Arts Hound

First Friday ArtWalk opens 2014 with bright colors and natural themes. Hosted by arts writer and photographer Bob Keefer, the walk starts at 5:30 pm at The New Zone Gallery, which is hosting Natural Connections featuring the mixed-media art of David Race and Kathleen Howard Piper. Then to Urban Lumber for Wood Turnings Inspired by Nature, with the exquisite wooden bowls and plates of Tom Borener from Muse Woodcraft. The next stop is EW’s top pick: Do not miss the acrylic and oil paintings of Philomath-based artist Carolee Clark at Out On A Limb. Her canvases mix the spirit of mid-century travel posters (think Pacific Northwest by way of the French Riviera) with the palette of the turn-of-the-19th-century Fauves done in stylized lines all her own. Off the beaten trail, see the Small Beauty exhibit with works by Sarah Sedwick at The Gallery at the Watershed, which is also hosting its annual Itty Bitty Show; all art will be no larger than 6 inches by 6 inches. Head back to Broadway for DIVA in Film at the Downtown Initiative for the Visual Arts, featuring original and printed movie posters including the work of local printmasters Blunt Graffix.

Granting wishes: In December, the Oregon Arts Commission awarded more than $280,000 for eight “World of Work” projects. According to OAC, the World of Work program (funded by House Bill 3232) is “designed to expose underserved students in grades six through 12 to arts-related industries.” Of the eight grants, Eugene received two. Lane Arts Council received $22,000 for its Arts Apprentice Program, which connects students, in grades six to eight, with artists and arts orgs. The OAC awarded the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art $27,325 for its ArtWorks internships, for “students grades nine-12 providing instruction in arts education, working collaboratively with museum educators and curators and assisting with teaching art lessons for younger students.”

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!