Open Air Studios

The dog days of this summer have been especially brutal, yes, but a relaxing, socially distant, outdoor alternative is at hand when the Lane Arts Council, in partnership with ArtCity, hosts Open Air Studios, an extension of First Friday Art Week. Inspired by the popular Studio Without Walls exhibit from pre-pandemic days past, Open Air Studios is an opportunity, says Lane Arts’ Jessica Watson, to showcase visual artists in these COVID-19 days. “What kind of event can we have where we can celebrate the artists?” Watson explains, adding that Lane Arts just wants “to highlight anything right now.” In addition to the artists, there will be music from Ella Trash and the Eugene Difficult Music Ensemble. Oregon Health Authority guidelines will be met, Watson emphasizes. That means no more than 100 people, including the artists, will be allowed inside the area at a time, and that number will be closely monitored. Also, masks are required.

Open Air Studios, presented by the Lane Arts Council and ArtCity is 5:30 to 7:30 pm Friday, Aug. 7, at the Park Blocks, East 8th Avenue and Oak Street. Lane Arts also will have a presence at the Tuesday Farmers Market, Aug. 11, at the Park Blocks when plein air painters gather to chronicle a day at the market from 10 am to 3 pm. FREE — Dan Buckwalter

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!