Arts Hound

There’s no question that artist and filmmaking couple Zackary Drucker and Rhys Ernst live and breathe their art, describing themselves as “extreme collaborators.” Their relationship will be on view in Relationship, a voyeuristic photo series opening April 20 at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. The collection of 26 photographs, which originally were not intended for public viewing, documents five years of their lives together (2008-2013), as Drucker transitioned from male to female and Ernst transitioned from female to male. The results are sweet, unguarded and meditative.

The exhibit, part of the JSMA’s Queer Production Series, will also feature “She Gone Rogue,” a dreamy gender-busting semi-autobiographical film featuring Drucker and Ernst alongside “legendary transgender performers Holly Woodlawn, Vaginal Davis and Flawless Sabrina.” Drucker will be in Eugene for two free events: She will introduce both Andy Warhol and Paul Morrisey’s film Women in Revolt screening 7 pm Tuesday, May 3, at The Wayward Lamb (150 W. Broadway) and her own project, “The Video Art of Zackary Drucker,” 7 pm Wednesday, May 4, at the JSMA. While at the Schnitz, you may want to pop upstairs to see newly (temporarily) displayed works by Francis Bacon, Damien Hirst, Mark Rothko and Peter Paul Rubens.

New Zone Gallery announced an open call for art for the show What Mental Wellness Means to Me — deadline is April 20. Opening reception is May 6 for First Friday ArtWalk and art will be displayed through May, which is Lane County’s “Mind Your Mind” month. For more info, visit mindyourmindproject.org. The gallery is also hosting its annual “YART Sale” fundraiser 10 am to 6 pm, April 22-23, and noon to 4 pm, April 24. Donations should be dropped off at 164 W. Broadway April 21-22.

The Springfield-based contemporary art venue Ditch Projects (303 S. 5th Ave., #165, Springfield) has two shows up through April 30: Vibes Don’t Quit by artists Lee Asahina and Mary Morgan, and Thank God I Am Not God by Keith Allyn Spencer. The shows include paintings and conceptual work. Gallery hours are noon to 4 pm Saturdays.

Retired National Geographic editor Dennis Dimick is hosting the free talk “Demystifying: The Wonders of Earth Photography and Images” 2 to 3:30 pm Thursday, April 21, at 115 Lawrence Hall on the UO campus. Dimick edited the “Pulse of the Planet” feature, which examined how images from space capture our world, as part of Nat Geo’s November 2015 issue focusing on climate change.

According to the UO event website, Dimick, who is the UO School of Journalism and Communication’s 2016 Journalist in Residence, will “take you on a dramatic high-level visual tour of the earth using pictures, animations and movies he assembled from a variety of sources.”

Community organization ArtCity Eugene hosts its inaugural “Drink & Draw” event 6 to 9 pm Monday, April 18, at Sam Bond’s Brewing Co. (540 E. 8th Ave.); $10 donation with proceeds going to “ArtCity’s mission to foster a dynamic art community and increase visibility of our local artists.” The Facebook page says the event is “figure drawing with a twist — each event will feature an entertaining host, live models, live music and a full no-host bar.”

Don’t miss: The masterful figurative and still-life oil paintings of local artists Farley Craig, Sarah Sedwick and Gabriella Soraci continue to be on display for the OBJECT/FORM exhibit at Maude Kerns Art Center through May 6.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!