raise and support themselves, but visual
artists are a whole different kettle of fish.
From what I’ve witnessed over the past 50
years living around painters, their creative
drive doesn’t leave them time for meetings
or business details. If someone wants
to promote them or pay the bills, fine.
Otherwise, they’ll be found in their studio.
Eugene has a plethora of creative
people living here but very few patrons
with the means to lend continuous
support. I’ve even had conversations with
local wealthy art buyers who would rather
travel to the artsy places like Santa Fe to
buy art because those pieces will be more
impressive to their friends than any art
they could buy here from us “no-name”
locals. Nice.
So, if any of you out there are driven
to be a visual artist, be warned that it is a
rough road. If all you want is to be famous
and pay your bills by selling your art —
Ha! You’ll have to look for an honest
promoter (and it won’t be a gallery —
they’re interested in making money off
you, not taking care of you like in the past)
or a sugar mama/daddy, and don’t expect a
city government to find outlets for your art.
Your success is the least of their concerns.
To be an artist is to be a creative hustler.
Some can do it, some can’t.
Annie Kayner
Eugene
KLCC IS LACKING
Public radio station KLCC 89.7 FM
in Eugene is no longer serving us. Years
ago they ended the local call-in show
facilitating discussions and debates on
local issues. The only show left that speaks
truth to big-money power, Alternative
Radio, has been cancelled.
Don Hein needs to go. When I called
him to talk about Alternative Radio, I
asked him to give me an example of why
they are ending the show. He answered:
“Noam Chomsky.” Renowned political
theorist Chomsky?
If this concerns you, boycott
the KLCC Microbrew Festival in February
and do not donate to KLCC. Public radio
should be a counterbalance to for-profit
radio that is paid for by businesses and
typically caters to their point of view.
KLCC is not doing its job.
Pam Driscoll
Dexter
EDWARDS’ LEADERSHIP
Thank you for your excellent coverage
of the Healthy Climate Act in your
Jan. 28 article “Climate Politics: Will
Oregon’s Legislature Step Up?” Senator
Chris Edwards is the chief sponsor and
champion of the Healthy Climate Act,
which would put a cap or limit on Oregon’s
greenhouse gas emissions and invest the
funds generated by the cap in projects to
mitigate climate change and help those
most affected by it.
Edwards is working extremely hard
on this bill, drafting the bill language,
working with advocates and those
opposed, holding hearings and working
to gain the support of his colleagues in
the Legislature. But the bill is facing
opposition.
Senator Edwards, thank you so much
for your leadership on the Healthy Climate
Act. Your constituents are behind you
and appreciate all that you are doing to
advance the Healthy Climate Act this
session.
Megan Kemple
Eugene
TABLOID RADIO
Sean S. Doyle in his letter Jan. 28
describes his frustrating conversation
with KLCC’s station manager Don Hein.
Likewise, he questions the sponsorship
of NPR programming by two of the
worst U.S. Corporations, Chase Bank and
McDonald’s.
I’ll add the American Cancer Society
to the list. The ACS might appear to be a
good sponsor, but it’s not. Many people are
still unaware of the widespread corruption
within “the cancer industry,” and it’s
doubtful we’ll hear any conversations
about it on NPR.
The problem can be traced to NPR’s
president Jarl Mohn, who wants to double
corporate underwriting. He’s also a
former executive with E! Entertainment,
MTV and VH1. Is it any wonder KLCC/
NPR has been amplifying its coverage of
celebrity worship?
Mohn says the core of NPR’s mission is
fact-based journalism. Yes, it’s absolutely
essential to get your facts straight about
these stars and superstars. After all, NPR
doesn’t want to give the impression it’s a
tabloid radio station.
Chuck Kleinhans in his letter Feb. 4
says we can get many progressive radio
stations online; however, a computer or
smart phone may not be accessible for
low- or no-income people.
The huge corporate sponsors and the
Democrat Party-dominated NPR no longer
want us to hear the thoughts and ideas of
certain progressives and topics mentioned
by David Barsamian in his letter Feb. 4.
Small community radio stations (such
as KXCR in Florence) require and deserve
our support. We need more of these stations.
They’re our last hope for peoples’ radio.
Robert Simms
Philomath
TOKE AND CRUISE
The voters have been persuaded to
legalize marijuana. The Legislature has
chosen to raise the speed limit to 70 mph
in certain rural areas. What’s next? A new
state motto: “Oregon: Get high. Drive fast.”
Edward T. Monks
Eugene
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ANNEXATION GAME
selco.org / 541-686-8000
Lane County Democrats tend to think
theirs is the party that stands up for
“the little guy.” Why then is Springfield
Sen. Lee Beyer sponsoring Senate Bill
1573 in the 2016 Legislature, written by
the Oregon Homebuilders Association
and Oregonians In Action to revoke
certain voting rights for nearly 600,000
Oregonians? Email secretary@ocva.org
to learn more.
Jerry Ritter
Springfield
Several locations in Eugene and Springfi eld
NMLS# 402847
Membership requirements apply. See SELCO for details.
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eugeneweekly.com • February 11, 2016
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