Lo c a l a r t i s t s t o b e g i n ‘ D a n ce w i t h S e a L i o n s’ i n
p re p a rat i o n fo r F E C ’s 2 0 t h a n n i ve r s a r y
2016 marks the FEC’s 20th anniversary as a leader
in community arts and entertainment. A coast-wide
celebration of this milestone will come in the form of the
iconic sea lion and its longstanding relationship with the
Florence area. Jennifer Connor, FEC marketing specialist
and event coordinator, said, “This is a project not just for
the FEC and our celebration, but a project for the city,
community and whole Oregon coast.”
Dancing with Sea Lions will be a public art display
sponsored by the nonprofi t group Friends of the Florence
Events Center and local businesses and individuals.
As many as 20 area artists will be a large part of the
historic project, which is centered around 20 fi berglass
sea lions that are 7.5-feet tall. Each is a blank canvas that
can be decorated to refl ect the artist’s own unique style.
Sponsorships are available for the project. Sponsoring
a sea lion costs $1,500, with a total of 20 sponsorships
available. Other sponsorship options are also available.
For example, two businesses, Sea Lion Caves, Three
Rivers Casino Resort and FURA, have teamed up under
the name “Stellar Underwriters.”
“I keep going back to our original theme, that the arts
have a ripple effect on the community. Art reaches out to
all ages, and this project will reach out to all ages too,”
Connor said.
The “blank canvas” is a plain design nicknamed
“Porter,” which is modeled after a cow sea lion.
The project offi cially kicked off Nov. 1, when the
call to artists went out. A grant from Spirit Mountain
Community Fund will provide a $500 stipend for the
artists who are selected and complete their project.
“In the beginning, they will get $250 up front so that
they can get their supplies and start the project. When the
sea lion is completed, they’ll get another $250. We hope
that’s an incentive to bring in the artists, and that will get
a lot of ideas going,” said Connor.
The Florence Public Arts Committee is helping set
standards, so certain designs will not be allowed. Selected
artists were notifi ed by the end of December. They will
receive their statues this month and fi nish work in March,
before the April 7 and 8 Dancing with Sea Lions Splash
Off, when all 20 unique sea lions will be on display at the
FEC.
“I foresee some of these sea lions will be in the area
for years,” said Connor.
While they are on display, a map will detail each
of the 20 locations, starting at the Umpqua Discovery
Center in Reedsport, stretching through Florence to the
Sea Lion Caves on Highway 101 and up toward the Sea
Lion Foundation in Newport. Many of the sea lions will
be available for auction in October 2016.
For more information about Dancing with Sea Lions,
visit www.facebook.com/DancingWithSeaLions.
Ca l l i n g a l l a r t i s t s ‘ Fo r t h e Love o f An i m a l s’
The month of February will include the
second annual “For the Love of Animals”
exhibit at FEC. This highly successful
event is a chance as an artistic community
to support the local Florence Area Humane
Society (FAHS). By renting a rod for $20
for up to three paintings or photographs,
artists can help get the word out about the
importance of supporting shelter animals.
Beside each rod will be a photo of an animal
up for adoption at the FAHS. Artists will
receive the proceeds of any artwork sold
(minus FEC commission). All proceeds
from the exhibit Feb. 12, from 10 a.m. to
2 p.m., will be donated to FAHS. While at
the reception, guests can buy raffl e tickets
to win a voucher for a portrait of their pet
to be painted by well-known local artist
John Leasure. The drawing will be held at
2 p.m. Also, we will have a photo booth
set up for pet photos, to be developed
almost instantly.
Complimentary refreshments will be
served to delight pet owners and their pets,
and we will have a bin for donations of pet
food for the FAHS.
This exhibit will be a win-win for all
involved in this annual event. Artists are
encouraged to sign up for a rod by Jan.
25 at the FEC. Three-D items relating to
the animal theme are also welcome for the
display case, at $20 for up to three items,
space permitting. Application forms are
available weekdays at the FEC Offi ce, or
on its website at www.eventcenter.org.
Cast announced for upcoming ‘Diar y of Anne Frank’ production
The story of Anne Frank captured with
heartbreaking eloquency in the pages of
her diary have been shared on stage, fi lm
and countless art forms over the decades.
However, newly discovered writings from
her diary, along with survivor accounts,
have been interwoven into a contemporary
and impassioned re-telling of the lives of
people persecuted under Nazi rule.
Written by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, and adapted for the stage by
Wendy Kesselman, the play has been described by The Associated Press as “A powerful
new version that moves the audience to gasps, then tears.”
The play captures the claustrophobic realities of the families in hiding as they move
through a daily existence mixed with fear, hope, laughter and grief during the two dark
years Anne Frank and her family managed to stay alive within the confi nes of a space
that was both safe haven and prison.
Presented by The Last Resort Players and directed by Jennifer Connor and Cathy
Dupont, auditions for “Diary of Anne Frank” were held last month, with the following
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cast members announced for the show’s April
run:
Otto Frank — Dana Rodet
Edith Frank — Kate Gibson
Margot Frank — Brooklyn Cahoon
Anne Frank — Memphis Glieve
Mr. Putti Van Daan — Jim Wellington
Mrs. Petronella Van Daan — Jackie
Crave
Peter Van Daan — Kyle Hight
Jan Dussell — Grant Harmond
Miep — Trudie Cahoon
Mr. Kraler — to be determined
Nazi soldiers: Wayne Sharpe, Taylor
Smith, Jamison Smith and James Bonisteel
For more information,
visit www.lastresortplayers.org.
The Florence Events Center website: www.eventcenter.org