Archive for September, 2009
Posted by Lloyd Purdy on 30 September
We hope that you’ve marked your calendars because this Friday denotes the start of our monthly First Friday event. Our October Arts in Action event is sponsored by Coffee Rush, and it’s going to be great! We have a lot planned for the evening, so we hope to see you there enjoying the live art, live music, and lively fun! The weather might be a bit chilly, so be sure to stop by Coffee Rush for a free cup of hot coffee.
We’ve interviewed four artists that will be showcasing their art on October 2nd. These “Meet the Artist” articles are in the News & Press section of our website. You can read about some of the wonderful artists that will be participating from the Three Rivers Artist Guild here: Diane Wright, Mary Wonser, Bradd Aubry, and Galen Hayes.
Here’s what’s happening at Arts in Action:
Friday October 2nd, 4-7pm
- Live Music and Featured Artwork at Winestock at 820 Main Street.
- Arts in Windows Exhibit at 900 Main Street Suite 104.
- Art in Windows Exhibit at Fournier Group at 814 Main Street.
- Meet the Artist at Busch Furniture at 804 Main Street.
- Featured Artwork at Mi Famiglia at 701 Main Street.
- Meet the Artists at Pilates with Fe at 702 Main Street.
- Art in Windows Exhibit at ECP Copy at 623 Main Street.
- Live Music and Meet the Artist at The Caufield House at 723 Main Street.
- Art in Windows at Madco Draperies and Floor Coverings at 818 Main Street.
- Twenty Five Artists showcasing their talent and creative process at Coffee Rush at 900 Main Street.
See you Downtown!
Be sure to check back for photos from the festivities!
Posted in Home
Posted by Lloyd Purdy on 30 September
Downtown Oregon City’s newest event, Arts in Action…Fueled by Coffee Rush, is part of a First Friday series that highlights the creative process of local artists. Diane Wright works with pottery and is a Three Rivers Artist Guild member participating in this event on Friday, October 2nd, in downtown Oregon City.
Diane Wright started making pottery in 2002. A friend had convinced her to take a pottery class at Clackamas Community College. One class led to another, and before Diane knew it, she had fallen in love with pottery. She immersed herself in seminars, workshops, and books on pottery. Diane explains, “I slowly began to buy my own equipment, and now I’m knee-deep in clay and loving it!”
Diane’s technique involves hand-building objects out of slabs of clay. She enjoys creating whimsical figures such as chickens. She also creates birdbaths, large vases, and totems. “Most of my pieces could belong in your garden just as easily as they could belong inside.” She strays from the conventional purposes for pottery and sticks to her motto; “there’s no fine china here!” She glazes her pieces in earthy rust colors and has also begun using reds and oranges. Although her specialty is in working with slabs, she occasionally uses the pottery wheel as well. In fact, she will be bringing her wheel to The Caufield House on October 2nd. People attending this First Friday Arts in Action event will be able to watch Diane at work and see many of her finished pieces for sale around the café. Diane is not used to displaying her work at places other than the fair, but she’s encouraged by The Caufield House’s enthusiasm about the event. She looks forward to sharing her passion for working with clay. Diane comments, “Arts in Action is a good way to let the local people know of the great art that is located right in this community. Portland has nothing on us!”
Pottery is not only a creative outlet for Diane – it also acts as a stress reliever. She explains, “I can easily loose myself in the clay, and forget about any worries that I might have.” Since Diane’s art leans more on the whimsical side and less on the functional side, she feels that her art form is not confining at all. She reflects, “I can be as creative and original as I want to be.”
What started off as a small hobby for retired Diane Wright, has slowly claimed whole rooms in her home. Diane’s husband is building her a studio, and she’s very excited to have everything she needs under one roof. She hopes that in the future she will be able to offer classes and workshops out of her home for the public. She shares, “I would have never had time for this before I retired. I’m really enjoying myself.” The secret to her work is to not take it too seriously. “If someone doesn’t purchase my artwork, it doesn’t affect me too heavily because I take pleasure in the process of making it. I enjoy it so much that it will never be a burden in my life!”
Diane’s work will be on exhibit in downtown Oregon City at the Caufield House on 723 Main Street. Join us Downtown on October 2nd for Arts in Action…Fueled by Coffee Rush and explore the delightful world of pottery with Diane Wright. Keep reading for the complete list of art locations for October 2nd.
Downtown’s very first First Friday event, Arts in Action…Fueled by Coffee Rush, is sponsored by Coffee Rush at 900 Main Street in downtown Oregon City. Arts in Action…Fueled by Coffee Rush is produced as a collaboration between the Three Rivers Artist Guild and the non-profit Main Street Oregon City. The Oregonian newspaper has also signed on as a Downtown Oregon City First Friday series’ media sponsor.
What’s Happening Where from 4-7pm on Friday October 2:
- Live Music and Featured Artwork at Winestock at 820 Main Street.
- Arts in Windows Exhibit at 900 Main Street Suite 104.
- Art in Windows Exhibit at Fournier Group at 814 Main Street.
- Meet the Artist at Busch Furniture at 804 Main Street.
- Featured Artwork at Mi Famiglia at 701 Main Street.
- Meet the Artists at Pilates with Fe at 702 Main Street.
- Art in Windows Exhibit at ECP Copy at 623 Main Street.
- Live Music and Meet the Artist at The Caufield House at 723 Main Street.
- Art in Windows at Madco Draperies and Floor Coverings at 818 Main Street.
- Twenty Five Artists showcasing their talent and creative process at Coffee Rush at 900 Main Street.
Posted in News & Press
Posted by Lloyd Purdy on 25 September
Remember the Block Party that Garage 31 had in conjunction with The Oregon City Ice House on September 12th? It was a great success for Downtown Oregon City! Hundreds of folks came out to look at Garage 31′s airbrushed creations and get some free-eats from the Ice House. Here are some photos and a review from Garage 31′s owner, Jason Prouty:
Click the photos to see them enlarged.
“Our September 12th Open House event exceeded our expectations by far! Everything went very smooth from start to finish. There were at least 80 motorcycles lined up in the street and some hotrods as well. The few hundred people that came all got delicious food provided by the newly renovated Ice House Pub that was packed the entire afternoon. Iwata (the largest airbrush manufacturer) came out with all kinds of free goodies that we raffled off. It was great to see how many people came out to support us and check out all the custom painted bikes. The city was very supportive of our event and they were easy to work with in arranging the closure of our street. We’re happy to see all the great changes downtown and glad we could contribute with a positive event.” – Jason Prouty, owner and artist of Garage31
Posted in Photo Album
Posted by Lloyd Purdy on 25 September
Arts in Action…Fueled by Coffee Rush, Friday October 2nd in Downtown Oregon City.
Meet Mary Wonser, an Oregon City handweaver. Mary’s creativity is channeled through fabric woven on a loom. Her six looms range in size from a tabletop loom that produces a 24” wide fabric to a floor loom that produces a 42” wide fabric.
Mary has worked with some type of fiber since a young woman either embroidery, knitting, or weaving. Mary was first introduced to weaving through a class 26 years ago. She works as a certified coder at Willamette Falls Hospital and dedicates her weekend to her art. More than a hobby, for Mary weaving is her passion.
Weaving includes “working the loom” by dressing the loom with anywhere from 4 to 30 threads per inch vertically (called the warp) along the length of the loom and then weaving the weft across and between those threads. The weft is on a shuttle that Mary throws back and forth. It’s hard to explain, so you’ll have to join us downtown on October 2nd from 4 to 7 p.m. and see this artist in action.
“Color is my main inspiration,” said Mary. “I tend to weave stripes, or geometric designs, or blocks with basic colors and different kinds of threads that give a unique texture.”
Mary’s creativity encourages her to look to texture and color for a clean design. She often looks at the world around her as a series of “verticals and horizontals”. When describing her inspiration Mary says, “When I take a drive and see a shape in a building; that may inspire one of my future designs.”
Mary Wonser uses wool she dyes herself in hot water on a stove, microwave or crock pot. She does her own coloring because she can get the exact color she wants. A wall hanging may take her eight to ten hours to complete. With intricate tapestry she will usually weave a ½ inch an hour if there are a lot of colors to incorporate into the fabric.
“I may work for an hour in the morning if I get up early enough, maybe in the evenings,” said Wonser, “Mostly I work on the weekend. Four to six hours on a good weekend day.”
Mary exhibits her work throughout the year locally. She has shared her craft and creativity at shows as far away as Michigan. In the past, she was Fiber Arts Superintendent at the Deschutes County Fair. Mary is participating in Arts in Action because she feels that, “anytime an artist has an opportunity to show their work and process it gives them a chance to share their knowledge with others.”
Mary Wonser will be featured as part of Downtown Oregon City’s first First Friday event Arts in Action…Fueled by Coffee Rush sponsored by Coffee Rush at 900 Main Street in downtown Oregon City. Arts in Action…Fueled by Coffee Rush is produced as a collaboration between the Three Rivers Artist Guild and the non-profit Main Street Oregon City. The Oregonian newspaper has also signed on as a Downtown Oregon City First Friday series’ media sponsor.
Arts in Action…Fueled by Coffee Rush
A First Friday Event in Downtown Oregon City.
Friday, October 2nd from 4 to 7 pm.
Downtown Oregon City’s first First Friday event Arts in Action…Fueled by Coffee Rush premieres Friday, October 2nd from 4 to 7 pm. This uniquely downtown event combines the commerce and culture of downtown and invites artists to expose themselves…in a very appropriate way to create Arts in Action.
What’s Happening Where from 4 to 7 pm on Friday October 2nd:
- Live Music and Featured Artwork at Winestock at 820 Main Street.
- Arts in Windows Exhibit at 900 Main Street Suite 104.
- Art in Windows Exhibit at Fournier Group at 814 Main Street.
- Meet the Artist at Busch Furniture at 804 Main Street.
- Featured Artwork at Mi Famiglia at 701 Main Street.
- Meet the Artists at Pilates with Fe at 702 Main Street.
- Art in Windows Exhibit at ECP Copy at 623 Main Street.
- Live Music and Meet the Artist at The Caufield House at 723 Main Street.
- Art in Windows at Madco Draperies and Floor Coverings at 818 Main Street.
- Twenty Five Artists showcasing their talent and creative process at Coffee Rush at 900 Main Street.
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Posted in News & Press
Posted by Lloyd Purdy on 23 September
Click the photos to see them enlarged.
The Vintage Shoppe is a brand new antique store at 212 14th Street.
Click here to read more about The Vintage Shoppe.
Posted in Photo Album
Posted by Lloyd Purdy on 22 September
Bradd Aubry will be a featured artists at Arts in Action…Fueled by Coffee Rush, Friday October 2 in Downtown Oregon City. Aubry is a working artist who has made a living exclusively on his creative talent for the past six years. He will showcase his creative process at Arts in Action….Fueled by Coffee Rush in Downtown Oregon City on Friday October 2 from 4 to 7 pm.
Caraciture of Bradd Aubry, Professional Illustrator
“I’ve been drawing cartoon characters since I was three years old,” said Aubry. “I’ve spent the rest of my life trying to make a living at it.”
His humorous illustrations have appeared in numerous magazines, advertisements, newspapers and books. His cartoons have appeared in Saturday Evening Post, Omni and Penthouse, and other publications. Aubry has degrees in both Advertising Art and Graphic Communications. He has worked professionally for 25 years as a caricaturist, editorial illustrator and gag cartoonist.
Specializing in caricature, “situational” illustrating for gifts and awards, and live caricaturing; he is often seen at conventions, trade shows and public events and was a regular fixture at the Portland Saturday Market for five years. His caricatures have included both the public at large, as well as local celebrities and prominent politicians. Some of his past event clients include Nike, Ikea, Comcast, Microsoft and Wells Fargo.
“The live caricature work is exciting. You get to work on getting faster and better,” said Aubry. “With live caricature the pressure is on — like Broadway — it has a live audience component that is very exciting for me, the subject and the crowd.”
Aubry’s working material usually consists of paper and pen, but has evolved over the years to include watercolor and more recently color markers. The work of a caricaturist is a fast paced and interactive artistic process. From sketching to coloring, “the process goes from nothing to something cool in about five minutes,” said Aubry.
Bradd Aubrey will be featured as part of Downtown Oregon City’s first First Friday event Arts in Action…Fueled by Coffee Rush sponsored by Coffee Rush at 900 Main Street in downtown Oregon City. Arts in Action…Fueled by Coffee Rush is produced as a collaboration between the Three Rivers Artist Guild and the non-profit Main Street Oregon City. The Oregonian newspaper has also signed on as a Downtown Oregon City First Friday series’ media sponsor.
Arts in Action…Fueled by Coffee Rush
A First Friday Event in Downtown Oregon City.
Friday, October 2nd from 4 to 7 pm.
Downtown Oregon City’s first First Friday event Arts in Action…Fueled by Coffee Rush premieres Friday, October 2nd from 4 to 7 pm. This uniquely downtown event combines the commerce and culture of downtown and invites artists to expose themselves…in a very appropriate way to create Arts in Action.
What’s Happening Where from 4 to 7 pm on Friday October 2nd:
- Live Music and Featured Artwork at Winestock at 820 Main Street.
- Arts in Windows Exhibit at 900 Main Street Suite 104.
- Art in Windows Exhibit at Fournier Group at 814 Main Street.
- Meet the Artist at Busch Furniture at 804 Main Street.
- Featured Artwork at Mi Famiglia at 701 Main Street.
- Meet the Artists at Pilates with Fe at 702 Main Street.
- Art in Windows Exhibit at ECP Copy at 623 Main Street.
- Live Music and Meet the Artist at The Caufield House at 723 Main Street.
- Art in Windows at Madco Draperies and Floor Coverings at 818 Main Street.
- Twenty Five Artists showcasing their talent and creative process at Coffee Rush at 900 Main Street.
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Posted in News & Press
Posted by Lloyd Purdy on 22 September
Downtown Oregon City would love your help in welcoming our newest addition: The Vintage Shoppe at 212 14th Street. This new boutique has renovated a historic home into a festive antique store decorated with a myriad of vintage furniture and décor. Fun themes such as retro-cowboy and shabby-chic are displayed throughout their colorful rooms. Owned and operated by Danielle Goode and her aunt Sue Walker, the first time business owners opened their store three weeks ago. A grant from Main Street Oregon City helped them fund a beautiful sign that hangs outside their door. Goode says, “I love it! It was a blessing to have that help available to us while starting a new business.” Goode has previously worked in downtown Oregon City, and she thought it would be a great place to open a business. “I enjoy the historic aspect of Oregon City, and I feel as if the freeway entrance makes our downtown a great meeting point for a nice afternoon of shopping and coffee.” She also chose to open her business in Downtown Oregon City because of ability to have everything in walking distance. Goode shares, “I feel that downtown Oregon City has a lot of potential. I hope it will be like the next downtown Sellwood!” Starting October 1st, The Vintage Shoppe will be open every day 10-6pm. Parking is on the street along 14th. Stop by the Vintage Shoppe today!
You can contact The Vintage Shoppe at 503-305-6263.
Click here to view more photos from The Vintage Shoppe.
Posted in Home
Posted by Lloyd Purdy on 17 September
Austin Lucas & Mike Hale perform live at Winestock
Friday, September 18th at 8pm
Downtown Oreg
on City’s locally owned and operated wine bar and wine shop, Winestock at 820 Main Street, will feature singer-songwriters, Austin Lucas and Mike Hale, as part of their recurring Friday night music offering. Music begins at 8pm and there is no cover charge. Stop by Winestock tomorrow to enjoy some good tunes and delicious wine! Click on the photos to preview the music of each artist.
For more details about this event and Austin Lucas,
view the full press release here.
Posted in Home
Posted by Lloyd Purdy on 17 September
Sept 18th, 2009 at Winestock
Austin Lucas at 9:00 PM with Mike Hale at 8:00 PM
Winestock, 820 Main St, Downtown Oregon City, OR
Downtown Oregon City’s locally owned and operated wine bar and wine shop, Winestock at 820 Main Street will feature nationally recognized singer songwriter, Austin Lucas, as part of their recurring Friday night music offering.
“We’re excited to feature an upcoming talent like Austin Lucas at Winestock,” said Sarrah Torres, owner of Winestock. “Friday nights at Winestock are a great time to enjoy fine wine and a good atmosphere.”
Following his successful run on the 2008 Revival Tour alongside Chuck Ragan (Hot Water Music), Ben Nichols (Lucero), and Tim Barry (Avail), Austin Lucas is proud to release Somebody Loves You, his 11-song debut for Suburban Home Records on this tour Austin’s national tour began on July 31st with a 50 day run. Austin will also perform at MusicFestNW at the Crystal Ballroom on September 19th.
“Austin was looking for another local venue to perform at while he was in town and heard good things about Winestock.” said Chris Paules, booking agent for Austin Lucas. “Local venues like Winestock are great places for an artist like Austin to share his talent.”
Rivaling the projection of Neko Case, the hushed cadences of Sam Beam (Iron and Wine), and the heartache of Gillian Welch, Somebody Loves You is Lucas’ richest work to date, placing him in the company of the strongest voices in contemporary Americana. Recorded in December 2008 by his father, Bob Lucas, at the Lucas family home in Ohio, Somebody Loves You finds Lucas backed by his father, Chris Westhoff, and Todd Beene (Lucero), and accompanied by his sister, Chloe Manor. The collective effort of the Lucas family on Somebody Loves You reflects the family’s deep musical heritage.
The new material accelerates Lucas’ growth as a songwriter, continuing to expand upon the storytelling and instrumentation. While his last album, Bristle Ridge, teemed with the energy of an all-night barn burner, much of Somebody Loves You evokes the ambiance of an Appalachian sunset waltz; Todd Beene’s pedal steel softly pulls focus like stars in a new night sky, while Chloe Manor’s background vocals shade the songs in the fading warmth of dusk. Fiddle, banjo and upright bass are woven throughout, but it is Lucas’ guitar and vocals that anchor each song. Beyond his accomplished picking, Lucas’ voice defines his music, reaching from the intimacy of a lover to the fervor of a sinner begging atonement. Stylistically and thematically, the lyrics of Somebody Loves You ring more timeless and universal than those of Lucas’ past work.
Posted in News & Press
Posted by Lloyd Purdy on 16 September
- First Friday Event: Arts in Action… Fueled by Coffee Rush
- Premiers: Friday October 2nd from 4 to 7pm
Mary Wonser, Hand Weaver
Downtown Oregon City has a new series of First Friday events called Arts in Action…Fueled by Coffee Rush! This unique downtown event utilizes empty storefront windows decorated with artwork, artists hosted by downtown businesses, and artists “on the street” exposing themselves… in a very appropriate way, to create Arts in Action.
Arts in Action…Fueled by Coffee Rush showcases the potential for commerce and culture downtown. It leverages creativity and the creative process to encourage people to visit historic downtown Oregon City.
Area residents, artists, and visitors are encouraged to join us for Downtown Oregon City’s very first First Friday event on October 2nd from 4 to 7pm. This event is produced as a collaboration between the Three Rivers Artist Guild and the non-profit Main Street Oregon City. The Oregonian newspaper has also signed on as a Downtown Oregon City First Friday series media sponsor.
For more details about this event,
view the full press release here.
Posted in Home
