous requests, and finally started the process two years ago," she explains. With momentum for her business increasing she decided to fly to China to inspect the factory where her products were being manufactured. Her goal was two-fold: inspect the conditions of the factory and see how it was being run.

"It is run by women, and with good and clean working conditions. The work they produced was exceptional," explains Haney-Neal. She even went so far as to visit where the clay was produced and found similarly excellent conditions in a well run factory. After a year of refining the details of production, including making sure the finished product was up to specs of color, quality, was lead-free and microwave and dishwasher safe, she proceeded with her first shipment.

Currently the Wild Women product line can be found in 75 stores in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Montana, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, Minnesota, and Nevada. In Oregon, her merchandise can be found in Made in Oregon stores, various wineries and gift shops, and locally at WineStyes stores, Maragas Winery, and Sisters Drug and Gift. Of course, she explains "We also sell out of our little showroom, and very few people even know we have one! We will be open Tuesdays and Wednesdays this summer, as well as a few 'special events'.

The first one will be June 20, 10am to 5pm. Instead of discounts at the warehouse, we give a percentage of sales to the Bethlehem Inn." There is also a line of Wild Women gift cards, distributed through the Seattle Company of Emery-Burton. According to Haney-Neal sales have been very strong, with cards selling nationwide, and now in Canada. The original artwork is also being sold nationwide wholesale, mostly to framing galleries. She has also expanded her images to wine bottles including Kiona Vineyards in Washington and recently on a series of Wild Women wines for D'Vine wines in Texas and Colorado.

"Due to all of the varied activity, we haven't promoted locally as much as I've wanted. But we are still here! We had the absolutely BEST customers at the gallery, and I miss them. Since we have moved on, I would love to have them know that we're still around," she explains enthusiastically. With fantastic products, and ever evolving product line there is no reason Central Oregonians shouldn't take full advantage and support one of our own. Jill Haney-Neal, Wild Women Gallery open Tues/Wed, 20512 Nels Anderson Rd. Bldg 3 Unit A, Bend,541/617-6078, www.jillnealgallery.com

Tumalo Art Co. Fine Art Collective Expands to the Old Mill

by SONDRA HOLTZMAN A&E Editor

Over a year ago, The Old Mill invited Tumalo Art Co. owners Susan Luckey Higdon and Tracy Leagjeld to consider moving to the Old Mill so when a street-level location opened up it was too good to pass up. Tumalo Art Co., formerly located on Greenwood Avenue in Bend, is moving to the Old Mill and will be open for Art Walk on June 1.

“In an endeavor to support the arts and add even more local color to the Old Mill, we were presented with this great opportunity,” says Luckey Higdon. “We didn’t get a lot of foot traffic at our old location on Greenwood, so we decided to trust ourselves and move forward.” Tumalo Art Co. is a collective of artists who operate the gallery space. Leagjeld explains, “When someone walks in the door, they are greeted by an artist, someone who knows and is passionate about the artwork, as opposed to a salesperson.”

Luckey Higdon adds, “we think the reason our collective has worked so far is the way we’re organized. Tracy and I handle things like the bookkeeping, public relations and marketing, so the artists don’t have to think about that.” Though Leagjeld and Luchey Higdon handle management duties the move to the Old Mill was a total group decision. “After discussing our options everyone was on board…we didn’t lose one artist. We’ll be open seven days a week, so we’ll all be working more days than before. It was a risk considering the state of the economy, a leap of faith,” they say.

A trip to the Tumalo Art Co. is worth every minute. Patrons can choose from a wide variety of artistic representations, including oils, watercolor, pastels, mixed media, photography, encaustics, monotypes and limited edition gliclees, in addition to ceramics, glass, mosaics and a limited amount of jewelry. Stop by Tumalo Art Co.’s new location June 1 at the Old Mill and stay tuned for a grand opening later this summer.

“We plan on painting outside upon occasion and want the space to be colorful and active,” says Luckey Higdon. “One of the nice things about the Old Mill is it’s clean with nice wide sidewalks, so we can leave the door open and have events outside.” The Tumalo Art Co. has grown steadily over the years in its former location on NW Greenwood. “This space has been our foundation,” says Tracy Leagjeld. “We’ve grown strong here and feel like the move to the Old Mill just makes good sense. It’s where we need to grow in the future.” Information: 541/385-9144 and www.tumaloartco.com Tumalo Art Co.450 SW Powerhouse Drive, #407 Bend, OR 97701 Hours of Operation: Monday-Saturday, 10am-8pm; Sunday 11-6

ENCORES

Days of Culture Calendar
Seeks Event Listings

The third annual Oregon Days of Culture will take place October 1-8. Presented by the Oregon Cultural Trust, Oregon Days of Culture promotes programming by cultural organizations in Oregon during that time. Heritage organizations can post their events on the Oregon Days of Culture website www.oregondaysofculture.org until Sept. 17.  Presented by the Oregon Cultural Trust, Oregon Days of Culture promotes your programming by showcasing the everyday culture that occurs in every Oregon community. The searchable, interactive website, www.oregondaysofculture.org, makes it easy to sample Oregon culture and encourages donations to support it.  The promotional campaign for the 2010 celebration is cultural confessions. You may be a medical researcher, a fisherman, or a small town mayor but what’s your cultural confession? Are you really a tap dancer, a poet or a plein air painter? When you go to www.oregondaysofculture.org, you’ll find out. That site will not only be the source for all things cultural from October 1 - 8, 2010, it will also allow blog posts of cultural confessions as well posts of photos and videos that depict your Oregon culture.  

Local Dancers Make The Grade
Nineteen ballet dancers, from Bend’s Academie de Ballet Classique, have successfully passed the stringent requirements of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) Graded Examinations. RAD Graded Examinations, which are conducted by a certified RAD specialist, include specific focus on classical technique, theatrical character dance and lyrical studies.  This is the first time the examinations have ever been held in Bend, according to Valerie Holgers, owner of Academie de Ballet Classique.  Holgers recently reinstated her RAD certification status and says, “Passing these examinations is extremely important to dancers who plan to pursue ballet as a career path.  The Royal Academy of Dance represents the highest standards in excellence and we were honored to hold examinations at Academie de Ballet Classique. 

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show Contributes
The 35th anniversary of Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show attracted thousands of visitors to Sisters to view a record 1,350 quilts on display in this one-day show - the largest of its kind in the world.  The generosity of visitors enabled the show to distribute over $15,000 to Central Oregon school groups and non-profit organizations.Wish Upon a Card, the show’s signature fundraiser, generated $12,750 for Wendy’s Wish Foundation/St. Charles Cancer Treatment Center.  Money is raised through a silent auction and sale of donated fabric postcards.   Materials and labor to custom-frame 80 of the cards was donated by Myrna Dow of High Desert Gallery of Sisters and Bend.  The fundraiser is also sponsored by D.A. Davidson & Co.In a new partnership for 2010, Kiwanis Club of Sisters and Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show shared the proceeds of the show’s annual raffle quilt which generated a near record $8,412.  A check $2,103, 25 percent of the proceeds, was donated to Kiwanis to support their community services in Sisters.  Members of the Kiwanis organization sold raffle tickets throughout the spring and their members take on key volunteer roles during the event.An $8,000 grant from Meyer Memorial Trust enabled the organization to create a volunteer database to improve its efficiency in recruiting, scheduling, confirming & tracking its volunteers.  OPB is One of Sisters Folk Festival’s New Sponsors Sisters Folk Festival Inc. has worked hard to remain a viable, healthy advocate for music and arts education in the schools as well as providing year-round cultural arts offerings in Sisters Country. Sponsorship has remained steady for the event and several new businesses have come on board as sponsors. Black Butte Ranch will be a Premier-level sponsor and will work with Sisters Folk Festival Inc. on all their events including My Own Two Hands, the Winter Concert Series and other off-season events.  Poppies, a café and nursery, will be a Community-level sponsor. They will be providing all of the plant materials used for decorations throughout the Sisters Folk Festival. North Branch Construction and Design has joined the Festival for the first time as a Community-level sponsor.