Giving Life to Portending Death

This is not about the loquacious passerine in Edgar Allan Poe’s famous poem, “The Raven.” Eugene photographer and artist Sandy Brown Jensen is quick to point out that her vision of the intelligent, big and sooty birds align with the creature’s predatory nature, “the raven of evil and portending death,” she says. Still, Jensen’s photography exhibit — Ravenscapes: Oregon Dreams in Gold now at The O’Brien Photo Gallery — gives the raven an ethereal glow of 24 karat gold as the watchful guardians of Oregon’s wild places, coastal sunsets to forest depths, in roughly 20 pieces. “It’s really a good core representation of my work,” says Jensen, a veteran artist who also hosts Viz City on KLCC. Beyond the technical work of the pieces, the raven has been a family presence, Jensen says, and, perhaps, her work on this exhibit is in some keeping with Poe’s enduring poem. She notes that as her sister was dying late in 2023, she turned to Jensen to say, “Whenever you see a raven, I will be near.” Jensen pauses at the thought. “It has been an ongoing thing with me and my siblings.”

Sandy Brown Jensen’s gold leaf photography exhibition Ravenscapes: Oregon Dreams in Gold is Nov. 2 through Jan. 2 at The O’Brien Photo Gallery, 2833 Willamette Street, suite B. An opening reception for the exhibition is 1 pm to 4 pm Saturday, Nov. 2. 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!