Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 6, 2017)
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2017 THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 5 Local Crossroads honors 2017 artists Submitted by Crossroads Crossroads Carnegie Art Center Board of Directors is proud to introduce its three Honored Artists for 2017. Each year Crossroads awards the title of Hon- ored Artists to artists who through their contributions to Crossroads and to the arts communities of Baker County and Eastern Or- egon have made a lasting impact on the arts and arts ecology of our region and state. The awards will be presented at the Crossroads Gala Dinner and Auction “An Evening on the Ori- ent Express” at the Baker Event Center on October 21, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. This year the Board choose to honor two remarkable visual artists and one long-standing Crossroads instructor with this special honor. G. Ann Eriksmoen of Baker City G. Ann Eriksmoen was born in Boston and lived all over the U.S. as a child in a military family. Her formative years were in the San Francisco Bay area. She began painting after she moved to Canada where she was inspired by and studied with Manuel Ruiz, an inspiring instruc- tor of technique and color. She has attended work- shops by noted painters Zoltan Szabo, Graham Scholes, Anthony Law, Jack Reid, Tom Lynch and Ed Whitney. She at- tended John Abbot College and Sheridan College in Canada. Eriksmoen spent much of her painting ca- reer in Montreal, where she taught oil and watercolor classes, until she retired to Baker City. Locally her watercolor workshops have benefited many aspiring artists. Eriksmoen’s watercolor paintings often feature landscapes, old barns, still life’s, and floral’s. Her works are displayed in England, France, Germany, Holland, Norway, and Can- ada. Her other interests include fishing, reading, and plein air painting. She lives in Baker City with her husband Eric. “Ann was part of the Crossroads Gallery Com- mittee for so many years, no one can remember how long. She retired from the Gallery Committee in about 2010. Our gallery committee is our most steadfast group of volun- teers as they jury work into the sales gallery, help plan all special shows and hang or set the sales gallery each month. Ann has been a fantastic teacher of water- color, pastel and drawing techniques for Crossroads and whose work has inspired so many painters and is highly collectible. Ann continues to win awards at our Open Shows and is one of the biggest cheerleaders of Crossroads we have,” writes Ginger Savage, Executive Director of Crossroads. Her Honored Artists Watercolor Painting was sponsored by Dr. Eric and Photo courtesy of Crossroads. This painting by G. Ann Eriksmoen is on display at Crossroads. Kristi Sandefur which will be auctioned off at Gala to support Crossroads mis- sion. Nanci Sheppard, cur- rently of Tuscon Arizona Sheppard is a former Baker City resident has retired in Arizona but that has not lessened her impact on Crossroads and the arts. Nan shared that her new life in Arizona has changed her art. They use more vibrant colors or somber desert tans. She is trying gourd art for a first time as well as fabric painting. She has ventured in the past two years into ceramics with tiles, magnets wall hang- ings. Pastels are still her favorite for two dimen- sional art. She is a self-taught artist. Taking art in school and at- tended Pasadena City Col- lege experimenting in zinc plate etching. For a period of her life her art career was put on hold with marriage, divorce, being a single parent and work. Retirement allowed her to get back to her represen- tational art. Grass Growers and Ace Nursery is proud to sponsor Nanci Shep- pard’s Honored Artists pastel painting which will be auctioned off for to sup- port Crossroads mission. “Nanci was actively involved in Crossroads having served years on the Crossroads Board during the time of the transition into the Carnegie Library. “Nan was also on the gallery committee for years, was a dedicated shopkeeper and volunteer at Crossroads. She also taught extensively with her time at Crossroads. Where the story turns to remark- able is the long-standing friendship between Ann Eriksmoen and Nanci Sheppard—or Nan and Ann around Crossroads. Nan and Ann set on the gallery committee together, planned and organized the events, taught together and to this day go to what they call “Art Camp” twice a year in the mountains of Eastern Oregon joined by Kathy Vaughan, Sue Or- laske, and others. Cross- roads has open painting studio at least once a week and you would always find Nan and Ann there paint- ing. “So deep the friendship is that board would never consider honoring one of them without the other— yet individually their contributions to the arts community are so great. “A friendship forged by a common love of art and our community is bet- ter because of it,” writes Savage. Debbie Friedman. Crossroads Board was also unanimous in award- ing the first ever Honored Artist to a teacher to Cross- roads Ballet Instructor and ArtSpeak founder Debbie Friedman. Debbie Friedman, cur- rently is a certified Drug & Alcohol Counselor and Qualified Mental Health Associate for New Direc- tions Northwest, musician, and is Crossroads Classical Ballet Instructor. Debbie graduated from Emerson University with a Bachelor’s Degree in The- atre Education and got her Master’s Degree in Dance from Southern Methodist University. She has taught at Crossroads since ap- proximately 1987. In 1989, she founded ArtSpeak, a program to provide free art instruc- tion to at-risk communities focusing on youth and adults going through drug and alcohol rehabilita- tion. It continues today as Crossroads oldest and most critical program. ArtSpeak, which has been funded via grants and donations, has served thousands of children and adults. Debbie for years was the only ArtSpeak teacher—teaching dance after school at the schools, while continuing to teach at Crossroads. Currently, Paul Hoelscher, 2016 Crossroads Honored Artist, is the primary teacher for ArtSpeak—though the program is constantly in search of new instructors who bring a special magic to arts instruction. Debbie sings and performs with Valley Stream around the region and is the mother of two remarkable women- Dr. Lily Wittich and Raven Davis. Debbie’s Honored Artist Award is presented by Sharon Bannister. A Gift basket celebrating Deb- bie’s achievement is being created honoring the many facets of Debbie’s life. Ticket from Ballet Idaho and Body Vox, a contem- porary dance troupe in Portland, art supplies and other treasures will be auctioned off in Debbie’s name at Gala. All three artists will receive a glass award made by Professor Emeritus of Art from Eastern Oregon University and glass artist Tom Dimond of Cove, Oregon. Tickets for this year’s gala are available at Cross- roads, from Crossroads Board Members or via posts on Crossroads Carn- egie Art Center Facebook Page. Each ticket is $40 and includes a full dinner inspired by an actual menu from the Orient Express prepared by The Little Pig. Tickets must be purchased by October 14th and no tickets will be sold at the door. Crossroads will have a silent auction and live auction with auctioneer Mib Dailey and this year is adding a new raffle which will continue on through December 1st, with more details coming later. This year’s Gala is spon- sored by: John and Molly Wilson, Lew Brothers/Les Schwab Tires, Dennis and Terri Ax- ness, Dr. Eric and Kristy Sandefur, Grass Growers, Sharon Bannister Table Sponsors: Linda Jones, Beth Grimes, Lew Brothers/ Les Schwab, Dr. Eric and Katie Lamb, Rob and Dianne Ellingson, Vi- sion Wealth Management, An anonymous donor in tribute to Terri Axness, TDG & WDG, Baker City Herald, Maureen Beverlin and Lynn Johnston, Gregg Hinrichsen/ State Farm Insurance, Britt Sand and Gravel, Ryder Brothers, Baker Valley Physical Therapy, Baker Dental Group, McGuiness Group, Baker County AAUW, Step Forward Activities, Baker County Chamber of Commerce The Drunken Pig Raffle Sponsors: Walt and Kitty Jury, Kerry and Ginger Savage, Brian and Susan Watt, Baker County Custom Meats, David Knaub, Joy Cleaver, Ransom Spirits. Fall Bazaar on for November 4th The Seniors at Com- munity Connection are having their 21st annual Fall Bazaar Saturday No- vember 4th from 9 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Community Connection, 2810 Cedar ST, Baker City. There will be 38 vendors displaying their handcrafts, gifts, food and collectible items. Table spaces are $15. There will be a taco salad luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m. The proceeds from the bazaar will go to the senior nutrition program, and is a part of the regular fundraising activities of the Baker Seniors, who raise an average of $8,000 per year to support senior programs. GriefShare program begins Community members who have experienced the death of a family member or friend are invited to register for the GriefShare program held at Calvary Chapel Baker City. This nondenominational program features Christ- centered, biblical teaching that focuses on grief topics associated with the death of a loved one. The DVD seminar features nationally respected grief experts and real-life stories of people, followed by a small group discussion about what was seen on the DVD. Many grieving people find they are only beginning the work of healing when friends or family have returned to their daily life routines. Past participants have related how helpful the informa- tion and follow-up discussions were to them. Your be- reavement experience may be recent or not so recent. You will find encouragement, comfort, and help in grieving the death of a spouse, child, parent, sibling, other family member, or friend. Grief-related books/materials are made available for participants to borrow. GriefShare will be held Monday evenings at 6:00 p.m. starting October 16 and going through January 8. The group will meet at Calvary Chapel Baker City, 1668 Re- sort Street Suite B. To register or for questions, call Kadie at 541-519-1644. There is a $15 one-time fee to cover the cost of the workbook. Podcast CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “Being a history podcast, we don’t necessarily need to go to the place because often the place may be gone or, like our very first podcast was about a big explosion in Roseburg and there are no signs of that explosion left oth- er than a plaque that commemorates it,” said Lindberg. “So, we’re able to go just about anywhere and we’ve done stories—I don’t think we’ve done something in every county of the state but I think we’re getting close.” “Sometimes we talk about some Oregon Territory stuff, like we were in Walla Walla, at the Whitman Mission not too long ago doing a podcast about that but generally, pretty much within the borders of Oregon,” said Kenck- Crispin. “There’s enough that’s gone on while Oregon’s been a state that will keep us busy,” Lindberg commented. “We’re just looking for good stories and good stories centered in Oregon and that’s pretty much it; that’s the criterion,” explained Kenck-Crispin. Kenck-Crispin said, “We don’t have too many other selection processes than can we present this in a good telling to somebody who might be listening to it or inter- ested in it.” Man dies at Hewitt Park La Ferrest “L.A.” Gay, 64, of Portland died last Wednes- day afternoon while fishing at Hewitt Park. Gay was deceased when medics arrived. Gay fell down a fifteen- foot embankment, coming to rest on the dirt and rocks at the bottom. The incident is pending investigation as it’s not clear whether the victim simply slipped, or suffered an unexpected medical incident prior to falling. Medal of Valor Chief Wyn Lohner said, “Officer Hawkins’ actions exemplify his dedication, and the dedication of all of our police officers, to the citizens of Baker City whom we proudly serve.” Chastain said, “I could not be more proud of Officer Hawkins … His actions exemplify the meaning of serv- ing our public. Putting his personal safety in danger to climb into a burning, smoke-filled apartment to assist an elderly member of our community to safety is the level of service most law enforcement officers, I feel, strive to achieve. We don’t do this job for recognition or awards. We do it to serve our community, to keep them safe and provide them with a good quality of life, and Officer Hawkins is the epitome of what I have striven for in my entire career. Again, I could not be more proud of him. As we have seen in recent events like the tragedy in Las Vegas, our great law enforcement officers like Officer Hawkins, run to danger, not away from it.” How did Chastain choose to make the nomination? He explained that after speaking with Sells, Chastain then took the idea to Lt. Dustin Newman. Based on Newman’s suggestion, he identified the fire department members, some community members present on the scene, and the victim—and interviewed all of them. Chastain said, “Fire personnel told me that the smoke was so bad in the room Officer Hawkins had entered, that they felt his personal safety and health was at risk … The victim, when interviewed, tearfully told me, ‘If Officer Hawkins had not been there, I wouldn’t be here today.’” Chastain summarized, “This was all completed around August 1, 2017, and about three weeks ago, the Chief received notification from the OPOA of the pending award. Last week, Lt. Newman and I received the offi- cial notification by email of the award, and I was honored to personally notify Officer Hawkins and his family.”
