It was truly amazing to see how the land has changed in the Columbia River Gorge since the 1800’s. I would highly recommend checking out this exhibit for a dose of Oregon history. There is even a portion of the exhibit that shows how old photographs were made- it is crazy to see how many steps it took for that process. I’m not sure I would have the patience these days!

The Asian art exhibit showed everything from kimonos to dinnerware to painted pieces. Many of the art pieces told a specific story relating to Asian traditions. It was fascinating to discover more about this culture through art, and to compare their art to the creative pieces we see in the northwest.

The Portland Art Museum is very inspiring, especially if you are looking for a creative idea. The bright colors and quirky sculptures made me want to try out my own art! Be sure to visit if you can- it will brighten up a rainy winter day!

Speaking of creative ideas, thank you for reading the Travel Oregon blog. It is Oregon enthusiasts like you that make this job great. Today is my last day as editor of the Travel Oregon blog, but I encourage you to keep reading these great stories and submitting your comments and ideas. Keep on traveling the great state of Oregon!

Signing off…

~Ashley

Kids painting a car

As summer wound down to its close, the artists were still out in force for the increasingly popular Art Walks throughout Portland. Whether monthly or yearly events, there’s plenty to see in late summer and into autumn. Whether its painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, photography, or even a band or two, the art scene is Portland has more than enough to keep anyone gazing.

August came to an end with Last Thursday on Alberta Street in Northeast Portland. What started out as a number of artists lined up along the sidewalks and interested people squeezing through the sidewalks, popping in and out of the little shops and galleries, has now evolved into a huge venture where part of the street has been closed to traffic. The music of folk and funk bands wafted off the corners by the doughnut shops and side streets, and the famous Clown House—as always—had some crazy performances going on.

Metalworking

Labor Day Weekend offers Art in the Pearl on the North Park Blocks in what is arguably the center of Portland’s gallery scene. My wife and I bought a ceramic French butter dish and four matted photographs of children from around the world. Though a bit of rain fell, the day eventually cleared. We even got a demonstration of a working foundry.

Next came First Thursday, the vibrant and busy art walk in the Pearl District. Some of Oregon’s best-known galleries participate, showing many of Oregon’s best-known artists. Near Chinatown, the Everett Street Lofts lends space for up-and-coming young artists to show in intimate studio spaces with DJ’s and occasional free beer. As with Alberta, there are street performers galore—this night, a drum set of plastic tubs and glass bottles pounded into the humid night.

If you missed it this month, no worries: Alberta is having one more Last Thursday in September, and the Pearl’s First Thursday goes all year long.

For more information on events taking place in the Pearl District, please visit our Portland Metro section.

Click here to read the full Oregonian article. Keep on making dreams come true in Oregon!

I have always been intrigued by the idea behind PICA’s Time-Based Art Festival, and was completely ecstatic when I found out I’d have the opportunity to check it out this year. I left my house in Salem at around 7 pm on Sunday night, and traveled up to Portland State University. Note: If you have never visited Portland State, keep in mind that the campus is set up differently than other state colleges (the campus buildings are spread out between local shops and restaurants). Also be sure to find out the name of the hall you are planning to visit before you arrive. I found this out the hard way, by getting lost and running six blocks in high heels to make it in time for the show. By the time I found Lincoln Hall, I’d had quite a nice tour of the PSU campus. Luckily, I made it in the nick of time.

I attended a modern dance performance choreographed by Zoe Scofield and Juniper Shuey. The Zoe Scofield, Juniper Shuey and Morgan Henderson company is based in Seattle, but travels throughout the Pacific Northwest. This piece, entitled “The Devil You Know is Better Than the Devil You Don’t” abstractly explored such concepts as adolescent group dynamics; how and why people fall into or push each other into the roles of leader, follower and outcast. This show was different than others I’d seen, as they also incorporated video. Images projected above and around the dancers, creating a very different dynamic. The dancers were all dressed in brightly-colored, flowy costumes, and the images projected were very dark and somewhat hazy.

For those ballet lovers out there, a great deal of this piece incorporated ballet movements and technique, which made each of the dancer’s movements appear effortless. There were also quite a few tricks involved, including “partnering”, where two dancers hold one another’s body weight to create different shapes and lifts. The music throughout the show was relatively calm and quiet until the finale, where it transformed into the steady beat of a drum. I love fast-paced dance styles, so I thoroughly enjoyed hearing the momentum of the music pick up along with the movements in the dance. As far as interpreting the story behind this piece, it seemed as though it may have had something to do with the fight between good and evil (I came to this conclusion after seeing an emphasis on light and dark colors, and a combination of tense and relaxed movements.)

Note: While the performing arts are a great activity for all ages, a small portion of this particular show may not be appropriate for children. I would recommend bringing teens, but leaving the little ones at home.

After the show ended, I met up with my friend Stefanie for dessert. We wandered around the streets of Portland for a while until we stumbled across Southpark Seafood Grill and Wine Bar, which just so happens to be an Oregon Bounty participant! Their desserts are amazing- I would highly recommend visiting there, even if you can only stay for dessert and a cup of coffee or wine. I had a heavenly chocolate-filled tart, topped with carmelized bananas and cream. Stefanie had a warm chocolate-filled crostata with lemon gelato, which was equally as heavenly. I am definitely going to be back!

All in all, it was a fabulous evening out on the town in Portland. I hope to have an art and dessert-filled evening again very soon!

For more information on future performances by Zoe Scofield and Juniper Shuey, please visit their myspace page. Or, for information on the arts in Portland, please visit our Upcoming Events section.

The team at Travel Oregon is very excited to announce that the annual da Vinci Days festival will take place in Corvallis this weekend, July 20-22. From unique art exhibits such as Pete Beeman’s dual pendulum and breathing post installations, film festival, sidewalk chalk art and performers such as Pink Martini and Henan Performing Arts Ensemble, you can truly let your creativity run wild.

What’s daVinci Days?

It’s an outrageously creative 3 day festival in Corvallis, Oregon that celebrates all things kinetic. Drawing more than 20,000 attendees, it’s the country’s longest running festival of its kind. The magic of the weekend is that everyone gets to participate in the exploration of art, science, and technology. From fanciful and functional human-powered kinetic sculptures to whimsical community art installations to Grammy Award winning music to cutting edge research presentations from Oregon State University. It’s a festival for the senses that you need to experience.

With help from more than 150 community partners and 1,000 volunteers, da Vinci Days showcases innovative artists, engineers, teachers, community organizations, and individuals. The 19th annual festival celebrates all things kinetic with a theme of Motion & Commotion on July 20-22, 2007.

For more ticket and general information visit www.davinci-days.org. Festival hours are Friday, 5pm-11pm, featuring Pink Martini on the main stage at 8:30pm, Saturday, 9am-11pm, Sunday, 10am-5pm.

For more information on what’s happening in the Willamette Valley, please visit our Upcoming Events section.

Below: Jenny Newtson, Oregon Country Fair Media Coordinator, explains the significance of the fair’s largest art piece:

Because of the creative energy the Oregon Country Fair embodies, new artistic ideas and expressions can be found each year, at many of the vendor booths. From music to great food to a gorgeous mural, the fair has something for everyone.

A view of the Oregon Country Fair booths:

Not to mention, the fair works to incorporate as many environmentally friendly aspects as possible. Almost all of the booths are made of wood, excluding the brightly colored “Rabbit’s Hole” tent.

Take a look at how this elaborate tent is set up for the fair:

The Oregon Country Fair is also involved in the “Green Ticket Project”, which strives to reduce the fair’s carbon production. This project focuses on renewable energy, waste reduction and public transportation/biofuels. All visitors to the fair are encouraged to donate $1 toward these efforts, in hopes that the fair will someday become climate neutral.

Below: Jenny Newtson mentions some of the fair’s recycling efforts:

The fair is open to children and adults of all ages. If you are traveling with your family, be sure to check out the fair’s puppet shows, marching band, or even try your hand at juggling in the Chela Mela Meadow. Or, participate in yoga classes, view Strawberry Lane’s socio-archaeological timeline, or simply sit back and enjoy the sights.

Tickets are $20 on Friday, July 13th and Sunday, July 15th, and $25 on Saturday, July 14th. You may purchase tickets at 1-800-992-8499 or at www.ticketswest.com

Entrance to the Oregon Country Fair:

For more information on the Oregon Country Fair, please visit www.oregoncountryfair.org.

For more information on summer festivals in the Willamette Valley, please visit our Upcoming Events section.

So, how about with an arts getaway to Bend?! One of you will win a fabulous vacation to this booming Central Oregon town to attend the BendFilm Festival in October. And what’s more, we’ve got a savory white truffle risotto recipe from Chef Jeff Park of The Campbell House in Eugene.

See you in Oregon, where the sun is shining and we’ve got spring in our step.
~ Emily, Ashley, & Mo

The parking fairy saved me a space within a block of the museum – nice! The tour began with a collection of old photographs taken in Egypt in the late 1800’s, which demonstrated how much the region has changed in modern times.

As I entered the main doors of the museum, I was overshadowed by the immense sandstone Head of Thutmose I, (18th Dynasty). I wound my way through the exhibit, and as I progressed I was amazed by the immensity and artistry of the exhibit, and simply the fact that these pieces are so very old and still in such beautiful condition. I looked at a little child’s woven chair, and realized that while great changes have taken place, in some ways we were not so different. A few pieces were a little unsettling, even stomach churning, and I don’t really want my internal organs immortalized in 4 distinctive jars. I would, however, entertain the idea of being covered in a gold and jeweled drape for eternity!

Because of the computer era, much of this information and artistry is available to look at online, but there is no substitute for drinking it in with your own eyes. I found myself walking softly, and whispering, and for me there was a keen awareness of how small our place in the universe is. I wonder how the world will see our present culture thousands of years from now? Go to the Portland Art Museum November 5, 2006-March 4, 2007, and stand in the re-constructed tomb, or in front of the mummy case, close your eyes and imagine yourself in a world long past. www.portlandartmuseum.org 503-226-2811 for more information.

Lisa Richardson, Travel Oregon