In The Spirit of Maude Kerns

Maude Kerns was a woman — born in Portland in 1876, studied at the University of Oregon as well as the San Francisco Art Institute and Columbia University, world traveler, instructor at the UO and artist whose first of many exhibitions was in 1925 — who was ahead of her time.

Kerns also helped found Eugene’s foremost community arts center in the late 1950s, and in 1961 presented the deed to the Eugene Art Center, which would rename the facility the Maude Kerns Art Center.

The center now is celebrating this amazing life well-lived with a month-long exhibit of her work, In the Realm of the Spirit: Work by Maude I Kerns, Jan. 12 through Feb. 9 at Maude Kerns Art Center.

The exhibit covers Kerns’ non-objective work in more than 75 pieces from the center’s collection as well as work owned by private collectors and archived artwork on loan from the Lane County History Museum. Non-objective painting is a type of abstract art. A highlight of the show includes correspondence between Kerns and Rolph Scarlett, a well known non-objective painter from New York. Kerns and Scarlett exhibited at the Museum of Non-Objective Painting in New York City, the forerunner of the Guggenheim Museum.

An opening reception is 5 pm to 7 pm Jan. 12 at the center. In the Realm of the Spirit: Work by Maude I. Kerns is Jan. 12 through Feb. 9 at the Maude Kerns Art Center, 1910 E. 15th Avenue. Admission is free.

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!