ArtistsBillofRights.org reviews competitions and appeals seeking creative content, listing those that respect your copyrights and highlighting those that don't. Art Matters! publishes calls to artists, and not all of them may be compliant with ABoR's standards. Visit their site to learn more.
By Brooke Nuckles, 218 contributed posts
View all Brooke Nuckles's posts. About the author:
**Art Explorations Mini Workshop**
Acrylic Painting On Wet Media Film!
When: Thursday, October 25th, 2018
Where: Central Art classroom
Time: 2:00 – 3:30pm
Fee: $7*
Join artist Aaron Hoerber in this unique Art Explorations Mini Workshop, focusing on Grafix Wet Media Dura-Lar Film!
Find out just how versatile this amazing product can be as Aaron briefly covers its uses for colored pencil, image transfers, alcohol ink markers and watercolors, then dive right into a step-by-step hands-on acrylic painting project using a unique multi-layered technique!
All supplies will be provided.
*Pre-registration is required for all workshops. Call 541-773-1444 or visit Central Art to pre-register. Payment is required at time of pre-registration.
Space is limited, sign up NOW to get in on this exciting product sampler!
By Brooke Nuckles, 218 contributed posts
View all Brooke Nuckles's posts. About the author:
Ever meet a new artist in town who so impressed you, you wanted to share them? Well, allow me to introduce to you:
M I C H A E L L Y N N A D A M S
Please consider attending this presentation and
get to know Michael in person
Ashland Art Salon
Michael Lynn Adams
October 28, 2-3 pm.
Ashland Public Library
Michael Lynn Adams is the artist speaker at the Ashland Art Salon, held in the Ashland Public Library, October 28, 2-3pm. Adams’ luminous still life and figurative oil paintings reflect his deep appreciation for beauty and simplicity found in everyday life. He will be talking about his background, his life as an artist, and share thoughts about why and how he creates his art. Several of his still life, floral and figurative paintings will be on display at the Salon.
Adams’ award-winning paintings have been exhibited in numerous international and national shows including, Salon International, Oil Painters of America National, and California Art Club Gold Medal exhibitions; and are in private and museum collections across the United States. In 2012 Adams co-founded The Representational Art Conference (TRAC), the premier international conference focused on the philosophical foundations of contemporary representational art.
By Brooke Nuckles, 218 contributed posts
View all Brooke Nuckles's posts. About the author:
Now in its 27th year presenting new works for the stage, new play incubator Ashland New Plays Festival will present its flagship Fall Festival, in a weeklong run of dramatic readings of works from award-winning playwrights October 17 through 21. ANPF is proud that many past winning plays and playwrights have received world premieres and won top honors, including 2016 ANPF Women’s Invitational winner Martyna Majok for her play Cost of Living, which won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
This year ANPF features four new plays – chosen from 400 worldwide submissions – that take audiences on unique journeys. The first is through 19th century England and a woman’s struggle to make her scientific work known in The Excavation of Mary Anning by Ian August, directed by Penny Metropulos. Another sees a suburban American community rocked by a sexual assault allegation in Cold Spring by Victor Lesniewski, directed by Terri McMahon. In Primary User by Nate Eppler, directed by Kyle Haden, a technological advancement made in the not too distant future shows the universality of grief. Finally, a contemporary woman’s world is dramatically altered by the long-reaching ramifications of Argentina’s Dirty War from the 1970s and ‘80s in Stephanie Alison Walker’s The Abuelas, directed by Ricardo Gutierrez.
“We like to think of ANPF as an oasis for playwrights,” says ANPF Artistic Director Kyle Haden, “ANPF offers the winning playwrights invaluable time and tools to gain insights and make significant progress on their plays while working alongside world-class actors and directors as well as engaging with audiences at talkbacks following dramatic reading performances of their plays.”
All readings are held in Ashland at the Unitarian Center located at 87 Fourth Street. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased online and at the door as available. The box office opens one hour before showtime.
A playwriting panel and workshop led by host playwright and award-winning writer Beth Kander will be held on Saturday, October 20, beginning at 9:00 am at the Unitarian Center for $10, cash or check, at the door. Reserve a space by emailing [email protected]. Kander will also be giving a book talk at Medford’s Barnes and Noble on Tuesday, October 16, at 6:00 pm to discuss the first book in her trilogy “Original Syn.”
Continue reading for more Festival details.
—
The Festival’s opening night is Wednesday, October 17 at 7:30 pm, and will take audiences on a comic, surreal, and tragic journey based on real-life 19th century paleontologist and fossil collector Mary Anning in The Excavation of Mary Anning by Ian August. The story unfolds as Anning makes great scientific discoveries while being shunned by the male-only Geological Society of London. Leading an all-female cast is Alejandra Escalante as the title character alongside Jennie Greenberry, Michele Mais, Shannon R. Davis, Livia Genise, Meghan Nealon, and Marie-Claire Erdynast. Coming to Ashland from New Jersey, playwright August said, “[This is] a play about strong women pushing beyond the expectations of society, which is perhaps more necessary to explore in 2018 than it has been elsewhere in recent history.” This play also has a matinee performance on Saturday, October 20, at 1:30 pm.
The next play to see is Cold Spring by Victor Lesniewski a simply told story about a complex issue: how members of a tight-knit community respond to allegations of sexual assault against a local sports coach. Christine Williams, U. Jonathan Toppo, Jackie Apodaca, and Tiffany Cooper are parents who both confront and avoid the pain and confusion wrought by the event.
“I grew up in a middle class, suburban community much like the one depicted in Cold Spring [that] experienced similar circumstances… While this is in no way that story,” Lesniewski said, “I felt it necessary to explore what my younger self perceived during that time. I hope the play spurs further discussion about how we (as individuals, as families, as communities) deal with the effects of these types of events, and that such a discussion might lead to further understanding of how we can better empathize with each other and better support each other in the most difficult of times.”
Cold Spring performances are Thursday, October 18, at 1:30 pm and Friday, October 19 at 7:30 pm.
On Thursday night at 7:30 pm, playwright Nate Eppler of Nashville, TN, explores the process of grief in a computerized world with his play Primary User. Daniel José Molina is Oz and Esther Chen is Mia, two computer engineers who create a breakthrough piece of technology: a digital assistant named Ozee with near artificial intelligence – which retains the memories, conversations, and voice of one of the creators. After Oz dies and the technology remains, those who are left behind work through reconciling the past and moving forward.
“The play isn’t really about the technology,” said Eppler, “It is far more about how grief unravels us, how it makes us rewrite our histories, how it puts us in competition or cooperation with unexpected rivals or allies, how memories of the dead are tangible things that must be grappled with.”
Also starring Catherine Lynn Davis, Elizabeth Gudenrath, and Scott Ford, Primary User has a second performance on the final day of the Festival, Sunday, October 21, at 3:00 pm.
The fourth play is The Abuelas by second-time ANPF winner Stephanie Alison Walker, whose companion play The Madres won at ANPF 2016. Set in contemporary Chicago, the play illuminates the devastating and far-reaching repercussions of Argentina’s Dirty War in the 1970s and ‘80s. The story centers on an Argentinian concert cellist living in the US who is adjusting to life as a first-time mother when two strangers visit and expose a 37-year-old secret, dramatically altering the woman’s understanding of herself and her life. The play features Nancy Rodriguez, Vilma Silva, and Angela Hernandez with Alina Ceñal, Willem Long, Scott Patrick Ragle, and Nolan Sanchez. Rodriguez, Silva, and Sanchez were also in The Madres at ANPF 2016. ANPF is excited to work with director Ricardo Gutierrez on this play, as he directed the world premiere of The Madres in 2018 and will direct the world premiere of The Abuelas in 2019 at Teatro Vista in Chicago.
“Exactly one year after writing the first draft of The Madres,” Walker said, “I sat down to write its sequel with the intention of exploring the consequences of Argentina’s last dictatorship that reverberate today. In August 2018, after 42 years of searching, the 128th grandchild was identified. This means that over 300 have yet to be found. They’ve lived their entire lives not knowing the truth about their identities. It’s still unfolding, this history. Identities, long ago stolen, are being restored. And it’s not easy. None of it, as the characters in this play discover, is easy.”
The Abuelas is performed on Friday, October 19, at 1:30 pm and Saturday, October 20, at 7:30 pm.
Tickets are $20 available online or at the door. Visit ANPF’s website to learn more: www.ashlandnewplays.org.
—
For Community Calendars:
Who: Ashland New Plays Festival
What: ANPF 2018 Fall Festival – Four winning playwrights’ new plays presented as dramatic readings with professional actors and directors
When: Wednesday, October 17, through Sunday, October 21, with evening performances Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 pm; matinees at 1:30 pm Thursday through Saturday; and final matinee on Sunday at 3:00 pm
Where: Unitarian Center, 87 Fourth Street, Ashland
Tickets: $20, available online and at the door as available. Box office opens one hour prior to showtime.
Also: Playwriting panel and workshop Saturday, October 20, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm ($10, cash or check at the door; email [email protected] to reserve a space)
By Brooke Nuckles, 218 contributed posts
View all Brooke Nuckles's posts. About the author:
Detail of ASHLAND CREEK IN AUTUMN – pastel, Marilyn Hurst
NEW EXHIBIT IN THE COMMUNITY GALLERY
IN THE COMMUNITY GALLERY
Southern Oregon Impressions
by Marilyn Hurst
October 5-November 16, 2018
THE GRAND GIANT SEQUOIA – pastel, Marilyn Hurst
Reception: Friday, October 19, 5:00-8:00 pm
Southern Oregon artist Marilyn Hurst finds inspiration for her paintings in various subjects like a peaceful landscape, beautiful flowers or the character of an old barn. She works primarily in pastel and watercolor.
ROGUE GALLERY’S 2018 ANNUAL AUCTION
Puttin’ on the Glitz
Saturday, October 20, 2018, 5pm
at the Rogue Valley Country Club
2660 Hillcrest Road, Medford
The annual auction is our biggest fundraiser and a great night of fun, food, music and deals!
This special evening includes a cocktail hour, a sit down dinner, swing dancers with music by “Band du Pays Swing” (listen to them HERE>>.
There will be both a live auction with a professionial auctioner and a silent auction. The items include art and collectibles, wine tours, cultural events, family adventures, restuarant gift certificates, local items and trip packages. Plus there will be a members’ art exhibit.
It is a festive way to support the gallery. Tickets $65
4 Sessions, Thursdays, 11am-3pm,
October 25, through November 15, 2018
Woodblock Prints have been created for centuries to capture a variety of subject matter. Using influences from cultures of the West and the East, this class will explore various techniques for creating timeless woodblock prints.
Walt Padgett earned his BFA and MFA from Florida State University. He was one of the original staff members of Rogue Community College, where he taught for over 30 years and served as the Art Department Chairman for twelve. He studied Japanese woodblock printmaking in Japan. Mr. Padgett has received many awards for his works in painting, sculpture, and printmaking, including the Takanabe Town Mayor’s Prize for a woodblock print exhibited at the Takanabe Museum (Kyushu, Japan). See his website at waltpadgett.com. See the materials list HERE>>
MEMBERS $290, NON-MEMBERS $300
To Register, call (541) 772-8118 or come by the gallery Tuesday – Friday,
10am-5pm & Saturday 11am-3pm or register on our website HERE>>
The Rogue Gallery & Art Center is the Rogue Valley’s premier non-profit community art center founded in 1960 to promote and nurture the visual arts in the Rogue Valley. The Art Center showcases emerging and established artists, presents fine crafts by area artisans, and offers a broad range of visual art classes and workshops for all ages.
Rogue Gallery & Art Center is located in downtown Medford at 40 South Bartlett Street. The hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. We are open every third Friday until 8:00pm.
By Brooke Nuckles, 218 contributed posts
View all Brooke Nuckles's posts. About the author:
Join us for the Ashland Gallery Association First Friday Art Walk
Ashland’s year-round celebration of Visual Arts culture!
Exhibit openings and artist receptions
October 5th from 5 to 8 PM
Stroll the galleries downtown & the Historic Railroad District.
Enjoy this free community event filled with a diverse array of artwork, artist demonstrations, live music, refreshments and lively conversation! Pick up a Gallery Tour Map at any member gallery or download the October Art Walk map off our website.
Here is a sampling of our October exhibits & special events…
Art & Soul Gallery Mountains and More, Paintings by Carla Griffin
“It is my desire to awaken in the viewer the delight that arises from careful observation.” Carla J Griffin, PSO Carla presents her exquisite, realistic Oil and Pastel paintings. Her expressive landscapes depict the world through her observations and vision. Carla’s works will be exhibited through the month of October. Please join us for a festive opening on First Friday, October 5, from 5-8 PM. Carla has won numerous local awards for her art including Painting of the Year from Southern Oregon Society of Artists and Best of Show from the Josephine County Artists Association. Griffin has also been accepted into four Pastel Society of Oregon’s judged shows with awards in two of them and is now a Signature member. The Pastel Society of the West Coast also accepted an entry from Griffin. Image caption: Carla Griffin, “Smith Rock”, painting
Art & Soul 20thBirthday Celebration We will celebrate bringing Fine Art to Ashland and the surrounding communities on Friday, October 26, from 5-8 PM. Join us for birthday cake, wine, music and of course fine art!
Schneider Museum of Art Fall Exhibitions September 28th, 2018 – January 5th, 2019 Opening Thursday, September 27th, Museum Members and Volunteers VIP reception 4-5pm, General Public, 5-7pm
Entry Gallery: Terrain: The Space Betweenfrom the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation. Featuring work by Vija Celmins, Judy Pfaff and Ed Ruscha
Main Gallery: Field Burns, a solo exhibition by Patrick Collier Heiter and Treehaven Galleries: Outland About, a two-person exhibition featuring Carl Diehl and Susan Murrell. Curated by Patrick Collier
The exhibitions will be complemented with First Fridays, FREE Family Daysand Tuesday Tours – drop in docent-led tours of the exhibition held every Tuesday at 12:30 PM.
Image caption: Patrick Collier, “Gate Burn”, digital print
SPECIAL EVENT! Riding Beyond Healing HeArts – Breast Cancer Awareness and Fundraiser
Riding Beyond is a non-profit organization that opens doors to the future for breast cancer survivors through in-depth experiences in the horse/human connection. In support of October Breast Cancer Awareness Month, local businesses will participate in this fundraiser by providing gifts for a raffle on First Friday and cash donation jars throughout October.
Ashland Art Center Collage Making Event Ashland Art Center will host a collage making event:Horses and the HumanHeart, conducted by Riding Beyond participants and volunteers during October First Friday Art Walk. Find out how horses provide life-changing benefits for the many after-effects of breast cancer treatment, often lingering for years. Hear stories from participants of their enthusiasm for the “miracles” that unfold for them. See videos of interactions with the horses. Create your own collage to take home the power of the horse to benefit your own life.
Find more information at ridingbeyond.org. This event is part of Riding Beyond’s city-wide public awareness campaign on October First Friday:Healing HeArts.
Participating Galleries and Businesses:
American Trails:Gifting a $50 gift certificate Ashland Art Center:Artists Gifts Basket; plus they are hosting the Collage Event Ashland Art Works: $50 gift certificate *Be Cherished Salon: Gift Basket *Imani Institute of Cosmetology: Gift Basket *KIXX :$50 gift certificate *Lark’s:(Medford) $100 gift certificate Manzanita on Main:Barnwood framed Giclee by Texas artist Mary Gregory Melanie Macinnes: 20% of all her art sold that evening Platt-Anderson Cellars: 20% of sales October 5th; Gift Bag of Wine for raffle Pony Expresso: Coffee Gift Basket (needs a sign); plus donating 10% of their sales on Oct. 5th POSH Organics: Skincare Boutique Spa: Gift Basket *Sew Creative: $50 gift card, including a private shopping experience after store hours for up to 5 *Strands Salon: Gift Basket The Crown Jewel:a $35 gift certificate Three Penny Mercantile:$50 gift certificate *Umpqua Bank: wine and treats gift basket Walton Art House:silver and gold ring with a moonstone (valued at $100) handcrafted by Denver artist, featured for the month of October
*These galleries/businesses are supporting the Healing HeArts event with a donation to be raffled off the evening of October 5th, although they will not be open for business during the hours of the First Friday Art Walk.
Ashland Art Works Rogue Valley Views: Woodworking, Furniture, and Paintings
Visit us this month to see new offerings by painter Michael Gibson, who took inspiration from Oregon’s Bear Creek Wine Trail, and furniture maker John Weston, who uses woods found and sourced in the Rogue Valley. Come by and meet the artists at First Friday on October 5. Michael’s style is unique and at the same time inspired by works of post-impressionist artists. For this show, he traveled Oregon’s Southernmost Bear Creek Wine Trail and painted views from the wineries. The oil paintings are on particleboard, which provides an interesting texture. Michael received his BFA from Houston Museum of Fine Arts. He has worked as a designer, art director and taught life drawing, illustration, painting, graphic design and photography at Art Institute of Houston and the Art Institute of Seattle.
Becoming a part of a cooperative of artists has inspired John Weston to stretch his woodworking and to combine form with function. His work is intended to provide generations of use and enjoyment. Mortise and tenon joinery, mitred splines, dowels, dovetails. and floating tenons are a few of his favorite construction techniques. John’s work consistently attempts to highlight the natural beauty found in selected pieces of lumber. He collects unique pieces of lumber and finds enjoyment in sharing their beauty with others. When using exotic woods, he tries to purchase certified lumber that is harvested from tree farms. John’s greatest satisfaction comes from using woods native to Oregon.
Image caption: Michael Gibson, oil painting
Gallerie Karon Faces, Hidden and Revealed
Masks, Puppets and Portraits There are a couple of twists to the annual mask and puppet show this year at Gallerie Karon. We’ve added portraits to the mix that will include work by Robert Paulmenn, Pam Danielle, Brooks Garden Hauschild and Richard LeVitt among others.
The most unusual offering is from a private collection of vintage ventriloquist dummies. It’s rare to see a grouping like this and all for sale! Hand puppets are also in the evidence and many, many animals are represented. We even have stringed marionettes! Our extensive mask collection comes from all over the world. It includes helmet, face and shoulder masks. (We have a few fun ones for Halloween wearing too!)
Image caption: Ventriloquist Dummy
SPECIAL EVENT! Coming October 13th & 14th! 5th Annual Ashland Open Studio Tour Free public event
Come Into Our Studios… The Ashland Gallery Association sponsors the Ashland Open Studio Tour on the weekend of October 13th and 14th from 11-5 PM. The public is invited to tour the private studios of visual artists in our region, including Ashland, Phoenix and Talent. On this Studio Tour you will find exceptional artwork and are invited to see working studios and artworks in progress. This is a great chance to engage with the artists and ask questions about their work and individual creative processes. Demonstrations are scheduled throughout the two-day tour.
Art du Jour Gallery 213 East Main Street, Medford, OR 770-3190 (Tues. – Sat., 10-4)
During the months of October and November, Debby Fisher’s work will be featured in the Salon and Millie Clarke will be the featured artist on the feature wall at Art du Jour Gallery, 213 E. Main in Medford. On Third Friday 9/21 music will be provided by the Minstrel Streams, 5-8 pm.
Debby Fisherreceived her art education from many venues majoring in art education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, studying drawing at Virginia Commonwealth University, and a plethora of workshops along life’s journey. In the mid 90’s, after settling in Oregon with her family, Debby studied commercial art with Semyon Bilmes, who now leads Atelier Maui. After a time in the illustration business, she was drawn back to oil painting through the work of great artists, such as Michael Dudash and Chris Hopkins, who she had the privilege of connecting with and learning from through the Masterpiece Christian Artists Conferences. Now doing commissioned pieces and gallery paintings that reflect the beauty God surrounds us with every day, her work is in many private collections across the country.
Millie Clarkeis an acrylic abstract artist who enjoys using texture in her painting to achieve depth. She has always loved the paintings of Van Gogh and Picasso so she began copying on of each artist. She is still on an exploration to learn new methods and trying new materials. Like my mentors, I became an abstract painter learning the meaning of the expression “The Agony and the Ecstasy”. The joy she feels comes from the unexpected surprises that arise from mixing colors and methods. The agony comes at the beginning when she is looking at a blank canvas. When asked, she says, “After all, I am an abstract artist, so new paintings come from my mind, my hands, and usually not from the things around me. I continue to learn by experimenting and seeking the counsel of other artists. I have embraced Pablo Piccasso’s philosophy, I am always doing that which I cannot do in order to learn how to do it.”
By Brooke Nuckles, 218 contributed posts
View all Brooke Nuckles's posts. About the author:
Riding Beyond
Healing HeArts – Breast Cancer Awareness and Fundraiser
Riding Beyond is a non-profit organization that opens doors to the future for breast cancer survivors through in-depth experiences in the horse/human connection. In support of October Breast Cancer Awareness Month, local businesses will participate in this fundraiser by providing gifts for a raffle on First Friday and cash donation jars throughout October.
Ashland Art Center Collage Making Event
Ashland Art Center will host a collage making event: Horses and the HumanHeart, conducted by Riding Beyond participants and volunteers during October First Friday Art Walk. Find out how horses provide life-changing benefits for the many after-effects of breast cancer treatment, often lingering for years. Hear stories from participants of their enthusiasm for the “miracles” that unfold for them. See videos of interactions with the horses. Create your own collage to take home the power of the horse to benefit your own life. Find more information at ridingbeyond.org. This event is part of Riding Beyond’s city-wide public awareness campaign on October First Friday: Healing HeArts.
Participating Galleries and Businesses:
American Trails: Gifting a$50 gift certificate
Ashland Art Center: Artists Gifts Basket; plus they are hosting the Collage Event
Ashland Art Works: $50 gift certificate
*Be Cherished Salon: Gift Basket
*Imani Institute of Cosmetology: Gift Basket
*KIXX : $50 gift certificate
Manzanita: Barnwood framed Giclee by Texas artist Mary Gregory
Melanie Macinnes: 20% of all her art sold that evening
Platt-Anderson Cellars: 20% of sales October 5th; Gift Bag of Wine for raffle
Pony Expresso: Coffee Gift Basket (needs a sign); plus donating 10% of their sales on Oct. 5th
POSH Organics: Skincare Boutique Spa: Gift Basket
*Sew Creative: $50 gift card, includinga private shopping experience after store hours for up to 5
*Strands Salon: Gift Basket
The Crown Jewel: a $35 gift certificate
Three Penny Mercantile: $50gift certificate
*Umpqua Bank: wine and treats gift basket
Walton Art House: silver and gold ring with a moonstone (valued at $100) handcrafted by Denver artist, featured for the month of October
*These galleries/businesses are supporting the Healing HeArts event with a donation to be raffled off the evening of October 5th, although they will not be open for business during the hours of the First Friday Art Walk.
By Brooke Nuckles, 218 contributed posts
View all Brooke Nuckles's posts. About the author:
The 12th Annual Empty Bowls event in Grants Pass, Oregon will again be held at Parkway Christian Center located at 229 NE Beacon Drive in Grants Pass on Monday, October 8th at 6:00 PM.Guests choose a handcrafted bowl and then fill their bowl with gourmet soup and bread. The handmade bowl is theirs to take home as a reminder of hunger in our community.
“Empty Bowls is a powerful reminder that, even amid the prosperity of our nation and our community, there are many people who struggle to feed themselves and their families,” says Kevin Widdison, director of the Josephine County Food Bank. “Join us as we reflect on our own good fortune even as we work toward helping those in need.”
Options has partnered with the Josephine County Food Bank for many years to serve people with poverty and hunger issues in our community. Josephine County is one of the most food insecure counties in all of Oregon. In fact, more than 16% of all Josephine County residents, and 25% of children don’t have adequate access to food.
The 2017 Empty Bowls Project was hugely successful with approximately 300 individuals in attendance. The event raised approximately $11,000…enough to make 55,000 meals! Local restaurants, numerous ceramic artists, and many volunteers help to make this annual event possible.
Our 2018 soup sponsors include Casa Amiga, The Laughing Clam, Twisted Cork, Wild River Brewing & Pizza, Ma Mosa’s, The Vine, Taprock Northwest Grill, Climate City Brewing Company, Powderhorn Café, Vinfarm, The Train Depot, and River’s Edge. Clayfolk, Rogue Community College Ceramics, and other local artists have generously donated their time and talent to make more than 250 beautifully handcrafted bowls for this year’s event.
Event sponsors are AllCare CCO, J. D. Fulwiler Insurance Company, First Interstate Bank, Banner Bank, and Evergreen Federal Bank.Please join us for the 12th Empty Bowls event and help alleviate food insecurity in Josephine County. Learn more about how to keep our community healthy and see how YOU are making a difference!
EMPTY BOWLS EVENT
WHEN:Monday, October 8, 2018, 6:00 PM
WHERE: Parkway Christian Center’s Hull Center, 229 NE Beacon Drive, Grants Pass, OR (across from Fred Meyer).
TICKETS:Available at Options for Southern Oregon, 1215 SW ‘G’ Street, Grants Pass or purchase online at www.optionsonline.org. Tickets are $30 each and should be purchased in advance. Ticket price includes a beautiful handmade bowl to take home. There will also be a silent auction of unique pottery during the event, including a Glass Forge bowl. Donations are gratefully accepted. Checks can be made out to Options and mailed to 1215 SW G Street, Grants Pass, OR97526.
FUNDRAISER BENEFICIARY:Options for Southern Oregon and Josephine County Food Bank. Proceeds will help food insecure adults, children and families in our community access food.
CONTACT PERSON:Sarah Small, Development Associate at (541) 476-2373 or email at [email protected]
By Brooke Nuckles, 218 contributed posts
View all Brooke Nuckles's posts. About the author:
ART REVEALING THE GUNFIRE EPIDEMIC.
MAKE A BOX. SEND IT IN. IT COUNTS.
Back to School with The Soul Box Project
Nobody likes to hear school and gun in the same sentence. Schools spent a lot of time and energy preparing for the worst. Like teaching new words to Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star:
“Lockdown. Lockdown. Lock the door. Shut the lights off, say no more. Go behind the desk and hide. Wait until it’s safe inside. Lockdown. Lockdown. It’s all done. Now it’s time to have some fun…”
Or what this teacher says in a note accompanying a delivery of Soul Boxes:
Of course, the stories that haunt us most are about the heartbreaking
shootings that actually happen. But there are also stories about action. For instance, over the past eight months we’ve watched the Parkland, FL students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School build a movement out of their tragedy. Educators, students and parents are also taking action with Soul Boxes. Each is a page in our Soul Box story. Here are some of the ways Soul Boxes are going back to school.
A Day of Courage and Compassion
Last April, Da Vinci Middle School in Portland, OR spent the day making Soul Boxes. The activities were part of the arts magnet school’s full-day exploration of courage and compassion. Soul Box Project founder Leslie Lee visited as the school’s HeArt Learning guest artist.
She started the day speaking to an auditorium of middle schoolers about art, activism, courage and Soul Boxes. Guided by peer leaders, the students then spent their morning classes learning to fold Soul Boxes. Leslie visited classrooms to meet students and answer questions in the afternoon. In their last class of the day, students wrote about their experiences. The feedback from the students and faculty was overwhelmingly positive! If you would like Leslie to visit your school, pleasecontact her here.
Students Explore Their Power for Good
Woodrow Wilson High School students in Portland, OR carried Soul Boxes as part of their activism against gun violence, recorded here on their yearbook page.
Using the Soul Box Project in a service role provides an opportunity for students to engage, act and reflect while fulfilling their state’s high school graduation requirements or credit allowed toward graduation for service-learning/community service. Folding Soul Boxes can be tailored to a one-day project or an ongoing endeavor engaging other students over a set period of time. The individual act of folding a Soul Box, honoring a life lost or affected by gunfire, is meditative and healing. Group folding provides a nonthreatening opportunity for dialogue about gun sense and activism. Working towards a goal tied to a statistic – such as representing the 733 children, 11 and under, shot in 2017 – illustrates the gunfire epidemic, as well as the power of art activism.
Schools wishing to further extend student comprehension on the issue of gun violence can also order a curriculum toolkit from Vision Quilt .
Hannah Taylor and Graham Yotsuya lead a Soul Box workshop on Unity Day at West Linn High School in Oregon. Full story here.
Cheerleaders at Parkrose High School in Portland, OR folded 69 Soul Boxes at the first session of their community service.
School-based activism doesn’t stop when the class bell rings.
A retired teacher sent a set of Soul Boxes. Her note touched on the comfort that can be found, just by folding. “Thank you for letting me express my hurt, anger and frustration with what is happening in our country in a way that’s visual and creative.”
Betty Reynolds, Mark Mandel and other members of Woodrow Wilson High School’s class of ’66 in Portland, OR not only folded 87 Soul Boxes, but raised over $900 for the Project, as well. You can make a donation here.
Even pre-schoolers can contribute to Soul Box making. Here’s an idea to help the littlest hands contribute: Use a cardstocktemplate to outline the area that will show once the Soul Box is folded. Let them decorate the flat paper, then you do the folding. Cynthia Towle DeVore, on our Facebook Soul Box Community group, shared this insight: “For the very youngest we chose to simply call them boxes and not to go into the background. We felt that at 4 years of age it was developmentally too young to go into gun violence..,”
That said, any child who has experienced a lockdown at school deserves a positive, empowering way to respond. This second-grader not only comprehends the issue but shows an innocent compassion for the shooter that few adults would extend.
After the Las Vegas shooting in Oct. 2017 a seven year old boy talks about the SOUL BOX he made.
2 views
And, finally, parents. Soul Box volunteer Stephanie Bugge Wilson – the person who keeps our social media interesting – penned this blog about her experience as a parent with children in lockdown, and how it led her to the Project.
If you’d like to join the Soul Box team, we could use your help! Specifically, we need to hire an Outreach Coordinator in the Portland, OR area. More information here.
On to Salem!
Even with the help of teachers, parents and students we still need thousands of Soul Boxes for our first major installation.
On February 15, 2019 — coincidentally the day after the first anniversary of the Parkland shooting — we’ll fill the Gallery West in the Oregon State Capitol lobby with 36,000 Soul Boxes!
That’s one Soul Box to represent every person shot in the US during a typical year. Legislators and staff will be in session. We will invite them to stop by and add their own Soul Box. This exhibit is also a chance to attract media attention with a parade of 72 volunteers each carrying a clear bag of 500 Soul Boxes in and out of the Capitol. If you want to participate let us know.
With an incredible 22,000 Soul Boxes already contributed, we are over halfway to this first goal — with more exhibitions to come! Gather your friends and family to fold, personalize and send in your Boxes (instructions here). If you’re part of a community, from a book club to a congregation, we have tools to get you organized here. Watch our Facebook page to find weekly Box-folding gatherings around the Portland, OR area. Better yet, start your own, especially if you are in a different state. However you do it:
Make a Box. Send it in. It counts.
Now, more than ever.
Help us spread the word!
Use #soulboxproject and @soulboxproject
when you post to your own media feeds.
