Downtown’s next First Friday Art Walk is happening this week with more artists and businesses participating than ever! We invite you to put on your walking shoes and enjoy an evening of art in Downtown Oregon City on December 4th. Pop into dozens of businesses to look at bountiful works of art and chat with the creative folks who design them. Explore the local art scene and visit with your community. Grab a warm beverage as you venture between art locations, discuss over a delicious dinner, or maybe even grab a glass of wine to complete your evening downtown. December 4th’s event will allow you to get your fill of beautiful local artwork before the Art Walk goes on hiatus for January’s First Friday, which falls on New Year’s Day.
We hope to see you in Downtown Oregon City
This Friday, December 4th – 4 to 7pm Artists & Artwork will be at the following locations: Coffee Rush at 900 Main Street Premier Choice Insurance at 900 Main Street #104 Winestock at 820 Main Street Cypress Restaurant at820 Main Street Madco Draperies and Floor Coverings at 818 Main Street Busch Furniture at 804 Main Street The Caufield House at 723 Main Street Pioneer Pub at 720 Main Street Living Room Pub at 206 8th Street Mi Famiglia at 701 Main Street Pilates with Fe at 702 Main Street Decorative Painting Studio at 712 Main Street Ben Bright Photography at 619 Main Street Hand Crafted for You at 616 B Main Street 505 Tavern at 505 Main Street Hopps Upholstery at 916 Main Street Howden Art and Framing at 1512 Washington Street Kings Raven Winery at 1512 Washington Street Forte Floral Artistry at 1502 Washington Street Three Rivers Artist Guild Gallery at 502 7th Street Secondhand Prose at 502 7th Street Oregon City Antique Mall at 502 7th Street
Special thanks to event producers: The Three Rivers Artist Guild, the non-profit Main Street Oregon City, our Art in Action business sponsors Coffee Rush and Premier Choice Insurance Agency at 900 Main Street, as well as our First Friday series media sponsor the Oregonian.
Click here to read a “Meet the Artist” article on Matt Wonser, a local painter and photographer participating in Oregon City Art Walk events.
Did you make it out to the November Winter Farmer’s Market? We’ve posted some photos of the festivities. Don’t fret too much if you were unable to attend; there is still one more winter market on Saturday, December 19th, from 9am-2pm. We had a great turn-out at the November market with lots of delicious produce, pastries, and holiday products to take home. The December market should be even better if we can keep the rain away once more!
Click here to see our winter market photos from November. Click here for a Main Street press release with more market information. Click here for a full list of vendors & products from the Oregon City Farmer’s Market website.
This historical downtown site is the actual place where the first “Producers” agricultural market was set up back in 1924. Farmers’ tables will once more be loaded with fresh local produce as they were 80 years ago on 8th Street. There is plenty of parking, entertainment, and live music to be enjoyed by all!
See you downtown on 8th Street – Saturday, December 19th.
Here are some photos from Main Street Oregon City’s first winter farmer’s market of the season. These were taken at the Thanksgiving market on Saturday, November 21st. There’s no need to worry if you missed this one because there will be one more market before the holidays! The next winter farmer’s market will be held from 9am – 2pm, rain or shine, on Saturday, December 19th. Hope to see you there!
Take a look at the photos below to see all the wonderful produce, pastries, and products! Click on the first picture thumbnail and scroll your mouse to the right edge of the photo-viewer. There are arrows that will allow you to navigate through the entire group of photos.)
Click here to return to information about the next winter market.
Downtown Entrepreneur Joins Non-Profit Downtown Development Organization
The one-year old non-profit, Main Street Oregon City, welcomes Terri Powers, owner of Premier Choice Insurance Agency as a new board member. Ms. Powers’ seat on this 11-member board of directors represents the interest of downtown business owners. The volunteer board of directors is comprised of a cross section of downtown stakeholders including business owners, property owners, residents, major employers, representatives of the arts and local government.
Terri Powers is a life-long resident of Oregon City and a former chairwoman of the Oregon City Planning Commission (1989-1996). She has also served in several other civic leadership positions like the Willamette River Green Spaces Committee and a brief term of service on the Oregon City Metro Enhancement Committee.
“Terri brings a lot of strength to the non-profit Main Street Oregon City,” said Lloyd Purdy Oregon City’s Downtown Manager and Executive Director of MSOC. “Terri is committed to a more vibrant Oregon City and a more successful downtown.”
In 2009, Terri opened Premier Choice Insurance Agency in downtown Oregon City. Premier Choice Insurance Agency works with several different insurance providers to offer a wide selection of insurance products to customers. Ms. Powers has been licensed in the industry since 2001.
“Running an independent insurance agency allows me to work with many different companies,” said Ms. Powers. “As an independent agency my customers have more choices – hence the name Premier Choice Insurance Agency.”
In December, Premier Choice Insurance Agency relocates to 900 Main Street, Suite 104. The company will host an open house on December 4th from 4 to 7 p.m. as part of Downtown Oregon City’s First Friday series.
As a downtown entrepreneur and board member for the non-profit Main Street Oregon City Ms. Powers says she is looking forward to the opportunity to create a profitable, socially responsible business that takes care of clients, creates career opportunities, and contributes to the viability of historic downtown Oregon City.
“We are pleased to welcome Terri to the Board of Directors,” said Don Slack, President of the Board of Directors for the non-profit Main Street Oregon City Board of Directors. “Her background, business interest, and connection to our community make her an ideal board member.”
Mike Wonser and his artwork will be featured during Oregon City’s First Friday Art Walk December 4th from 4 to 7 p.m. at Premier Choice Insurance at 900 Main Street.
Mike Wonser is a painter and photographer by education as well as an arts educator. He is also the powerhouse behind Oregon City’s new First Friday Art Walk series that celebrates the commerce and culture of historic downtown Oregon City.
“Mike Wonser has taken the idea of a First Friday program for Oregon City and made it happen,” said Lloyd Purdy, Oregon City’s Downtown Manager. “His creativity and dedication have energized Oregon City, our historic downtown and the local art scene.”
Wonser helped create First Fridays in Oregon City as a consistent recurring event like the artwalks he experienced in both Bend and Sisters, Oregon. Through the combined effort of the non-profit Main Street Oregon City and the Three Rivers Artist Guild along with support from downtown businesses, First Fridays in Oregon City have exceeded expectations.
Wonser’s creativity will be on display from 4 to 7 p.m. at 900 Main Street, Suite 104 during the December 4th First Friday. 900 Main Street, Suite 104 is the new office of Premier Choice Insurance.
“I love using color and paint to create a visual and emotional experience through the juxtaposition of colors to create new experiences for viewers,” said Mike Wonser. Wonser uses color to describe a subjective relationship with objectivity. His goal is for the viewer to celebrate color by seeing, listening to, and feeling the many sensations that pure color affords.
Wonser received his undergraduate and graduate education at the University of Oregon, finishing in the mid-1960’s. He began his college teaching career at Central Oregon Community College teaching part-time in the art department. After nearly 25 years as Professor of Fine Arts at Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado, Wonser returned to his hometown of Bend, Oregon. Two years ago he retired to Oregon City and began to work with local artists.
“Oregon City’s First Friday Art Walks provide an avenue for local artists to exhibit their work in their own community,” said Wonser. “The events create an awareness of the arts in Oregon City and integrate arts into the process of community building.”
Photo Caption: Mike Wonser, Oregon City Photographer and Painter. Wonser’s work will be featured during the Dec. 4th First Friday Art Walk in Downtown Oregon City from 4 to 7 p.m. at 900 Main Street, Suite 104.
Our December 4th First Friday in Downtown Oregon City
Will feature artwork and artists at the following locations.
Coffee Rush at 900 Main Street.
Premier Choice Insurance at 900 Main Street Suite 104.
Winestock at 820 Main Street.
Cypress Restaurant at 820 Main Street.
Madco Draperies and Floor Coverings at 818 Main Street.
Fournier Group at 814 Main Street.
Busch Furniture at 804 Main Street.
The Caufield House at 723 Main Street.
Living Room Pub at 206 8th Street.
Decorative Painting Studio at 712 Main Street
Mi Famiglia at 701 Main Street.
Pilates with Fe at 702 Main Street.
ECP Copy at 623 Main Street.
Ben Bright Photography at 619 Main Street.
Muno’s Bakery at 616A Main Street.
Hand Crafted for You at 616B Main Street.
Hopps Upholstery at 916 Main Street.
Howden Art and Framing at 1512 Washington Street.
Kings Raven Winery at 1512 Washington Street.
Forte Floral Artistry at 1502 Washington Street.
Elements of Style Salon at 1414 Washington Street.
Three Rivers Artist Guild Gallery at 502 7th Street
Secondhand Prose 502 7th Street
Oregon City Antique Mall 502 7th Street
Special thanks to event producers: The Three Rivers Artist Guild, the non-profit Main Street Oregon City, our Art in Action business sponsors Coffee Rush and Premier Choice Insurance at 900 Main Street, as well as our First Friday series media sponsor the Oregonian.
Downtown Oregon City’s Washington Street art gallery, Howden Art and Framing and King’s Raven Winery, at 1512 Washington Street, is hosting an open house on Friday, November 20th. The gallery currently features 46 local and regional artists, all Oregon, representing a range of media.
The quarterly theme at Howden Art and Framing is “Winter Song.” The artists have interpreted the shows theme and have created pieces with mood and deep, rich colors. The afternoon will provide an opportunity to introduce the community to the various art mediums, as all art forms are represented. Light refreshments will be served and King’s Raven Winery’s wine bar located inside Howden Framing and Art will be open.
“I keep raising the bar for the artists with each show,” said Annie Howden, gallery owner. “Every time the artists exceed my expectations. This show is amazing.” This November 20th open house also features awarding-winning watercolor artist, Peter X. O’Brien. Peter is also an accomplished caricature artist and will be doing on-site caricatures for only $15 per head starting at 2:30 PM.
“This is a great opportunity to meet a fantastic artist,” said Annie. King’s Raven Winery and Howden Art & Framing
November 20, 2009, 10 AM – 6 PM
1512 Washington Street
For more information about the event contact Kim Walton at kim@kingsravenwine.com or Annie Howden at (503) 607-0217.
Foodies can get their fix of locally produced foods in downtown Oregon City this winter because The Oregon City Farmers Market will be holding two winter markets in a downtown location!
Celebrating its place in local history, Downtown’s Winter Market will set up next to Busch Furniture Store on 8th Street, between Main Street and Railroad Street, on the site of the original Oregon City Producers Market, which opened in 1924. “A Winter Market in downtown Oregon City is a natural next step for the Oregon City Farmers Market,” said Jackie Hammond-Williams, Market Manager. “It gives us an opportunity to extend the fresh produce and agricultural product season to area residents.”
The Thanksgiving market will be held on Saturday, November 21st. The Christmas Market will be held Saturday, December 19th. Both markets run from 9 am – 2 pm, rain or shine.
For more details about the Winter Saturday Market,
view the full press release here.
Historic Downtown Oregon City is a marketplace with retailers, restaurateurs, creative entrepreneurs, and a growing number of medical professionals.
Downtown’s Chiropractic Wellness Center at 912 Main Street recently added a partner, Dr. Audra Mehan to the practice. Mehan, a graduate of Southern California University of Health Sciences, has returned to the area to practice medicine in, “ a place with a small town feel with all the benefits of a large city nearby.”
Dr. Mehan focuses on chiropractic medicine including tissue work and chiropractic adjustments with a “whole body” approach to wellness that adds alternative medicine like homeopathy, sound therapy and nutritional supplements to her “hands on” approach.
“I work with my hands, not machines,” said Dr. Mehan. “Working with Dr. Thompson at Chiropractic Wellness Center I get to practice medicine in a very holistic way.”
Dr. Mehan’s comprehensive approach to medicine is influenced by her family’s history in the medical profession as well as medical disciplines influenced by European and Eastern philosophy. Mehan’s father is a practicing naturopath and her mother is a holistic veterinarian. Growing up, dinner conversation always focused on medicine, healthcare and healing. Mehan credits her experiences watching her parents as one reason she, “pulls from diverse fields of medicine” in her practice.
“Dr. Thompson is a great mentor who uses a similar approach with clients seeking holistic solutions to their healthcare,” said Mehan. “A more natural approach to medicine is often the right choice for clients.”
Dr. Mehan is an advocate for alternative healthcare approaches to medicine and she sees holistic healing evolving in a similar manner as chiropractic has done over the last 20 years.
“Dr. Mehan is a great addition to our clinic,” said Dr. Janet Thompson. “We welcome her with open arms and look forward to having her with us for many years to come.”
Chiropractic Wellness Center at 912 Main Street in downtown Oregon City has been run by Dr. Janet Thompson for 18 years. The practice shares a holistic approach to medicine that focuses on mind-body wellness, using a wide variety of treatment approaches including medical intuition, biofeedback and muscle checking in addition to more standard procedures including labs, x-ray and MRI.
Join us in a celebration of commerce and culture this Friday, November 6th for Downtown’s November Art Walk. Twenty downtown businesses are hosting an artist or artwork from 4 to 7pm. Come in out of the cold and visit with artists, enjoy a meal downtown, and get to know your local downtown merchants. We’d like to make a special welcome to the new businesses who have joined our First Friday celebration; especially Howden Art and Framing, King’s Raven Winery, and Forte Floral Artistry all located on Washington Street. Put on your walking shoes and enjoy an evening of art in Downtown Oregon City!
Artists & Artwork will be at the following locations: Coffee Rush at 900 Main Street. Winestock at 820 Main Street. Cypress Restaurant at 820 Main Street.
900 Main Street Suite 104. Madco Draperies and Floor Coverings at 818 Main Street. Fournier Group at 814 Main Street. Busch Furniture at 804 Main Street. The Caufield House at 723 Main Street. Pioneer Pub at 720 Main Street. Living Room Pub at 206 8th Street. Mi Famiglia at 701 Main Street. Pilates with Fe at 702 Main Street. ECP Copy at 623 Main Street. Ben Bright Photography at 619 Main Street. Hand Crafted for You at 616A Main Street. Muno’s Bakery at 616B Main Street. Hopps Upholstery at 916 Main Street. Howden Art and Framing at 1512 Washington Street. Kings Raven Winery at 1512 Washington Street. Forte Floral Artistry at 1502 Washington Street.
Read more about this upcoming First Friday Art Walk in this great Meet the Artist article about Paula Lewishere, or view photos from last month’s First Friday Art Walk here.
This event was made possible by The Three Rivers Artist Guild; the non-profit Main Street Oregon City; our series kick-off sponsor, Coffee Rush; and our First Friday media sponsor, the Oregonian. See you Downtown!
The nonprofit Main Street Oregon City rolled out a marketing and recruitment campaign targeted at artists, entrepreneurs and creative professionals during the downtown redevelopment group’s annual meeting.
The Blue Collar Creative marketing and recruitment campaign’s centerpiece is a 90-second video that introduces viewers to the creative potential of historic downtown Oregon City. The video will ultimately be paired with a dedicated website that highlights the benefits of the authentic historic urban locale of downtown Oregon City.
“The Blue Collar Creative marketing and recruitment campaign highlights the authenticity of downtown Oregon City,” said Lloyd Purdy, Downtown Manager for Oregon City. “Our Blue Collar Creative video is amazing. It really resonates with creative professionals looking for a place to grow their business.”
The Blue Collar Creative campaign video, produced by funnelbox motion picture studios in downtown Oregon City, can be viewed on the website here: http://downtownoregoncity.org/2009/10/blue-collar-creative/. Creative Director Steve Crocker and Producer Colleen Rowley used an innovative production process that includes a dynamic stop motion photography technique as well as 3-D and motion graphics animation to highlight the creative spirit of downtown.
“This video captures the creative spirit, historic significance, and growing optimism of Downtown Oregon City in brilliant fashion. It’s like no other business recruitment video ever produced,” said Robb Crocker, funnelbox CEO. “I am extremely proud of our team, and the entire Blue Collar Creative community.”
The Blue Collar Creative video features downtown employees, entrepreneurs and business owners at work in downtown Oregon City and invites viewers to consider historic downtown Oregon City as the right location to choose when they are ready to grow their business.
“Everyone who has seen the video has been amazed,” said Lloyd Purdy, Downtown Manager. “People keep asking me to play it again and again and again.”
The Blue Collar Creative marketing and recruitment campaign will be a high priority for the non-profit Main Street Oregon City as it enters its second year of operation in historic downtown Oregon City. The campaign is inspired by the growing number of creative entrepreneurs in downtown Oregon City and their desire to see more artists, entrepreneurs and creative professionals downtown.
###
The full video may be downloaded for press/media use from www.funnelbox.com/bluecollar.html . Please contact Colleen Roweley, funnelbox producer at 503.595.5907 ext.104 or 503.575.6069, if you need a different file format.
Bettencourt's Taekwon-Do
Strykers Arcade
Executive Copy and Printing
Green Key Locksmith
River Crossing Professional Center
Mings Automotive Repair
Modele Salon
Nail Spa
Oregon City Awards
Advantage Optical
Accurate Collections
Endres Northwest
AJH Financial
Phil James CPA
Edward Jones - Kaci Hall
Premier Choice Insurance Agency
Laura Edmond's Farmers Insurance
Santi Insurance
Fournier Insurance
Superior Radiator
US Bank
Terri Powers is a life-long resident of Oregon City and a former chairwoman of the Oregon City Planning Commission (1989-1996). She has also served in several other civic leadership positions like the Willamette River Green Spaces Committee and a brief term of service on the Oregon City Metro Enhancement Committee.
