UP FRONT NEWS

JUMP is coming to DIVA! Track down everyone you know in Eugene-Springfield and tell them JUMP, a traveling film festival program, will be at DIVA Sunday night, May 21st! The Juneau Underground Motion Picture (JUMP) Society will screen a collection of short films that have been featured in the biannual film festival that JUMP hosts in Alaska. Pat Race, filmmaker, will speak at DIVA as part of the evening's program.
     The Juneau Underground Motion Picture Society is dedicated to supporting and promoting the work of Alaskan filmmakers by providing screenings, educational opportunities and resources. A sample of Sunday's films include (below): Downtown vs The Valley - Pat Race, Busy as a Beaver - Nate Johnson, Kaktovik Nights - Joel Bennett, and Socks - Aaron Suring and Lou Logan. (click to enlarge images)  DIVA's Carolezoom, who saw the Portland presentation of JUMP, gives it a two thumbs up review!

DIVA Fundraiser Begins.DIVA is doing a Spring Fundraiser this month! We will be contacting you by email, snail mail or phone call. Please give generously so that we can continue to offer the quality and quantity of art experiences you enjoy! Donations can be mailed to DIVA Center, 110 W. Broadway, Eugene, OR 97401 or Payments can be made through PayPal by sending them to from the PayPal website, . Thanks to all of you who make Art Happen in Downtown Eugene.

New Digital Media Courses at OSU. Todd Kesterson, a recent DIVA Second Friday Film Forum presenter and workshop instructor, is teaching two new courses at Oregon State University this Summer. NMC 485 New Media 3-D is an introduction to the world of virtual space. Students will use Maya as a tool for creating 3D environments, investigating light, shadow, texture, form, spatial design and animation. The second course is NMC 484 New Media Animation. This is a new course emphasizing experimentation with advanced 3D modeling and animation tools and techniques. These include 3D digitizing (Microscribe), particle and fur dynamics (Maya 7 Unlimited), “spinal ribbon” input (Measurand) and motion capture data manipulation. Class assignments include small experimental tests that will be compiled into a collection of animations to be shown during final reviews. For more information visit the OSU Summer Session 2006 web site.

Let The Festival Begin! The first annual Eugene Film Festival got off to a successful start on Friday, 12 May with an opening ceremony and reception held at the Tango Club on Broadway. Many of DIVA's volunteers and staff participated in the festival and contributed time and effort to help make it a success.
      Some of those from DIVA who volunteered or attended opening night included from left to right: Anna Hults, Mary Unruh, Carl Diehl, and Eric Ostlind with Susan Emswhiler and Chris Coulson. Mary Kitty Piercy welcomed film makers and attendees to the festival with screenings in five different venues including the Bijou, Public Library, University of Oregon, WOW Hall, and the DIVA Center. Click on image to enlarge.

Multimedia Bach. The annual Bach Festival begins June 30th. One of the many features this summer is a new interpretation of two classic works: "The Sound of Eternity," a multimedia visualization of the Mass in B Minor with film and live performance, and "The Goldberg Variations Reimagined" with dynamic pianist Uri Caine and an eight-piece group. More information about the festival can be found online: Bach Festival June 30 - July 16, 2006. On June 24th, DIVA will host the monthly New Music At DIVA featuring the work of the Eugene Composers Collective. Time: 8:00 PM. See the Media Arts Calendar for more information.

Oregon Art Beat. Oregon Art Beat is an Emmy award winning weekly television series produced by Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) worth watching if you are interested in the visual and performing arts. This past week the program featured Eugene artist Mike Plane and the Eugene Glass School where he is the artist in residence.
     This year a number of Eugene artists have been featured including, Brooks Robertson, a 16-year-old guitar-playing sensation Richard Crandell who has found his greatest reward playing a primitive African instrument called the Mbira, and photographers Herman Krieger and Gary Tepfer (a recent exhibitor at DIVA). The program broadcasts locally at 8:00 pm on Thursdays.

THIS WEEK AT DIVA

GALLERY EXHIBITS

MEDIA ARTS AT DIVA CENTER

Owen Smith

May 20, Wide Open World, Where Are You? (A story in song) Time: 9:00 PM Admission: $2-5.00ss "Lusty Leaf" is a folk collective based out of Eugene coordinated by Owen Smith. Loose guitar plunks, pots and pans, banjo, keys, and rolling marimba arrangements set the score for wondrous vocal incantations in the vein of Califone, Vashti Bunyan, and Mt. Eerie. The idea is this: wield a web of songs and with these songs tell a story. The result: “Wide open world, where are you?” As narrative tour guides, the group winds its tale through a series of allegorical re-visions of place. “Wide open world, where are you?” is an attempt to engage with the profound earthly marvels which surround us all. This event is all ages; intended for smiles, laughter and open ears.

May 21, JUMP Society Film Festival 2006 Time: 8:00 PM Admission: $5.00 The Juneau Underground Motion Picture Society Film Festival comes to Eugene hosted by Pat Race. This is a fun-filled evening of creative short films produced by a growing community of young film artists in the state of Alaska.       The collection of films has been carefully hand plucked from JUMP's past eight shows just for this occasion and features the work of Aaron Suring, Alex Nelson, Arlo Midgett, Edra Morledge, Greg Chaney, Jason Alexander, Joe Sears, Joel Bennett, Kevin Fremlin, Lou Logan, Pat Race, Paul Disdier, Roblin Davis, Sarah Elliott and many other Juneau artists. Visit JUMP Site: Juneau Underground Motion Picture Society.

WEB SITE ART EXPLORATIONS

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Matters of Art. A number of artists’ organizations and related groups have made vigorous forays into the online world. Some have chosen to create specific works for the web, and some have used the web to disseminate information about various artistic movements, or in some cases, just to offer information about upcoming events and shows. This particular site makes the claim that it is the first art e-zine based India, and it is certainly off to a nice start. Launched in January 2006, the homepage includes a number of news stories on Indian art, along with offering both an artist profile and a monthly in-depth interview with an Indian artist. The “Features” area is a real treat, as it offers pieces on the exhibition of Indian contemporary art in Paris, the use of nudity in Indian performance art, and an analysis of paintings and sculptures created by Chintan Upadhyay. If that is not enough to whet the appetite of those visiting the site, there are also a number of exhibition and book reviews offered here for their consideration. Source: Scout Report. Visit Web Site.

Webby Awards to be saluted June 12th. The winners of the 10th Annual Webby Awards will be honored alongside an remarkable slate of Special Achievement honorees at the June 12th gala in New York City, the International Academy of the Digital Arts and Sciences has announced. Webby Awards winners were revealed in 69 business, consumer and culture categories - from favorites like Community, Fashion, Film and Politics to new categories making their debut this year such as Podcasts, Best Visual Design, Business Blog and Best Use of Video or Moving Image. The 10th Annual Webby Awards received a record 5,500 entries from over 40 countries around the world. Read More.

DIVA AND COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES

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Call for Jewelry Artists. Jewelry will be featured in the silent auction. This years Food for Lane County’s Auction/Fundraising Dinner in September will feature jewelry in the silent auction. Deadline for submissions: June 30, 2006. An option in lieu of full donated jewelry is a split 40% to FOOD for Lane County, 60% to the artist. Of course your donation of showcase jewelry would be tremendously appreciated as well. Your jewelry will be featured at our invitation-only fundraising dinner/live auction in September. This is the largest fund raising event in Eugene and any and all donations of wearable art are greatly appreciated. Your jewelry submissions may be taken either to FOOD for Lane County, 770 Bailey Hill Rd., Eugene. Or please contact Susan Klein at 513.5314 for a pickup of your piece or pieces. Please include your name and suggested prices for your jewelry. Questions? Call Terry Kirby at , email: for details. Or e-mail You can also Download Registration Form from this newsletter

Call for Artists. Art will be featured in the silent auction at Food for Lane County’s Auction/Fundraising Dinner in September. Deadline for submissions: June 30, 2006. An option in lieu of full donated Art is a split 40% to FOOD for Lane County, 60% to the artist. Of course your donation of showcase art would be tremendously appreciated as well. Your art will be featured at our invitation-only fundraising dinner/live auction in September. This is the largest fund raising event in Eugene and any and all donations of any media of art are greatly appreciated. Your art submissions may be taken either to FOOD for Lane County, 770 Bailey Hill Rd., Eugene. Or please contact Susan Klein at 513.5314 for a pickup of your piece or pieces. Please include your name and suggested prices for your art piece (s). Questions? Call Terry Kirby at , email: for details. Or e-mail . You can also Download Registration Form from this newsletter.

Call to Artists. Oregon Crafted™ is a program of a non-profit organization promoting economic development through cultural tourism.  We are currently looking for new artists to be included in the second edition of the Oregon Crafted Guidebook™, a unique marketing tool providing information and photos about artists and galleries with maps to their studios.  It is designed to bring the customer (visitor) to the artists’ studios to meet them, experience the creative environment, and to learn about the artistic process.  Galleries and other points of interest are featured to broaden the experience and to help the customer to see art in other settings.  Member studios are open the first weekend of each month and by appointment.  The Guidebook currently includes artists in Benton, Lane, Linn, and Lincoln counties.  Expanding the project to other regions of the state is in the beginning stages and will be announced as funding and staffing is acquired.  Please contact Oregon Crafted @ 220 E. 11th Ave., Suite 5 , Eugene , OR , 97401 , #, or , to request a comprehensive informational packet.  The application deadline is July 1st, 2006. Oregon Crafted™, a project of the Oregon Council for Business Education, is anon-profit economic development project aimed at increasing the stability and prosperity of Oregon’s artists and handcrafters, particularly those in rural areas, through education and related resources.

Drop-In Figure Drawing At DIVA. There are weekly drop-in figure drawing sessions at the DIVA Center. Working from models, these sessions help the individual improve drawing techniques. Instructor John Holdway will be on hand to assist and coach. Warm up exercises will include gesture drawing. The sessions meet on Wednesdays from 6-9 PM. The cost is $10.00 per session. Next session, May 17.

Drop-In Art Skill Shop At DIVA. The Free, drop-in art skill shop for downtown street youth now meets on Tuesday from 4-7:00 PM. DIVA and the Lane Arts Council is pleased to co-sponsor these free activities for street youth in downtown Eugene. Projects include bookmaking, block printing, zinemaking, collage, and more. This skill shop is offered as a collaborative project of DIVA, the Downtown Initiative for the Visual Arts, Lane Arts Council, and Looking Glass Youth and Family Services, with support from Lane County Department of Health and Human Services, Eugene Rotary Club and the City of Eugene. The project partners intend for these skill shops to offer alternative activities and social opportunities for youth.

Women’s Vision Film Grants Available. Film Action Oregon (formerly the Oregon Film & Video Foundation), in collaboration with The Faerie Godmother Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation, announces the creation of The Women’s Vision Film Grants, a new program to support female filmmakers in Oregon and SW Washington.  This year Film Action will award a total of $10,000 and the deadline for applications is June 15, 2006.
      The Women’s Vision Film Grants will support female filmmakers who tell engaging stories that increase social awareness and tolerance, both within and beyond our immediate communities.  Eligible projects must be directed by a woman and must include at least two women in key roles – producer, writer, cinematographer or editor.  The grant funds will be awarded either to a single documentary or narrative work or distributed amongst multiple applicants. Ellen Bergstone Beer, Executive Director Film Action Oregon: or

Guide Available. A new Gallery Guide was introduced at this months Friday’s ArtWalk. It contains information about the current exhibits and artists, a newsletter and a membership form. The guide was printed it in-house on the copier donated by Otto Poticha.

MFA Work 2006 at Schnitzer. The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Department of Art and School of Architecture and Allied Arts at the University of Oregon in Eugene present an exhibition of the work of twelve MFA graduates in Art. The exhibit runs May 6 - June 4, 2006. Full details and museum hours are on line at the Terminal 12 MFA Exhibit

Explosion! in June at BIJOU. "Explosion!" features student works from the University of Oregon School of Digital Arts. Projects range from Animation, Video Art, and Experimental Video. In addition there will be year long Bachelor of Fine Arts projects. The event will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 3rd and 4th 2006 at the Bijou Cinema 475 13th street in Eugene, Oregon. From 1-3 both days. Seating is free and begins at 12:30 P.M. For more info contact the art department at .

DIVA Memberships. DIVA has many types of memberships. Costing only $60 a year a DIVA Artist Member entitles one to a 10% discount at Oregon Art Supply, (15% discount for art class supplies), a 10% discount on DIVA classes, invitations to an annual members meeting and other events, free classified postings on the DIVA website, and access to great art opportunities.  If one would like their own virtual studio, the annual fee is an additional $50 per year.
    Other memberships are available including Student Membership at just $30.00 per year; Family Membership at $120 a year, and Business/Organization, Guild and Gallery Memberships are also available. See DIVA Membership Page for more information.

Volunteering. The Center is always looking for those who want to become involved as volunteer staff. Gallery set-up and installation, front desk staffing, and assisting with media art events are just some of the possibilities for those who want to participate. Call or write  and volunteer today! College Internships are also possible options for participating at the DIVA Center.