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Friday, February 13, 2009
Greetings to all Oregon Crafted artists, crafters, partners, and supporters!
This year brings exciting changes to Oregon Crafted. As we are changing programming to a Spring Open Studio weekend (this year will be May 2nd & 3rd) and a Fall Artist Show (tba), the Board of Directors has developed a strategic plan for Oregon Crafted. This plan includes more promotion for each event in local communities, holding additional workshops for artists, and locating a larger office space. Over the next few months, I will expand about each of these projects.
We need a larger office since Pam Coté was hired as Development Director. Pam joined the staff on February 4th and is responsible for grant writing. She will work closely with me on developing the funding base for Oregon Crafted.
Included in the strategic plan is the opening of the membership to artists statewide. We now have an artist application process and an annual membership fee. Pass this along to any artists you may know. Contact the Office through the website or by phone (541-687-8353) for application packets.
We welcome comments, suggestions, personal experiences (see A Hands-on Art Experience), announcements, and artist write-ups. Please send them by the 5th of the month.
As Joan Shea stated, we are focusing on two special events per year: an Open Studio Weekend in the Spring, and a Group Show in the Fall (tba). However, artists can be contacted for studio visit appointments at any time through the 2nd Edition Oregon Crafted Guidebook and through the Oregon Crafted website (www.oregoncrafted.org). The artists are more than happy to open their studios to you and talk about their art. Guidebooks can be ordered online at www.oregoncrafted.org or call the Oregon Crafted office at 541-687-8353.
Oh My Gosh! I blew my own glass float.
As a combined Birthday and Christmas present I went with two friends to the Eugene Glass School to blow a glass float apiece.
We walked into the Eugene Glass School on a cold wet late afternoon. There was a buzz of activity around an artist working on a glass piece. There were several furnaces glowing hot, and we soon pealed out of your jackets, hats and gloves. While the staff and volunteers prepared to help us, we watched the activities, read and signed the paperwork to allow us to participate.
After a short introduction, it was time for someone to go first. So I stepped forward, I had been there before and watched someone else blow a float. First, what colors of glass did I want to use? Did I want a float or a paperweight? Red, purple and gold and a float, please. I worked in tandem with one of the glass artists, each step was explained and demonstrated for me. The glass on the tip of the pipe changed color as it cooled or was heated. Colored glass was added; it changed color as it heated. After each step in the shaping, forming, and blowing into the glass, my wonderful creation was placed back into the “glory hole” to reheat. When it was completed, it was tapped from the pipe, a base was added, and placed in a kiln. It takes about 24 hrs for the glass to cool.
After each of us took our turn and left our prized creations to cool, we went to dinner. We each concluded that we had had a wonderful time. It was something that each of us had always wanted to do, but never thought that we could. Two of us have asthma and were concerned that we would not be able to blow into the glass. All I can say is that it was not a problem, the staff at the school is very helpful and encouraging, and lastly, I love my float.
There are several places to watch glassblowing or make your own. Short list includes...
Julie Reisner, Oregon Crafted artist and Board Member
Hello everyone, I am the current artist representative to the OC Board. This is a wonderful opportunity to become knowledgeable about the organization and our fine staff. It is also an opportunity to get in touch with the challenges facing all organizations as we go forward, and to work with a great group of accomplished people to chart a future course.
As a ceramic artist I have worked almost exclusively in high-fire porcelain and stoneware. My work is firmly rooted in Asian traditional forms and glazes. To work with elemental materials is to be continually in dialogue with their properties, to dwell in the constancy of change in process and person. The changes on the planet and in our global human family inspire my work now, and form and surface treatments will reflect these interests.
A letter from Pam Coté, Development Director
I’m honored to be introducing myself to you as Oregon Crafted’s first Development Director. Having recently relocated to the Eugene area from Seattle, WA, I’m looking forward to jumping in and becoming a part of my new community. As the spouse of a working artist, I love the idea of being an integral part of developing new resources and experiences for both artists and art lovers alike. I have a background in nonprofit fundraising both professionally and as a volunteer, and have received specialized training through the University of Washington Fundraising Management program. In the coming weeks and months, I look forward to meeting you and to begin the process of building strong relationships that will enable Oregon Crafted to continue to thrive. Thank you for welcoming me to the Oregon Crafted team.
Oregon Crafted Website Update
We are in the process of updating the Oregon Crafted Artist & Gallery Directories, listing current hours and/or by appointment information for each Oregon Crafted artist and gallery. Artists and galleries with websites will have a live link to their websites for you to learn more about them and see more of their art!
Other Opportunities
Call to Artists
Oregon Made For Interiors, Maude Kerns Art Center
12th Biennial Exhibit: May 29 - June 26, 2009
Deadline for Submissions: Friday, April 10, 2009
The Maude Kerns Art Center invites Oregon artists to submit to the 12th biennial Oregon Made for Interiors exhibit, featuring high quality, handmade furniture, tapestries, light fixtures, wall hangings, and other artistic furnishings. The deadline for submissions is Friday, April 10, 2009. All entries will be judged from five color images on CD. There is a $15 submission fee. For a prospectus/application form, contact the Art Center at 541-345-1571 or visit the Center's website at www.mkartcenter.org.
Maude Kerns Art Center programs are supported in part by the Lane Arts Council, with support from the City of Eugene Cultural Services Division, and community members.