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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 21, 2010)
visual arts BY NATALIE MILLER Art, Meet Kickboxing Bird Hat Canvas by Melissa Rae Olsen Graf Pod by Kryst The Art of War opens downtown A local creative couple wants to promotes self-defense through mixed challenge the notion of a traditional martial arts, Jason also encourages people art gallery in downtown, mixing to use the personal fi tness training and east and west, high fashion and fi tness. workout equipment, saying, “It’s hard to Art of War, at 251B W. 7th Ave, is the defend yourself if you’re not strong.” newest addition to Eugene’s collection But Alisha knows that martial arts of downtown art galleries; it opened studios can often feel intimidating. By Saturday, Jan. 16. But owners Jason and combining the martial arts with the Alisha Georgianna want to do more than art gallery, she hopes to create a more mixing mediums — they’re uniting Jason’s welcoming environment that will attract extensive knowledge of mixed martial arts everyone, including children. Alisha has (MMA) and Alisha’s aptitude for design. assumed the role of Art of War’s curator. The husband and wife team transformed Her art background lies in costume design an old automotive repair shop into an art for theater, editorial fashion and fi lm. gallery and mixed martial arts school (a For the Art of War’s grand opening, tial arts techniques, Alisha selected pieces from a fusion of various martial o-hand combat). combination of mostly Portland mixed with hand-to-hand ided into two and Eugene artists, including the The building is divided work of her sister, Melissa Rae distinct parts. From the street, you r ow space Olsen. Alish enter into a long narr narrow Alisha combined Olsen’s her fu f furniture, rniture, lack and w fi lled with white leather white photographs of on of urban women, a han bamboo and a collection handful of colorful urban art paintings art and classic black and white paintings, photographs of local h then musician Justin King and a life- photographs, which size sold opens into a larger area for soldier with a gas mask. With the division of space, martial arts classes. The lete Art of War’s main concepts fi tness area is complete iple remain separate. But as the with weights, multiple and Georg punching bags Georgiannas’ art collection grow changing rooms, and grows, they plan to unite y the two by extending is nearly completely the art into the fi tness surrounded by a area. Alisha says she chain link fence. wants to create a space that The old car garage incorpor doors with windows s are incorporates both urban and ng the classic a art — a “luxury loft” still in place, giving y feel. that is also fun and funky, building an open, airy t With 12 years of training that will appeal to Corporate as a professional MMA the people working Soldier fi ghter and an M.A. in out. Because she has by physical education, Jason friends at Hoodz n Jud Turner Gearz gallery (another local will use the fi tness area to spot featuring urban art and MMA), teach self-defense classes. Alisha hopes to swap pieces back Art of War will offer classes and forth betw for beginners to the e more between galleries. g from In the nea experienced, ranging near future, Art of War ing to muay Thai kickboxing will have a Web site, artofwar- pling B in the meantime, jujitsu, yoga, grappling mma.com. But head downt and MMA. A time will downtown to see Eugene’s ed newest ar also be designated art gallery and MMA school; ta for team practice for r take a class or simply s. enjoy the a art. ew professional fi ghters. NATAL IE MIL LER dio And while the studio TRASK BEDORTHA Ryon Haris and Jason Georgianna sparring “FEED YOUR CRAVINGS!” BIG AL’S WEEKLY SPECIAL LOBSTER STUFFED RIB-EYE WRAPPED IN BACON 715 Quince St, Florence Saturday 10-7 • Sunday 10-3 2 Days of Top American Folk Artists With Headliners MISTY RIVER Saturday 7pm & THE BROTHERS FOUR Sunday 3pm FREE ARTISANS CRAFT FAIR For Tickets and Information www.winterfolkfestival.org or 1-888-968-4086 Winter Folk Festival Underwriters: Coast Radio 106.9fm, 104.1fm, &1250am, Edward & Joan Long, Florence Area Chamber of Commerce, Florence Grocery Outlet, Perfectly Stable Music, Sea Lion Caves/ The Shorewood, Siuslaw News, Terrace Homes, Inc, & Weiner Consulting Services, LLC Sponsored by the friends of FEC WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM ED VOT ST BE AK STE PRESENT THIS COUPON TO RECIEVE 50% OFF A DINNER ENTREE OF EQUAL OR LESSER VALUE WITH THE PURCHASE OF ONE ENTREE & TWO BEVERAGES AT REGULAR PRICE. ONE COUPON PER TABLE. NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFER. EXPIRES 1/31/10 BURGER & BREW MONDAY-THURSDAY $8.50 DIFFERENT BURGER DAILY | BAR ONLY OPEN FOR DINNER 7 DAYS A WEEK • 683-3108 EUGENE WEEKLY JANUARY 21, 2010 25
