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SEPTEMBER 15�22, 2021
MIXED MEDIUM
THE ARTS AROUND
EASTERN OREGON
An art center for Grant County
day, fi ber on Thursday and mixed media
or movie making on Friday.
Randleas said Alicia Griffi n is “the driv-
ing force behind the youth programs” —
especially theater.
“She’s making sure the kids have the-
ater,” Randleas said.
The center produced one youth play in
2019, one in 2020, and will present two in
2021.
As for the monthly movies, the activity
will continue this fall and winter inside the
theater space in Canyon City Community
Hall.
By Lisa Britton
Go! Magazine
C
ANYON CITY — Talks began in 2018
to establish an art center in Grant
County.
“We wanted to create more of an art
scene, and gather these artists togeth-
er,” said Kim Randleas.
Painted Sky Center for the Arts, 118 S.
Washington St., opened in the fall of 2019.
“Not very good timing,” Randleas said.
Several months later, the coronavirus
pandemic wreaked havoc on their plans.
“We were open, closed, open, closed,
virtual,” she said.
They made up for it this summer,
thanks to several grants geared toward
re-engaging students after a nontradi-
tional school year.
“This summer was amazing,”
Randleas said.
The center off ered six summer
camps, and organized outdoor movie
and craft nights once a month.
The art center occupies two buildings,
to the north and south of Canyon City
Park. One is a former restaurant, and the
ceramics studio is in the former kitchen
area. A leather shop is in the back.
WORKSHOPS
Painted Sky Center for the Arts/Contributed photo
A “dips and dots” art class for youngsters included three days of art activities this summer at
Grant County’s Painted Sky Center for the Arts in Canyon City.
The second building is used for youth
activities. It has three classrooms for the
afterschool program, which also includes
all day on Fridays, when school is not
in session.
“The kids are safe, and making art,”
Randleas said.
Four instructors and the youth
programs supervisor oversee the 30
students in the program. Each day has
a diff erent theme: painting on Monday,
poetry on Tuesday, drawing on Wednes-
Art classes and workshops — ranging
from leather to ceramics to paint — are
planned for the fall. To see the off erings,
and register, go to www.paintedskycen-
ter.com. Updates are also posted on the
center’s Facebook page.
Scholarships are available.
“We don’t want any barriers to access,”
Randleas said. “We want everyone to be
involved in the art center and the arts.”
Memberships include perks such as
10% off class costs. Memberships are
$25 for students, $40 for adults, or $60
for artists.