6 Thursday, March 18, 2021 GO! magazine — A&E in Northeast Oregon YESTERDAY, TODAY & TOMORROW today LA GRANDE — In January, all Art Center East staff members went on furlough including Darcy Dolge, Sarah West and Jenn Durr, in order to protect the organization’s resources and come out the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the dedication and work of volunteer docents, the art center’s galleries remained open, with public health restrictions and protocols in place. This week Art Center East announced the staff will be back to work as of Wednesday, March 17, thanks to the Payroll Protection Program. In the press release, the ACE board said of the ACE staff, “We are deeply grateful for their patience with pan- demic realities and looking forward to their leadership and creativity.” IN THE GALLERIES The two exhibits on display in the ACE galleries will remain up until March 27. View the shows in person or take advantage of the virtual exhibit walkthroughs on ACE’s website (virtual tours courtesy of John J. Howard and Associates Real Estate). Go to www.artcentereast.org, then scroll down and choose “Current Exhibits” under the “Exhibits” tab. “Comfort” is the center’s fi fth annual fi ber arts and jewelry show. This annual exhibit creates a platform for an underrepresented branch of the visual arts while showcasing the breadth of talent within our local community of fi ber and jewelry artists. ACE/Contributed Photo For this year’s pandemic-era show, local artists explored the theme of creating and experiencing comfort “ODOT Pond, Ladd Marsh” by Jo through art-making. Cowling is part of ACE’s “Comfort” “Documentation” is a collection of Berenice Chavez’s photographs. Using a range of fi lm types, large and small fi ber arts and jewelry exhibit. formats, candid shots and portraiture, Chavez’s photography documents her family’s domestic life — especially that of her mother. Chavez began photographing her family in 2018 when her mother faced deportation to Mexico for the third time. Current gallery hours are 1-5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, with a limit of 50% occupancy. Admission is always free. All staff and In order to help keep the community safe, Art Center East has visitors are required to wear a mask when inside the building. For more on the drastically reduced the ways it earns income, and that has made it center’s COVID-19 safety policy, go to www.artcentereast.org/visit/covid-safety- diffi cult to pay the nonprofi t’s basic operating expenses. policies. Keep your community art center around by making a donation, Art Center East is located in La Grande’s Carnegie library building, 1006 becoming a member, volunteering, or shopping online and in the Penn Ave. For more information or to arrange a private tour, call 541-624-2800 building’s gift gallery — or, buying gift cards at www.artcentereast. during gallery hours or email info@artcentereast.org. org/product/gift-certifi cate. Your One Stop Music Shop tomorrow yesterday Many of Art Center East’s past exhibits are archived on its website for viewing (and shopping). Go to www.artcentereast. org, then scroll down and choose “Past Exhibits” under the “Exhibits” tab. The most recent show was “The Big,” ACE’s annual open exhibit, which was in the gallery in December and January. The archive includes a recording of the exhibit’s virtual opening reception and an interactive virtual walkthrough tour. “The Big” is a showcase of the talent hidden in our backyard. The Big invites artists from Eastern Oregon and the greater Northwest to share their work while creating awareness of the value of the arts in our community and raising funds for community arts programming at ACE. ACE/Contributed Photo Amanda Welch’s “Winter Owl” may be viewed in a virtual walkthrough of ACE’s previous exhibit, “The Big.” According to Art Center East’s website, these donations support: • Free gallery exhibits • Free monthly author readings • Free art activities at the farmers market • Free events and gatherings • Artistic and cultural experiences for the whole family • Community music • Classes that spark creativity and entrepreneurship • Fostering a region where artists can live, work and grow • A place to meet new people and spend time with your friends • A place to learn new things, share your talents and get inspired Donations will help keep the doors open through the pandemic so ACE can blossom on the other side. There are many ways to help preserve Art Center East’s 43 years of hard work building a home for community arts and culture in Union County. For more information, go to www.artcentereast.org/support/ donate. Get Everything You Need to Keep the Beat Going Lessons Rentals Jam Sessions Direct Music Source 1206 Adams Ave La Grande, Oregon 97850 (541) 962-0307