Dear Hyla,

I cannot believe we are in the fourth quarter of 2023. It has been a very exciting year and we have three months of more wonderful things for you to enjoy. Visit often and take advantage of the many things we offer.

Enjoy!

Hyla

Executive Director

On the Edge: Living the Anthropocene Northwest artists Ann Chadwick Reid and Natalie Niblack present two-person exhibit that recognizes the impact of climate change on marine and forest environments of the Pacific Northwest. Using traditional media of cut paper, painting and drawings, both artists create work that celebrates the social and environmental complexity of this landscape while questioning its survivability as climate change inevitably and perhaps irrevocably alters the world around us. Ann Chadwick Reid’s work addresses the impact of human activities on whole ecosystems and individual species using the traditional media of hand-cut black paper. Her elegant black and white designs make a striking contrast to Natalie Niblack’s color-intense oil paintings and large-scale drawings of pipeline and oil train explosions, and plastic debris.  Niblack’s work directly questions our dependence on oil and plastics asking the viewer to consider the magnitude of the crisis. Both artists live and work in Skagit Valley, a rural, agricultural community framed by the Cascade Mountains to the East and the Salish Sea to the west. This once pristine landscape faces environmental challenges which inspire the imagery and content of their artwork. A railway for oil and coal crisscrosses the region heading to two major oil and coal refineries threatening pipeline explosions and oil spills. Unregulated development erases forestland while farming contributes toxic chemicals and humans pollute waterways. It is the intent of the artists to draw the viewer into the work by identifying the beauty that is inherent in both the destruction of and revelation of nature. These artists create works that call upon viewers to recognize the far-reaching threats of climate change and participate in preventing the decline of our natural environment.

NOTE:

The artists will be at the museum on First Friday to meet you and answer any questions you might have about their exhibit. In addition, we are offering a panel discussion featuring the artists and Dr. Alan Journey on Saturday afternoon. Alan is a climate change expert and will help you understand what is happening right here in Southern Oregon. Click the flyer below to learn more.

And visit SOCAN (Southern Oregon Climate Action Now) if you want to learn even more! CLICK HERE!

Abigail Merickel and Hyla with the prints she created at the Rogue River Ranch during her residency.

Abigail is a very versatile print artist. She doesn't stick to just one method. She lives half of the year in Oaxaca and many of her prints are inspired by themes she finds there. She displayed everything from solar plate etchings to collagraph prints.

This is a great opportunity to learn how to create a pollinator garden and also to find out the importance of pollinators. It is a free, hands on experience for people of all ages.

The following two "adventures" are family friendly and fun. We are honoring Dia de los Muertos and invite you to participate. Because there are supplies involved - we would like you to register that you are coming. If you click the flyers, you can let us know you want to participate! Both events are free. We hope you see you. Both events are sponsored by the Oregon Folklife Network.

A memory portrait event enables participants to create a portrait of someone special. Maybe a grandma or maybe a goldfish. You could also leave a message letting them know how much you miss them. We are hoping to hang the portraits in the Community Gallery. Karen O'brien will be helping with the portraits.

This is a great opportunity to decorate a mask with sparklies and other fun items. We have great wooden masks for you to embellish!

Click below to purchase tickets to the films

The Josephine County Cultural Coalition held an event at the museum with many cultural organizations in the mix. There were over 50 people who have or will benefit from JCCCs grants.

The group enjoyed conversations and goodies provided by JCCC. It was a great opportunity to learn more and to meet other organizations that provide cultural activities in our area.

The museum and the Rogue Valley Symphony frequently collaborate. Here we see Martin Majkut (the director) talking about the next Masterworks symphony.

Joelle Graves, the executive director, also tells more about the symphony and how you can participate. It is great to be a season ticket subscriber.

We enjoyed our first "annual" variety show at the Performing Arts Center. Here you can see people getting ready to enjoy the show.

Brynn Scarlett was one of the many performers in the show. There was a great variety from Old Time Radio Players to a Native American Dance.

Kelly Moodie was one of the mistresses of Ceremonies! She was "Hippy Barbie!"

Not to be outdone, Dawn Welch, our other Mistress of Ceremonies portrayed French Barbie.

One of the acts was a group that plays dulcimers. They actually practice at the museum every Monday.

The second half of the event featured Alice DiMicele and her friend Andy. They really created a vibe for everyone!

Youth enjoy the museum. Here we see friends checking out what's coming up.

A class in September was Zentangle with Cindy Hernandez. The group wants more!

Judy Elliott and her husband, Jonathon recently sold their home and moved to their boat in Washington. She sent us this picture of their new canvas! Judy used to be an artist in Gallery One.

Alter Farms, one of the gardens in Art in the Garden this year, invited people to come and see "the bloom." We were able to see the lush growth and even got to "squeeze and sniff" the plants.

Our last concert of the year was Alice Wallace and her fiddler accompanist Zander. Wow - what an amazing event. She has an incredible voice range and can even yodel. Stay tuned for our concerts for next year. They truly never disappoint.

Featured Artist for September - Judy Davidson

Judy Davidson is a lifelong, multi-medium artist. She has been an active Grants Pass Community member since moving here in 2008. She has been a GPMA volunteer and displaying her art at Gallery One for over ten years. Known for her hand-drawn Pen and ink Christmas ornaments, always available and accepting custom orders at the gallery, she is featuring a new painting series for First Friday in October. In January 2023, she took Kristen O'Neill's online Painting-A-Day Challenge. Kristen offered simple daily prompts to inspire creativity, and Judy shared some of her favorites. Prompts included Old Leaf/New Leaf, Go Big, Slice of Citrus, Veggie, and Board Game Pieces. Always looking for inspiration and a new project, Judy volunteered to create the design for The Rogue Gateway Rotary Club mural, "Wonderland," which is beginning to take shape on the 3rd Street side of The Glass Forge building.

Judy Davidson will demonstrate her painting technique during First Friday, October 6, from 5 – 8 pm. She looks forward to visiting with everyone and showcasing her work.

A recent study done involving the impact of museums includes the following statements. We thought you would like to know!

HELP US TO PROVIDE YOU WITH

CULTURAL EXPERIENCES

Over the last 44 years, the Museum has showcased art that connects us across time, geography, and cultural differences. We couldn’t fulfill our important mission without the generous support of our members and donors. Today, will you go above and beyond and make a gift to empower our vital work of connecting our community with the power of art?

Hip Hop in a museum? Really? And more......