AT THE TOP: CENTER NEWS |
DIVA Board Invites Candidates. DIVA invited potential candidates for eight vacant positions on the Center's Board to a special reception on April 24th. The informal evening included a program overview by Randall Stender, President, Mary Unruh, Executive Director, and Caroline Passerotti, Treasurer. DAVIS' Restaurant provided an excellent array of refreshments. The vacant Board positions will be filled this Spring.
"Writing an Authentic Artist Statement" topic of May Artist Salon. Do you have questions about Artist Statements? Why do I need one? How do I write one? What good will it do for me? Should all artist statements sound like they were written by a highbrow art magazine? We will explore these questions and more in DIVA's monthly series on professional development for artists. DIVA Volunteer Recognized at Annual Awards Luncheon. Gary Ferrington, the May, 2007 United Way and Register Guard Volunteer of the Month, was nominated for Senior Volunteer of the Year at the annual Volunteer Award Luncheon on April 23rd at the Hilton Hotel. Ferrington indicated that he was honored to be nominated and expressed his thanks to DIVA for its recognition of his contributions to the Center. This year's Senior award went to Lupe Phillips, Chaplin, with the City of Eugene Police Department. |
Time-based Artists Exhibited at DIVA. From the street DIVA looks like any other art gallery that dots Eugene's downtown core. Once inside, a visitor learns that DIVA is much more. As a center for the visual arts, DIVA not only exhibits the work of regional artists but also offers art talks, classes, workshops, and something called media arts.
ART Talks At Noon. DIVA's Art Talk at Noon series continue with two sessions scheduled in May. Laura Jennings, a quilter from Eugene whose work is on display in the Currency Exchange exhibit, will give a talk about art quilts on Friday, May 9th. Sculptor Jud Turner will discuss his works, formed from welded steel 3/32" rods and his creative process on May 16th. Turner's work will be on exhibit throughout the month. Noontime ART Talks encourage participants to bring a brown bag lunch and enjoy noon time activities at the Center. Admission is free! (Photo at left: John Spragens gives April slide-lecture about his Jazz in Motion photo exhibit.) 
Volunteers Of The Month. Our May Volunteers of the Month are Brian and Marianne Walker. Marianne, a fine artist and professional designer, teaches art workshops at DIVA and helps print our promotional materials. Brian, a digital artist and news editor, has created film promos for DIVA, served on the Media Arts Committee, taught workshops, and has assisted at special events. "I think we have been most valuable to DIVA in bridging with other local and regional art institutions," declares Brian.
Visiting Artists From Buffalo New York. An evening of short film and video work by artists living in Buffalo, New York was presented at DIVA on Friday, April 18th. The program, "Tuff Stuff from the Buff" was hosted by former Buffalo residents David Gracon, Marc Moscato, and Julie Perini. The evening featured the work of Tony Conrad, Jodi Lafond, Meg Knowles, Kelly Spivey, David Gracon, Terry Cuddy, Marc Moscato, Julie Perini, and many others.DIVA CALENDAR: MAY EVENTS |
Saturday, May 3, 10, 17, and 24 - Screenwriting Workshop Saturday, May 3 - Screenwriting Workshop for Teens Part 2: "The Next Step" Writing a Screenplay Sunday, May 4 - Seminar: Great Film Directors Series: Federico Fellini Friday, May 9 - Art Talk at Noon - The Quilt as Art Friday, May 9 - 34th NW Film and Video Festival Touring Program Friday, May 16 - Art Talk: Sculptor Jud Turner Saturday, May 17 - Johnnie Mazzocco film FOUND OBJECTS Sunday, May 18 - Artist Salon "Writing an Authentic Artist Statement" Tuesday, May 20 - Potter-Belmar Labs workshop: What Is Live Cinema, and How Do We Do It? Saturday, May 24 - Archaeology Film Channel Festival reception Full Calendar Detail On The DIVA Center Web Site. |
EXHIBITS: MAY |
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Bent Frames by University of Oregon Video Artists. DIVA's Media Arts Gallery is host to the work of 20 student filmmakers during the month of May. Bent Frames is a compilation of "cameraless films," a technique that involves altering scraps of old film footage or working with film leader or acetate. The filmmakers create new compositions by cutting and splicing the leader and or scraps of 16 mm film, sometimes painting on or scratching the surface of the film to create their work. Each artist's composition is approximately two minutes long and the combined works, mastered to digital, play in a looping sequence with a total length of 40 minutes. A joint effort of graduate and undergraduate students, "Bent Frames" explores the possibilities of a physical encounter with the film medium, its characteristic aesthetics and its symbolic language.
Currency Exchange International Quilt Exhibit. A collaboration of 90 fiber artists from the United States, Japan, and New Zealand, this exhibit of art quilts has been on a world tour since 2006. The main exhibit organizers, Sue Cutsogeorge of Eugene, Oregon and Izumi Takamori of Tokyo, Japan, see this project as a way to promote international friendship and understanding among quilters of different countries and cultures. The 30 American artists represented in the show are comprised mainly of Willamette Valley artists, including members of the art quilt group "Tactile Expressions," who exhibit throughout the region on a regular basis.
As the Road Turns by Kristi Koons. This exhibit is a chronology of one woman's decade-long journey on her life's path. A visual travelogue of seasons, places, faces, and community stories and events, Koons has captured the essence of her life's journey through Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Denver, Seattle, Oregon, and beyond. A combination of photography and mixed media, the exhibit deals with issues of family and personal transformation. Koons sees her background in photojournalism as an opportunity to take her photography—and her life—to the next stage. "No matter what images may come or how many miles and events and re-inventions of yourself occur, be engaged and ready," she advises. "Keep on clickin' no matter what life brings."
In Dust We Trust by Tom Bodhi Reeves. "Burning Man is an event that no words can describe," declares Reeves, who has been participating in the event since 2001. In lieu of words, Reeves aims to capture the ephemeral nature of the art festival held annually in the Nevada Desert through his photography. This exhibit chronicles a five-years of impromptu art installations on the windblown playa, where the landscape is often dominated by whiteout dust storms. His photographs capture the temporary landmarks of the "city of art" that is fleetingly built by thousands of people from all over the world. "What happens out there out to be experienced by everyone," explains Weeks. "Each moment instills a hope that no matter the setting or conditions, the true human spirit will always thrive." 
Prints and Drawings About People by Steven Weeks. "I aim to represent the various forms of poetry in the world," says Weeks of his artwork. "Poetry is not only expressed through words, but visually through images as well." This ambitious goal is tackled by contrasting subtle ink and brush drawings with bold, colorful screen prints. Each screen print is an exact copy of the corresponding ink drawing, but enhanced with multiple colors and text. These paired art pieces represent the uncomfortable moments that occur in interpersonal relationships, evoking the strange and complicated realities of social dynamics. 
3/32": Wide Variety in a Narrow Medium by Jud Turner. Jud Turner has been welding steel into works of art for more than 14 years. This exhibit of new works focuses on creations that he has made entirely out of 3/32" steel welding rods. The simple material has given rise to a very diverse range of work. The 2-dimensional wall hangings in the exhibit emphasize the linear qualities of the medium, as if they were elegant line drawings made out of steel. In contrast, the fully-formed animals and figures (including a life-sized self-portrait of the artist himself) remind the viewer of tightly-wrapped baskets or swirling tornados in space. The sculptures are accessible on many levels, and are quite a lot of fun to look at. COMMUNITY: NEWS |
News of Area Non-Profit Arts Organizations:The Oregon Plant Fair 2008 Join aconvergence of specialty plant growers and garden artists from all over Oregon at Alton Baker Park, with offerings you'd never expect to find gathered in one place - fabulous new plant varieties, and familiar old favorites, along with distinctive and imaginative garden artworks. Fabulous plants, incredible art, music, food, fun. ONE DAY ONLY - SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2008 9:00 - 2:00 Free admission. Right before Mother's Day, Alton Baker Park - Eugene, OR. Visit Web Site for more information. Master of Fine Arts 2008. The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, the Department of Art, and School of Architecture and Allied Arts present an exhibition of the work of the 2008 MFA graduates in Art. The exhibit runs May 3 – June 15, 2008. FREE Preview Reception: Friday, May 2, 5:30 – 8 p.m. Faster, Higher, Farther: The Spirit of Track & Field Sports. The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art will host an exhibit of photography by David Burnett, Kenneth Jarecke, Dilip Mehta, and Annie Leibovitz that captures the speed, power, endurance of Olympic class athletes past and present. The exhibit, prepared by Contact Press Images, New York, features arguably the most famous images of past Olympic games, trials and relays of these extraordinary athletes including Carl Lewis, Michael Johnson, and Mary Decker Slaney. The exhibit runs June 18 - September 7, 2008. FREE Reception: Wednesday, June 25, 5:30 – 8 p.m. Weight and Float: Contemporary Sculpture at Maude Kerns. Celebrating contemporary sculpture, this exhibit features the work of artists Joey Azul (OR), Cathy Breslaw (CA), David Lindsay (TX), and Michelle Montjoy (CA). The artwork incorporates a wide variety of media and reflects each artist’s unique message. Azul’s mixed media pieces relay social and political connotations, while Lindsay explores how we perceive ourselves within a complexly structured society. Breslaw’s work includes large-scale wall and floor pieces, and Montjoy’s art illuminates weird and funny aspects of what is considered normal. "It's Never Enough" by Joey Azu. Through May 16. Emerald Art Center. The Third Annual Emerald Spring Exhibition - a National Juried show runs April 29-May 31. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday 11am to 4pm. The Center is located at 500 Main Street in Springfield. Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. Works by Renoir, Pissarro, Signac, Martin and Cézanne are on exhibit through June 8 at the Schnitzer 1430 Johnson Lane on the University of Oregon campus. Admission $5. Very Victorian Romance Exhibit. Victorian Romance: hearts and flowers from the Victorian era to brighten a winter’s day and usher in the spring. View romantic postcards, learn about the language of flowers, see pictures of weddings at Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson House since 1893, and discover what may or may not have changed in our attitudes toward romance. Collections, clothing, toys and household items will also be displayed. Exhibit continues through May. Jacobs Gallery. Special exhibit, Latino Visions, curated by Annalee Fuentes through May 17, 2008. Features work by Armando Olveda sculptor, (paper mache alebrijes) - Portland, Blanca Santander, painter - Seattle, Carmen R. Sonnes, painter - Portland, Cecilia Alvarez, painter - Seattle, Cristina Acosta, painter - Bend, Paulina Hermosillo, photographer - Salem, Rodolfo Rios Garza, painter - Seattle, Suzanne Tellez, mixed media and small 3-d - Corvallis, Humberto Gonzalez, painter - Portland, and Analee Fuentes, painter - Coburg. Curated by Analee Fuentes. Track Town USA at Maude Kerns. In conjunction with the Olympic Track & Field Trials, June 27-July 6, the Art Center presents a very special exhibit, “Track Town USA.” This juried exhibit features the theme of track and field sports and will showcase artwork in all media. In combining the athletic and artistic, this exhibit presents an opportunity for viewers to appreciate artful representations of the sports that have made Eugene famous. Annual Student Art Exhibit. This year’s annual student art show and exhibit at the Springfield Museum will feature art work from area high school artists. Awards will be presented to artists during the reception May 9th. |
OPPORTUNITIES: |
Call for artwork. If you are an artist with car themed work, landscapes or food themed work, we have an opportunity for some corporate purchases. Prints are fine, but they need to be framed. Please email images to mary@divanow.org, or drop a CD by DIVA, 110 W. Broadway with your contact information on the case. CD’s will not be returned, we will keep them on file for other opportunities. Include a sheet with titles and prices. DIVA will take a 35% commission on all sales, so price accordingly. All media will be considered. Call for Exhibit Proposals. DIVA invites artists, curators, groups, and organizations to submit exhibit proposals for our six-gallery facility January 2009 through June 2009. We welcome a wide variety of proposals including installation, multi-media, time-based, performance, or other creative uses of our gallery spaces. Individuals and groups living in Oregon or proposals that are significant to Oregon are eligible to apply. A PDF of the application paperwork is available online. Applications will be received at DIVA through 5:00pm on June 7, 2008. Notification letters will be mailed by July 18, 2008. Maude Kerns 2008 Art and the Vineyard. Art and the Vineyard is the Northwest's premier art, wine, and music festival, staged along the banks of the Willamette River in Eugene's Alton Baker Park. This year's 25th annual Art and the Vineyard will take place July 4-6, 2008. The Artists' Marketplace features over 140 artist booths located in the heart of the festival. This year, we strongly encourage artists to make Reservations early! Due to the Olympic Trials, we expect to have an additional 15,000 visitors per day in town during Art and the Vineyard. Download: 2008 Artists' Marketplace Prospectus (PDF) Maude Kerns 2008 Track Town USA: Celebrating Track and Field Sports. The Art Center is currently accepting submissions for an upcoming juried exhibit based on the theme of track and field sports. The exhibit coincides with the 2008 Olympic Track and Field Trails at historic Hayward Field in Eugene. Download: 2008 Track Town USA (PDF) Maude Kerns 2009-2010 Exhibits Prospectus. The Art Center is currently accepting submissions for its 2009-2010 exhibit schedule. Regional, national, and international artists working in 2- and 3-dimensional mediums, as well as installation art, with or without video components, are invited to submit their work for consideration. Solo, group, and/or themed shows will be created based on the content, quality, and number of submissions. Download: 2009-2010 Prospectus. (PDF). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Art Deadlines List. A free monthly e-mail newsletter providing information about juried exhibitions/competitions, call for entries/proposals/papers, jobs, internships, writing & photo contests, scholarships, residencies, design & architecture competitions, auditions, fellowships, casting calls, tryouts, grants, festivals, funding, financial aid, and other opportunities (including some that take place on the web) for artists, art educators and art students of all ages. Edited and published by Richard Gardner. Premium list available for paid subscription.Art Show: Artists' opportunities are posted in order by entry deadline and include calls for artists to exhibit in art shows, exhibitions, festivals & fine art competitions. Regional Arts & Culture council (Portland). Competition entries are entered the first of each month. Excellent resource. |
WEB: EXPLORATIONS |
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DIVA: CONNECTIONS |
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• Phone: 541-344-3482 • Web: divacenter.org • E-mail: info@divanow.org • Executive Director Mary Unruh: mary@divanow.org • Exhibits: Katura Reynolds, diva.exhibits@gmail.com • Volunteer: Katura Reynolds, diva.exhibits@gmail.com • Education: Eric Ostlind, diva.programs@gmail.com • Programs: Eric Ostlind, diva.programs@gmail.com • Facility Rental: Eric Ostlind, diva.programs@gmail.com • Newsletter archive: 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
