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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (May 29, 2019)
SIUSLAW NEWS | WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2019 | 7A VISION from page 1A “One of the interesting things is … Siuslaw is entirely community led,” Lacer con- tinued. “This visioning effort was not sponsored by the city, by the county or by any gov- ernment agency. It was spon- sored and led by community members.” Utilizing grants from The Ford Family Foundation, a steering team of seven Vision Keepers, six advisory com- mittee members, two paid contractors and “a million wonderful community volun- teers,” according to Lacer, the Siuslaw Vision has accom- plished several of its starting goals. These include the cre- ation of a free, user-friendly community calendar at Riv- erCal.org; the second year of the Florence Farmers Market each Tuesday from May to October; and other, small- er ways for people to engage with the Vision. “One of the things we started recently … are ‘IPAs’ — Initiative Proposal Agree- ments. We like to say, ‘Have a beer with the Vision,’” Lacer said. “It’s a way of allowing the Vision to find out what community needs there are, what specific projects com- munity members want to work on and then how the Vision can help them work on that. It provides a little bit of structure for how both sides to accomplish what the community wants to see hap- pen.” Community-driven efforts are at the heart of the Vision, which seeks to come along- side people’s passions and equip them to accomplish Let me Showcase your property. Brian Jagoe Principal Broker 541 999-1314 91 Windleaf Way – Beautiful .31 acre lot in the wonderful community of Heceta South. This is a great opportunity to build your dream home close to the beach. Seller is willing to carry, so bring us an offer and start planning your future in Flor- ence. $68,000. #2797-18615048 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200 something tangible within the region. It’s how the Flor- ence Pickleball Association has gained recognition as a driver for bringing increased recreational opportunities to the city. And it’s how Flor- ence’s efforts to create public art are coming to fruition. “Art is one of our six main pillars of the Vision. It’s an area where the Vision proper isn’t really hands on,” Lacer said. “We’ve got all kinds of little art projects, art efforts, going on in the communi- ty and a lot of them happen without the Vision being hands on. We still consid- er them part of the Vision — they are community-led efforts working to make life better for residents in our re- gion — so we’re here to sup- port them.” The focus of the VtA Tour in Florence was on the arts as participants got the chance to go on one of four tours sur- rounding public and commu- nity art in the area. Vision Keeper Jo Beau- dreau said, “Today we’re go- ing to be talking a lot about the arts. Whatever your art is, whether it’s cooking, poetry, writing, visual arts, theater arts, you name it, you can do that. … Because the arts are important and what con- nects us together across cul- tures, age groups, economic backgrounds, educational backgrounds, etc. You guys already know this.” The four tours included a tour of Florence’s newest mural at the intersection of Quince Street and Highway 126, the Old Town Florence Public Art Tour, the Siuslaw Public Library Art Tour and the “Too Tired to Tour” vis- it to Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) Art Center, where people got the chance to make art and learn about Florence’s galleries and art events. City of Florence Commu- nity and Economic Develop- ment Assistant Sarah Moer- hke led the Gateway Mural Tour and hoped to give par- ticipants the chance to talk Coming Wednesday, June 5th FROM BabyTO Graduate 8TH GRADE • HIGH SCHOOL • COLLEGE Now is the time to reserve your graduates a spot in this special section just for them. Grad’s Name School: Birth Date: CHANTELLE MEYER/SIUSLAW NEWS Florence artist F. Michael Woods is restoring “Sea Life Mural,” by Mark Storaasli, located on the ICM Restaurant building. to the artists Angelina Mari- in their towns, including back to the successes and no and Joel Heidel of Mari- connecting youth, combin- challenges of each commu- no-Heidel Studios, based in ing visual arts with theater nity. Portland. and performing arts, toning “A lot of people have been “I’m going to talk about down competitive aspects talking about relationships the mural that the Public and working together. and how important they are Art Committee of the City of “People need to realize in this process,” Jones said. Florence has started putting the world is very abundant, “Another challenge is how up, and conflict and resolu- and there’s enough for all. If to consider your own story tion with that process,” she I bring someone in, it might and that being a part of the said. benefit you as well,” one at- process. The emphasis on Florence Public Art Com- tendee said. “We need to celebrating in Independence mittee Chairman Harlen break that kind of idea of is inspiring. They actually Springer led the tour through scarcity, because we live in pre-celebrate stuff, and I’m Historic Old Town. the richest country in the like ‘That’s how you do it.’ According to Vision Co- world and there’s plenty for That’s how you get people ordinator Stephanie Sarles, everyone, but a lot of it de- to celebrate the start of your “The group was particularly pends on your attitude” project.” interested in the Art Exposed Jones, who attended the “It’s nice to see so many pieces being available for sale. FRAA tour, said that in Illi- communities doing things One participant expressed nois Valley, “We plan things and the way they do them,” how beneficial that seems that are beneficial to all the Beaudreau added. for both the Public Art Com- groups while showcasing the The Siuslaw Vision is no mittee and the artists. Harlen different groups.” longer in planning stages for emphasized that the public FRAA President Kristin its vision process; in fact, at art in Florence doesn’t follow Anderson said, “Everybody four years in, it is looking to a particular theme, but each who joins FRAA knows that the future. piece is different to appeal our goal is for them to be- “It’s been an interesting to different artists, the com- come part of a community. If mix,” Lacer said. “Our Vi- munity and visitors who will you sell something, great. We sion is very ambiguous, it’s view the art.” will help put your stuff on the fuzzy, and we’re always con- Springer also said that one wall and help you sell, but if stantly trying to wrap our of Florence’s most recogniz- you want to be rich, there’s arms around it to better our able murals, “Sea Life Mural” other private galleries that understanding of it, and it’s by Mark Storaasli on the ICM can help you do that.” always evolving. … So where Restaurant building, is being She said the art center’s are we going next? We’d like restored by local painter F. goal is to be a place for artists to know, and you guys are Michael Woods. and community members going to help us figure that “It was fun to show the to come together, adding, out.” group the ‘art in action,’” “They can hang out here and The Siuslaw Vision is un- Sarles said. be friends. Maybe that would dergoing a strategic planning The groups could either relax some of the competi- process to look at the organi- drive to their locations or tion. Let’s all make it togeth- zation, the potential neces- walk, which offered an on- er.” sity of changing from being the-ground tour of the ReVi- Sarles gave a recap of peo- a steering committee to a sion Florence Streetscaping ple’s comments about the 501(c)(3) and other aspects Project on Highway 101. tours through Florence, in- for what the future could be. At FRAA, Beaudreau cluding on Florence’s mix “We hired a consultant to demonstrated some of her of a city Public Art Com- help us assess where we are, favorite water-based art tools mittee coupled with artists where we want to go and how and allowed the attendees to who want creativity and we can best serve the com- doodle, paint, draw on and grassroots methods and col- munity,” Lacer said. “Right otherwise decorate postcards, laboration working hand-in- now, … we’re just a group a big part of the tour for her. hand with city policies for of community members. She also talked about FRAA meeting requirements. Should we continue that as a “community-centered “They enjoyed meeting the way? We’re also looking at art center,” the 2nd Saturday people involved in bringing sustainability, of course, just Gallery Tour, demARTS and art to the community,” she like all the rest of you in this other area initiatives to unite said. “They also loved think- community-building world, Florence’s artists. ing about the impacts that art how to best sustain the effort, The VtA Tour participants can have in a community and both financially and with discussed a series of ques- how art can use commonali- volunteers, the human capi- tions about connecting vari- ties to bring people together. tal.” ous art groups into the com- One person observed that the Following the tour groups, munity-building process, art gave the town a feeling of the full VtA Team recon- encouraging collaboration friendliness by creating invit- vened at the Honeyman State and healing rifts. ing spaces. Another said she Park East Woahink Meeting “How do the arts bring learned how important com- Hall before heading to the fi- people together?” Beaudreau munication is for public arts nal event in Roseburg. asked. “There are different projects.” “We wanted to give them a kinds of art, we all know that, The purpose of the VtA taste of the Siuslaw Region’s we all have different ideas Tour was to be an experi- beautiful forest scenery and and opinions about our art. ential learning opportunity. Honeyman’s yurt seemed like It’s in the eye of the beholder. Throughout the tour in Flor- the perfect place to reflect on Some people may like some ence, VtA members talked their time in Florence,” Sarles things and not like another.” about community building, said. “Each person in the The attendees talked about specifically on growth and group had an opportunity to successful arts movements development, and related share briefly about insights they gained during their time in Florence or tell everyone what their favorite part of the tour was.” As VtA planned the tour, organizers wrote, “We hope VOTED #1 REALTOR 5 YEARS everyone will be (re)ener- Siuslaw News Readers Choice gized for the work. We en- im Hoberg is a Florence native, looking for ways to expand his courage visiting community and has been working in areas of expertise. Recently he has representatives to plan to Real Estate since 1989. He has earned the NAR Green designation served as a Realtor for 30 years. He and the Senior Real Estate Specialist share their learnings back to has obtained several designations designation. Jim enjoys helping their community.” that require continuing education, people fi nd solutions to their real During the comments, the which keeps him on the cutting edge estate needs and discovering why Florence is such a great place to live. of the industry and he is constantly participants praised various communities’ successes. “We learned so much from Independence. They’re doing it,” one person said. “Illinois Valley has it going on,” Beaudreau added. “We think the same thing about Florence,” a third per- son answered. C elebrating 30 Years Parents: in Real Estate Grandparents: Deadline is Friday, May31st Just bring in or mail, with the coupon below, your graduate’s favorite baby picture along with a current picture to be published side by side on June 5th.† Enclose Check for $35.00 and mail to Grad’s Name: School: Birth Date: “Baby to Graduate Review” Parents: Siuslaw News P.O. Box 10, Florence, OR 97439 Or stop by our office at 148 Maple St. Address: (in Old Town Florence) J Grandparents: JIM HOBERG Broker/Owner • • • Your Name: • RESIDENTIAL • LAND • COMMERCIAL • PROPERTY MANAGEMENT • 541.997.7653 Fax: 541.997.7654 Phone: VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW . JIMHOBERG . COM †Please attach a self-addressed envelope for picture return. 1870 Hwy. 126, Suite A • PO Box 3040, Florence, OR For more information on the Siuslaw Vision, visit RiverCal.org. For more infor- mation on The Ford Family Foundation and the Ford In- stitute for Community Build- ing, visit www.tfff.org.
