(Artwork by John Bell) John Bell is a painter who has spent a career influencing some of the most iconic pieces of media that many of us grew up with. From designing cars in Detroit and Nike shoes in Oregon to his work as a special effects artist/concept artist for studios like Atari, Lucas Films,…
Red Chair Gallery Closes
(Photo by Sue Dougherty, Offleash Photography) Red Chair Gallery, the beloved art gallery that has occupied the corner of NW Bond and Oregon in Downtown Bend for the last 16 years, will be closing its doors at the start of this new year. The gallery’s manager/owner, Rita Dunlavy, is retiring, and there are no plans…
School of Rock
(Photo by Noah Nelson) A new musical institution has opened its doors in Bend, promising to offer musical lessons and a fun, safe space to learn for students of all ages. School of Rock opened their doors on October 9 of this year. Instead of the traditional ribbon cutting, the owners, Niki and Jeff Reading,…
New Gallery Expands Madras Art Scene
(Photos courtesy of River Ridge Art) Founded by Kristen Horn, the River Ridge Art Gallery is the newest addition to the Central Oregon art scene, helping expand the burgeoning Madras art scene. Kristin used to work as a real estate agent who had a passion for painting. Real estate paid the bills, but her passion…
A Silent Brush in Search of Sound
(Artwork by Newhart) Bob Newhart is an abstract artist based here in Bend, who was selected as the Artist in Residence for the Bend Visitor Center for the month of July. His visual work as a painter is heavily influenced by his love of music; jazz and classical musicians like Miles Davis, John Coletrane, Thelonious…
The Stitchin’ Post
(Photo courtesy of The Stitchin’ Post) Jean Wells, the founder and owner of Sisters’ Stitchin’ Post, has loved to sew ever since she was a little girl. So much so that she went to OSU to become a home economics teacher, giving her the experience and skills needed to open her business in 1975. “I…
Brett Mitchell & the Sunriver Music Festival
(Photo courtesy of Sunriver Music Festival) The Sunriver Music Festival will be celebrating its 48th season this year in 2025. Leading the show for his fourth consecutive year is Artistic Director and Conductor Brett Mitchell. Mitchell’s career has carried him to stages across the country, from being the music director for the Pasadena Symphony, to…
Mortality, Subarus & Psych Ward Pink
((L-R) Collier Glacier, Infrared Series – Middle Sister from the PCT and The Fourth Wall by Emyn Trocméc) “In opposition to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the starving artist will gladly live out of his Subaru just to be close to the mountains,” said Emyn Trocméc, a former psych ward counselor with hopes of attaining his…
Whimsical, Fantastical & Local
(Photo courtesy of Flying Horse Gallery) The Flying Horse Gallery is a new family and artist owned stop for art in Sisters. The gallery is run by a father, mother and daughter trio; Brad and Sloane are the resident father-daughter artists, while the background is managed by Dale. The family owning the gallery is steeped…
Entangle
((inset) Caitlin McDonough and Rachel Lee-Carman | Photos courtesy of Invisible Thread Events) An Immersive Art Exhibit Invisible Thread Events was founded two years ago by Caitlin McDonough with the goal of bringing connection, and more house shows, to Bend. Wanting to get more into the underground art and music scene but not knowing where…