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About The Chronicle : Creswell & Cottage Grove. (Creswell, Ore.) 2019-current | View Entire Issue (May 25, 2023)
16 — THE CHRONICLE Here THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 Art talk about the Cottage Grove Art Walk Nonprofit spotlight to help COTTAGE GROVE 4 With the sun o nally shining but the summer heat not fully bearing down on us, it is the most inviting time of year to go to the Cottage Grove Art Walk on the last Friday of the month. All one needs to do is look for the n ags in Historic Downtown to o nd the participating venues. Laurel Gravem Alvarez is displaying original Sarina Dorie watercolor paintings as well as reproductions and Springfield arts cards at The Crafty Mercantile. Her intricate details and vivid colors capture the energy of the birds she paints. The gold leaf in her works make her paint- ings feel like they are glowing. <My father was a falconer and amateur (but serious) ornithologist. We had aviaries o lled with exotic o nches and falcons & He would bring home abandoned baby birds that we9d keep in heated aviaries and hand-feed around the clock until ready to release,= she said. "This was a time before wildlife rescues.= Alvarez has participated in art leagues and galleries in her previous locations of North Bend and South Texas. Now that she has returned to Cottage Grove, she said she is <enjoying exploring all the art-friendly events and venues in this area as well as meeting local artists and patrons.= Recently, Alvarez had a show at Opal WHAT: Cottage Art Center and will also be showing Grove Art Walk at Apple Pie Antiques in August. She WHEN: Friday, May is a member of the Cottage Grove Art 26, 6-8 p.m. Collective and will be participating in WHERE: Downtown its Paint a Suitcase event at Cottage Cottage Grove Grove Bohemian Mining Days in July. MORE INFO: Oper- She is a resident artist at the New Zone ates under Another Art Gallery and belongs to the Maude Way Enterprises, a nonproo t organization Kerns Art Center in Eugene. Jasen Szczepaniak has his first that supports local ofo cial show at Opal Center for Arts community projects. and Education, where he will be sell- The CG Art Walk Com- ing photos on canvas, framed prints, mittee is composed of a group of volunteers photos on metal, and cards. <I o nd inspiration in a n ower or a who connect with local buttern y, the way light hits a building, artists and businesses, how the sun shimmers on the river. But organize entertainment my biggest inspiration is the beauty of and events, and write the Pacio c Northwest,= Szczepaniak grants. said. This can be seen in the brilliant colors and evocative framing of his photographs of a rainbow, sunset, or earthy woodland scenes. These photographs feel like home while simultaneously making the viewer feel like they want to get up and go to these places. Szczepaniak started photography as a hobby, taking photos of local attractions, and posting them on the Facebook page, <What9s Going on in Cottage Grove.= He received such positive responses from local businesses like Coast Fork Brewing, Gift Basket, Kalapuya Books, Opal Center for the Arts, and Axe and Fiddle, that he asked if he could sell his art in their stores. Now he is showing at events like Art in the Vineyard. The artist is hopeful he will be able to get out and take more photos soon. His mobility is affected by osteoarthritis. For that reason, his artwork is his only source of income. The Art Walk is a place that helps artists like Szczepaniak make a living. Apple Pie Antiques is showcasing the still-life paintings of Melissa Sikes. This artist loves painting on wood panels because the wood creates another textural element in the paintings. Acrylics allow her to work quickly and rework things when necessary. Alix Mosier is displaying paintings at The Bookmine. Other partic- ipating venues for May are 541 Exchange, Flying Monkeys, Ambrose Collectibles, Kalapuya Books, The Brewstation, T&K Creations, and Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce. Buskers include William Stotts on saxophone and Ron Thomas singing and guitar. IFYOUGO: BOB WILLIAMS / THE CHRONICLE Sneakers, prom dresses, and Dolly Parton SPRINGFIELD 4 Lance Casey and Jess Coonfare are winners of the Springû eld Twin Rivers Rotary Prom 5K held over the weekend at Island Park. Proceeds beneû t the Springû eld Young Readers Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program, and a life-sized cut out of Parton was on display as a photo prop at the event. Below, participants Paul and Brandy Selby pose with a cardboard Parton. Her literacy project provides a free book every month for all Springû eld children from birth to age 5. More photos: Chronicle1909.com <Sand-crane,= watercolor and gold leaf by Laurel Alvarez. <Tranquility,= photograph of the Northern California coast by Jasen Szczepaniak. Springfield9s Full Service, Locally Owned Printer Since 1984 Copies " Brochures " Color Copies " Flyers " Bindery Laminations " Business Cards " Envelopes Notary " Fax Service . . . and more
