“Mulholland Drive,” Brandy Gibbins

Reception Saturday, February 7 from 6–7:30pm

The art exhibit on display at South Stage Cellars right now is a truly special one. Every year the Cellar’s “Rising Stars” music competition benefits a local nonprofit, and this year they chose LIFE Art, a Medford-based program helping Rogue Valley youth overcome a wide range of difficulties by learning to paint with guidance from artist mentors. I had the opportunity to meet Phil Ortega, founder of LIFE Art, when he and several of the program’s mentors and students were hanging their show. I was deeply moved by the story of LIFE Art and impressed not only by the caring and generous heart of this compassionate man, but the overall quality, ingenuity and expression in the youths’ paintings.

In the spring of 2010, Mr. Ortega was working late at night in the shop where he fixes old cars

Continue reading LIFE Art – LIVE. INSPIRE. FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION. at South Stage Cellars