Historic Downtown Oregon City

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.

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