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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (March 18, 2021)
2 Thursday, March 18, 2021 GO! magazine — A&E in Northeast Oregon Paintings for avalanche awareness Nicole Freshley’s ‘AVY SAVVY’ print sales help support the Wallowa Avalanche Center By Lisa Britton For EO Media Group ENTERPRISE — Nicole Fresh- ley discovered skiing when she moved to Enterprise fi ve years ago. These days, before she heads out to explore deep snow in the backcoun- try, she checks in with the Wallowa Avalanche Center. “Every time we go into the back- country, we always check,” she said. She’s never experienced an avalanche. And she wants to keep it that way. “The goal is to use your knowl- edge of avalanche safety to avoid it,” she said. To support the work of the WAC, Freshley is selling prints of her paintings and will donate 50% of the profi ts to the center. She’s titled the collection “Avy Savvy” and describes the paintings as “limited edition archival prints inspired by the freedom and danger of backcountry riding.” Freshley, 31, has painted since she was a child. She has no formal training, and began selling her work at the end of 2019 under the name Magic Woodland Studio. For the fundraiser, she has three designs: “Anthony Lakes Powder Storm” (far right), “Somewhere Out There” and “Bluebird, Baby!” (on the cover). Freshley is selling 25 prints of each design. There are three sizes to choose when ordering. To view and purchase prints, visit her website at www.magic- woodlandstudio.com/projects. Although she grew up in the Portland and Long Beach pen- insula areas, Freshley said she’s familiar with living in rural places like Enterprise. “In some ways, it was like coming home,” she said. It’s also where she fell in love with skiing. Nicole Freshley “There’s such a cool and fun skiing culture,” she said. “It really spans all age groups.” She started at the local ski hill Ferguson Ridge, then she began exploring what she calls “mild backcountry.” “If you want to push yourself, getting a backcountry ski setup is the way to go,” she said. But safety is paramount. She’s now taken the AIARE Magic Woodland Studio/Contributed Images “Anthony Lakes Powder Storm” by Nicole Freshley, of Enterprise, is one of three prints in her “Avvy Savvy” collection on sale to benefi t the Wallowa Avalance Center. (American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education) level one course through the WAC. “It’s such a great resource to have these courses available right here where we recreate,” she said. These safety courses and short clinics about avalanche safety are in addition to the center’s mission to provide forecasts of avalanche conditions in Eastern Oregon, as well as observations submitted Providing quality and compassion to all his patients. Brian Sanders, DPM Accepting most insurances Baker City office hours: Mon-Thurs 8am-5am Clinic hours: Tuesday 8am-5pm Thursday 8am-12pm Clinic offices in Ontario (every other monday) John Day (every other monday) La Grande (every Wednesday) 541-524-0122 WEEKEND OUTLOOK About the WAC The nonprofi t Wallowa Ava- lanche Center provides avalanche forecasts and snowpack assess- ments for Northeast Oregon, and provides access to avalanche safety education. To learn more about the the Enterprise center, go to www. wallowaavalanchecenter.org. Be safe, wear masks, stay distanced: we will get through this. Thank you. Mae Dr Sanders specializes in all aspects of the foot and ankle. Anything from foot & ankle pain to diabetic foot care & limb salvage, injuries, surgery, skin or toe nail conditions, sports medicine, he covers it all! 2830 10th St Baker City, Oregon from the public. Sometimes, Freshley noted, plans need to change due to unsafe conditions. “Recognize there will always be another opportunity — today may not be the day to go,” she said. Her “Avy Savvy” paintings cap- ture wintertime in the mountains, whether that’s skiing at Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort or explor- ing fresh powder in the Wallowa Mountains. “It’s so quiet in the winter, and so infrequently visited,” she said. “You feel isolated, like you’re in a secret world. It’s overwhelmingly beautiful.” OPEN for private classes only. Please call 541.519.8802 to schedule. Or, email mbybakercity@gmail.com 1923 Court Ave, Baker City, Oregon (541) 519-8802 FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY High 50 Low 31 High 50 Low 27 High 50 Low 28 A few showers Showers possible Showers possible