DIVA CENTER NEWSLETTER

• DIVA News: Up Front
• Exhibits: December
• Opportunities
• Calendar of Events
• Web Site Visit: The Arts and Culture of Pakistan
• Membership Information
• News Archive: 2006 | 2007

"If there is something to steal, I steal it!." Pablo Picasso

DIVA To Be Awarded Grant. DIVA's Executive Director Mary Unruh has announced that The Oregon Community Foundation will award a $35,000 one-year grant to the Downtown Initiative for the Visual Arts for staff expansion on Tuesday, December 4th at 5pm at DIVA, 110 W. Broadway.
    The grant will support staff development, bringing DIVA’s three part-time staff to full time.  This will allow DIVA to meet the expanding market for the visual arts in downtown Eugene.  DIVA, a multi-use arts facility located on the corner of Broadway and Olive in Eugene, has been serving the arts community for four years with quality exhibits, multi-media and film events, artist services and art classes.  Mayor Kitty Piercy will join DIVA’s board and the OCF to celebrate this significant vote of confidence in the work DIVA is doing to help make downtown Eugene a vibrant and economically viable destination for visual art activities. 
    According to Mary Unruh, DIVA’s Executive Director, "this one-year investment in DIVA will allow us to 'flesh out' our arts activities and grow DIVA to its full potential as a catalyst for a downtown that attracts locals and visitors alike to arts offerings.  We are so excited that OCF is giving us this amazing opportunity."  This is the second time OCF has invested in DIVA’s success.  The first time, in 2004, OCF provided a $12,500 matching grant to hire an Executive Director.  "They’ve seen a huge return on their investment in the wealth of opportunities DIVA has created for artists and art lovers in this area," said Ms. Unruh. 

Suport Oregon Arts. It's time to give! First, donate to an arts/cultural non-profit by December 31, and then donate to the Trust online or by mail to receive your full 2007 tax credit. Visit the Cultural Trust online. Contributions to DIVA help support our efforts to build community through the visual and time-based arts.

Second Saturday Art Sale At DIVA. DIVA's Second Saturday Art Sale comes just in time for the Holidays. Come to DIVA and find that perfect gift of art for family or friend. All work is by DIVA member artists. Those interested in selling work should contact Mary Unruh at or call . DIVA Hours: Noon - 5:00 PM

DIVA Offers Copic Marker Rendering Basics Workshop. Polish up your media skills! Explore the world of Copic markers taught by Marianne Walker. This special workshop on Tuesday, December 11th covers choosing papers, inking, marker color theory, blending, techniques & special effects, as well as using mixed media. Appropriate for illustration, fine art, graphic design, architecture, and comic design. The choice of professionals worldwide, the Copic marker offers outstanding performance in all areas of design and illustration. Two versatile tips produce a range of strokes from fine lines to wide color fills. The workshop meets from 6:30 - 8:30 pm and costs $35.00. All materials are provided. Registration deadline is Tuesday, December 4th.
    Marianne Walker received a BFA in Multimedia Design from the University of Oregon in 2002, with a minor in Journalism. She has illustrated children’s books on child safety and learning to read and write, and as been a graphic designer for Copic Markers for seven years.

Make Your Own Holiday Art Cards Workshop! Come down to DIVA for a cup of hot cider - and then create your own holiday cards, gift tags, or decorations, in the form of a personal work of art. Using the theme of collage in this workshop you will use mixed media techniques, as well as markers and alcohol inks, to make unique works of art for the holidays. Materials will be provided, but feel free to bring your own unique accessories to personalize your creation. The workshop meets December 8th from 12:30 - 2:30 PM. Cost: $15.00 with all proceeds going to DIVA. Register by email , or at DIVA, during gallery hours.

Film Festival Submission Deadline Extended. The submission deadline for the DIVA 2008 OpenLens Festival has been extended to Friday, December 7th. To enter, include submission fee and form (available online).
    The Fourth Annual OpenLens Festival will be held January 11-12-13, 2008 at the DIVA Center 110 W. Broadway in Eugene, Oregon. The festival's mission is to provide an opportunity for SW Oregon filmmakers to showcase their work in a competitive event. Prizes include Best Juried Award, Honorable Mention, and Audience Choice. All films are 15 minutes or less.
    The 2008 festival features guest filmmaker/host Aaron Douglas, workshops, screenings, and this year will include the YouthVisions high school competition winners in a special program recognizing teen filmmakers. More information: 541-

DIVA offers workshop on Improvised Performances with Sound-Image Technology. DIVA is offering, as part of its Annual Festival of Improvised Music and Moving Image (IMMI Fest), a workshop on Improvised Performances with Sound-Image Technology on Saturday, December 15th from 11am - 1pm.
    Visiting Portland artists Matt McCormick and Rob Tyler explore the reasons for, and challenges of, performing live improvised works using audio and video technology. Festival host Daniel Heila and other artists join together in a round-table discussion that examines the creative, aesthetic, and technological aspects involved.
    Registration: $20/ $15 students with ID. Pre-registration with payment required guaranteeing a spot in the workshop. Call to register. Mail-in registration form is available online.

IMMI Fest Brings International Artists to DIVA. The third annual festival of Improvised Music and Moving Image takes place December 14-15 (See calendar below for details). This event delights the aural and visual senses featuring classic silent film, freely improvised music and progressive video, all melded together for maximum spontaneity and simultaneous sensory pleasure.
    The festival showcases west coast musicians and media artists in an intimate listening and viewing environment for optimal audience exposure. The Knotty Ensemble of Vancouver, BC/ Eugene hosts the festival. Various artists and groups visiting Eugene join the ensemble each year.
    Portland video artists Matt McCormick and Rob Tyler participate in this year's festival with a special performance on Friday evening and then offer a Saturday morning workshop on live video mixing and audio improvisation. See IMMI Fest web page for full program and workshop events.

Best of the Video Slam Festival. DIVA is proud to offer the Best of the Video Slam Festival on Saturday, December 8th at 7:00 pm. The Festival features audience favorites from slams held at the Center throughout 2007.    The festival will screen a rich variety of creative independent shorts that include documentary, animation, narrative, experimental, and horror genres.      All of works were originally screened at DIVA in a monthly all-comers independent artist forum and video slam. Audience members at each screening chose the works that will be showcased.     The festival audience will participate in choosing the "Grand Slam" winner for 2007. The event is free and is followed by a reception at the DIVA center 110 W. Broadway. Free admission. The following videos will to be screened: Julian Thieme, "My 4 Extraordinary Years of HS" Henry Weintraub, "Split" Brian Van Peski, "Pura Vida, Pura Tierra" Jesse England, "VFD" Jesse England, "Ultra Wash III" Michael Stringfield, "Happy" Brian Knowles, "Telephone" Nancy Miller, "Untitled documentary" Paul Provost "Magic and Sorcery

New DIVA Volunteer Training Meeting. Are you interested in volunteering at DIVA - gallery hosting, helping with exhibits, manning events, assisting with administrative duties and other projects? Come to December's volunteer meeting to learn about DIVA and find out about volunteer opportunities. Meeting: December 8th at 5:30pm. Meet at DIVA.

Volunteers Needed. DIVA needs volunteers interested in managing volunteers, website development, public relations, facilities upkeep and office support. If you have time and interest in any of these activities, contact Mary Unruh at or .

DECEMBER GALLERY EXHIBITS:

Join you Friends and visit DIVA during the First Friday Art Walk on December 1st from 5:30pm to 8:00pm.

DIVA Exhibits through December 22nd • "Members' Miniatures," features a variety of artistic media. • "Perspectives," an exhibit featuring sculpture by Andreas Salzman and photography by his wife by Jennifer Salzman represents perspectives that the Salzmans have of their shared experiences, family and lives over the course of their 17-year marriage. • "The Silence of Light," a photography exhibit by R. Schofield. Hidden lands that lie beneath the reflective surface of water surround us. We came from these underwater places but can only return for brief glimpses. Yet the beauty of these lost worlds evokes longing, the irresistibility of nature and the nature of humans. These photographs were taken in lakes and rivers in Oregon, using a homemade underwater housing and natural lighting. The models played an integral artistic role in the conception of these images. • "The Students of Bollons and Ross," a Maude Kerns Art Center Showcases the work of artists who have studied or are currently taking classes from longtime art instructors Kate Bollons and Jerry Ross at the Art Center. • "Between the Shadow and the Soul - Mystical Nature" an exhibit of paintings and photographs by Tricia Clark-McDowell will be exhibited through December in the Members' Gallery.

First Annual Open Studios Art Tour. The Downtown Initiative for the Visual Arts is planning a DIVA sponsored Open Studios Art Tour to be held in October 2008.    This two weekend event will assist area artists to sell their work while also providing the public with a unique opportunity to collect art and learn about the creative process in the artist’s own studio. We also hope that this tour will provide support for the continuing operation of the DIVA Center and in the future, become a signature event and major fundraiser for the Center.     All sales of art during the Studio Tour remain with the individual artist. A 35% commission will be taken only on the art sold from the Preview Exhibit to be held the month prior to the Tour at DIVA.     Eligibility Requirements: artists must reside in the Eugene Springfield area and must be members of DIVA.     Consult the DIVA website for more complete information or call DIVA at