Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 16, 1991)
ARTS Maude Kems Art Center has classes, exhibits rhoin b% \mlrr N*mrri The 96-year-old Maude Kerns Art Center is currently displaying exhibits entitled "hour Women Artists" and "Kids for Conservation. " By Sally Murdoch Emerald Contributor The building now known as Maude kerns Art Center can boast three things. First. this year marks its tltith birthday. Secondly, it is Eu gene's only non-profit art cen ter. And, thirdly, the woman whose name it bears was so riv eting in her personality and achievements that she was called "The Dutchess" during her 2(i-year professorship at the University. This learned woman, Maude Irvine kerns, bought the build ing for the Eugene Art Center in 1958 after she had built a name for herself as a devotee to the study of the arts, an educa tor and a philanthropist. As a well-rounded professor, she traveled the world exten sively in her quest to find new forms of art. and was said to have brought a greater under standing of Oriental art and culture to University students in the 1930s. In 1961. four years before her death. Kerns approved the pur chase of the present center at 1910 East ir>th Avenue which took on her name She proceeded to lay down three basic aims for the center "To advocate and promote vis ual arts programs for all ages, to have a wide variety of gal lerv exhibits, and to provide ac live support for local artists Although the1 center does not have the capacity for perma nent collections, it hosts six shows per year, displaying the works of over 200 artists with varying themes Wendy Wintrode. a graduate of tin* University's School of lournalism and Northwest Christian College, has been the director of public relations for about a year Her commitment to the center stems from the center's willingness to offer the community a variety of visual arts, Wintrode has currently been coordinating the “Art and the Vineyard" show for this year She is "amazed by all of the talent that exists in Kugene." and pleased that this event “shows all of the aspects of of fering the community free arts a n d e n t e r t a i n m enl t It a I wouldn't lie possible without thn support of sponsors “Art and the Vineyard" is a July show that runs anuuallv at Alton Baker Park The event, which is in its eighth year, is put on by the center and spon sored by local businesses All proceeds go to benefit the cen ter The exhibit features Oregon wine tasting, children's events, garden exhibits, over 100 hx al artists' shows, food booths and crafts Tile festival runs for three days and usually sees a turnout of over .10.000 partir i pants Also occurring yearly is the December holiday sale. yvhlch provides unique yvorks of local artists for gilt giving " Oregon Made lor Interiors'' is another annual exhibition showcasing traditional as well as modern furniture pieties, many of which are I'niversity students' works Currently, the Maude kerns Art Center features an exhibit entitled "Four Women Art isls,’* along xx itfi a one-wall side show entitled 'kids for Conservation." The exhibits, which run through February 22. is a show featuring three female s< ulptors Nance Emmett, Aimee | Manila and |ana Viles-Simp son. Also featured are works by the late artist Nell Best, who died in June 1090 Best was a Eugene resident who received her bachelor of fine arts degree from the Uni versity and was commissioned as a mural painter by the Feder al government in the 1030s "kids for Conservation." is a show devoted to children's works that portray through art what the children have learned through rei yi ling Clare Feighan, administrative director of the art center, was a retail manager at the Made in Oregon store lecture she was ot tered tlir position four months ago Sh« has been recognized in the community for volunteer work with the Oregon Country I air and The Saturday Market, where she said her training in business merged with tier expe rience in tile arts As director, Feighan oversees seasonal art classes, a ceramic and printing studio on the premises (Called Club Mud and Oregon Printmnkers). the fi nances of the center and inter nal communication "Fugene has a reputation .is an artistic community." she said realizing the impac t the arts c an have on Fugetie resi dents It is easy to live- here w itli not a lot ot nioiicv and for art. tile c itv is open to new icieas." For University students, the art center is "a wonderful place to take art classes, to get hands on experience in the art world through volunteer and intern programs or just to visit once a month." said volunteer coordi nator Bernice )inkersou. Students' works are also ac cepted readily, though space fills early and t|uickly for shows Artists are asked to sub mit portfolios to the center's 15-memlier board during the "Call to Artists" session eac h season Memberships begin at $2!i and include discounts for c lass es and workshops at the c (‘liter, invitations to events, a newslet ter and c lass schedule, a to peri out disc ount at the c enter's gift shop and free admission lo the Portland Art Museum The center is open from 10 a m to r> p in Tuesday through Friday, and t r> p m Saturday .mil Sunday Admission is free i Swimwear ‘91 Spring ar r -‘91 mens and womens suits arriving daily Selections by. - Speedo Tyr Arena The Finals Hind • Ocean Raisins MorTtH)re»»7 Fn S»1 96 30 uw Bro***** UNIVERSITY BRANCH 831 East 13th. Eugene. Oregon 97401 503-683-5577 / 1-800-888-3799