SOAR Welcomes Jacksonville Celebrates the Arts!

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About the author: SOAR: The Southern Oregon Artist's Resource is a directory of Southern Oregon artists, artisans and those who serve them and calendar of their art events, and Art Matters!, our blog posting Southern Oregon art events and matters of interest to artists, enthusiasts and patrons of the arts near and far. SOAR was created and is maintained by art advocate and web designer Hannah West in Jacksonville, Oregon to promote our diverse and talented arts community to our visitors and the rest of the world.

Jacksonville Celebrates the Arts 2011

Today we are proud to add Jacksonville Celebrates the Arts to our listing of Southern Oregon Art Festivals and Events! Volunteer Event Coordinator Jeanena Whitewilson works for months each year to produce an exciting event showcasing the work of regional artists, artisans and musicians.

The festival, which draws an enthusiastic crowd of art lovers to Jacksonville on Labor Day weekend, is part of a long-term initiative to create a Community Center for the town. Though admission is free to the public, entry fees from vendors cover the event’s expenses and contribute to funding for the long-anticipated Community Center. In the process, Whitewilson reinforces the importance of art in our community by featuring a diverse and growing, yet carefully selected group of Pacific Northwest Creatives, accompanied by a full roster of musical talent and food vendors in a festive outdoor arts market layout. Participating artists and artisans will present a variety of handcrafted gemstone, gem, gold, silver, glass jewelry; paintings; photography; wood, metal, leather, gourd & fiber arts; sculpture; lotions & candles; furniture & garden art. As a result, the festival is consistently well attended, with a friendly and energetic atmosphere that’s fun and inspiring for everyone.

This year’s Labor Day event falls on Friday, September 2 from noon to 7pm, and 10am – 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Here are links to media coverage of Jacksonville Celebrates the Arts festivals past:
Medford Mail Tribune article by Katherine Hannon, September 2010
Medford Mail Tribune article by Laurie Heuston, August 2008
The Jacksonville Review, see page 10

Though a good number of artists and artisans who will exhibit quality fine art, jewelry and more are already confirmed on the Celebration’s 2011 roster, Jeanena is still accepting applications, with an active Call to Artists and Vendors in progress now. Artists interested in participating in this year’s event can download the application HERE; this can be filled out and returned by email to jeanenacharter dot net or celebratetheartshotmail dot com, or by postal mail to PO Box 1435, Jacksonville, OR 97530. If you don’t have a Word-compatible program and would like to send your application by mail, please download this version instead {.pdf 3.6Mb}

Please visit the Jacksonville Celebrates the Arts festival’s new listing to RSVP to the event on Facebook and find further contact information. Look for additional news and announcements here at Art Matters! as Labor Day draws near.