Category: Community Support

Confederated Tribal Mural Starts June 1st. Come Party with Us on June 11th!

Community Support

By Trieste Andrews

A mural depicting the tribal story of how Coyote and Meadowlark created the Falls in Oregon City began Wednesday June 1st . The new mural will be located at White Rabbit Black Ink on 503 Main Street on the corner of 99 and Main. The 75’ x 19’ mural will welcome visitors into Oregon City, and we are honored that it will be created by tribal artist, Brian Krehbiel, representing the Confederated Tribes – an authentic part of Oregon City’s history. This will be the first of its kind in Oregon City.

On June 11th White Rabbit will be hosting a block party with a portion of the proceeds going to The Living Room for LGBTQ Youth in Oregon City. TRAG and our mural Artist Brian Krehbiel have been invited to participate in this fun and meaningful event. The block party is on Saturday June 11th and is from 5-8pm at 503 Main Street. Come and see how the mural is progressing and meet the Artist. It is sure to be a delightful evening! We are working on creating mural stickers that we can give out to everyone!

I would also like to give a huge shout out to some of our community partners who were an integral part in bringing this project to life. As much as we hoped our grant would cover the cost, we knew our artist Brian was settling for less than what a 75’ mural normally costs. So we took to the streets and asked every vendor what they could contribute. The local Oregon City Sherwin Williams store is supplying 100% of the paint and sealer, Cyrus from Party Events gave us our safety cones and signs, and Pioneer Rental is giving us a substantial discount on the scissor lift needed. I am humbled and honored to be a part of such a giving and supportive community. I know all my future paint will be purchased from Sherwin Williams on Beavercreek Road in Oregon City – Hope you do the same!

New Mural in Oregon City to be Presented before the Oregon City Art Commission!

Community Support
A Tribal Art Piece Depicting the Story of how Coyote and Meadowlark Created Willamette Falls

On Thursday May 19th, the Three Rivers Artist Guild with Confederated Tribal artist, Brian Krehbiel will be presenting a potential mural for final approval to the Oregon City Art Commission. The project is funded by the Metro Enhancement grant that TRAG received in 2021. The Art Commission meeting starts at 7 but the mural presentation will start about 7:30-7:45. Tamara Scott, president of TRAG will also be giving a presentation beforehand regarding the Guild and potentially how the Art Commission can support TRAG. The mural presentation will follow immediately after. 

The mural is planned for the side of White Rabbit Black Ink on the corner of 99 and Main in Oregon City. The artist, Brian Krehbiel, is a Confederated tribe member and will be depicting the tribal story of how Coyote and Meadowlark created Willamette Falls. It will cover a space of approximately 75′ x 19′ and is in the artistic genre of Tribal art. 

We are especially excited that Brian will start off the presentation before the Art Commission with a tribal song. If approved, the mural will begin on June 1st. Brian will also be starting the actual painting of the mural with a ceremonious tribal blessing song that day.

The public is welcome at all commission meetings either by Zoom or in person at the City Hall building at 625 Center Street in Oregon City. If you would like to attend by zoom, please contact Dan Gering at dgering@orcity.org for the zoom link. The Agenda can be found on the City website at  https://meetings.municode.com/adaHtmlDocument/index?cc=OREGONCITY&me=73673237b9124664a790d047658a9813&ip=True. 

“Friends on a Shelf” Mural Installation at the Friends of the OC Library Used Bookstore

Community Support

Excitement for the “Friends On a Shelf” mural is growing in the community. This is definitely a project that has included the community from the beginning in asking for mural concepts. We are now asking for “letters of support” from community members and especially the Arts Community. Please take a few minutes to sign the letter and show your support.

Your support is very much appreciated!

Lynda Orzen
President, Friends of the Oregon City Public Library

Please Sign the Letter of Support

We are encouraged by the amount of community outreach that has gone into the proposed mural. This project began with the Friends of the Library asking for concepts, “what does the bookstore mean to you, how would you like to see that conveyed in a mural”. The artist, Lucas Nickerson is a member of the Three Rivers Artist Guild and has shown his work extensively. The community will benefit greatly with this wonderful piece of artwork.

I fully support the installation of the mural “Friends on a Shelf” on the Friends of the Library Used Bookstore. The mural will be a wonderful addition to the existing Open Air Art Gallery along 7th street. It will bring joy and beckon visitors to come inside and explore and encourage others to visit our community.

TRAG Donates $1000 to the Children’s Center

Community Support

TRAG’s mission statement is: “We are a welcoming and inclusive organization providing mutual support, encouragement, services, and education for the enrichment of artists and their communities”. In accordance with our mission statement, each year TRAG’s budget includes a donation amount to go towards the support and education of art in our community. In years past, TRAG has given money to the Oregon City School district with the request that it be used towards the arts. This year the TRAG board chose the Children’s Center in Oregon City.

The Children’s Center’s motto is “A place where healing begins”. It strives to work with the community to end child abuse and neglect through assessment, treatment, and prevention. Art therapy is often a tool that is used by the Center, and TRAG requested that the $1000 donation be used for this program if possible.

TRAG dropped off the check to the Children’s Center on December 14th. Executive Director Karen Rush later let TRAG know that the Art Therapist was “ecstatic” to be able to spend this donation for art supplies in the coming year. Karen has promised TRAG future pictures and a report on how our donation was used. TRAG was also honored at both the Chamber of Commerce meeting and the Oregon City Rotary Club meeting on December 15th for our generous donation.

In this season of giving, I am deeply grateful that TRAG was able to support such a deserving non-profit organization that makes a profound difference in children’s lives.

Trieste Andrews
President

Do You Know That by Donating to the Arts in Oregon, You Can Double Your Donation for Free?

Community Support

So many of our cultural organizations, including the Three Rivers Artist Guild, have been hit especially hard by the pandemic – there has never been a more important time for Oregonians to support arts and culture through the cultural tax credit.

If you donated to any arts, heritage or humanities nonprofits in Oregon this year, you can double your impact for FREE through the Oregon Cultural Trust tax credit.

Here’s how:

  1. Total the amount you gave to the non-profits on the list found through the Oregon Cultural Trust site at https://culturaltrust.org/. The Three Rivers Artists Guild is on this list
  2. Give a matching amount to the Cultural Trust at https://appengine.egov.com/apps/or/oct/donationpayment or by mail by December 31st. to Oregon Cultural Trust, 775 Summer Street NE, Suite 200 Salem, OR 97301
  3. On your State Tax Form, report your gift to the Oregon Cultural Trust and you will get 100% back!

Trieste Andrews
President

Trolley Car Mural – Fully Restored!

Community Support
And the mural restoration of the Trolley car at Don Pepe’s Restaurant at 705 Main Street is finished! Through rain, wind, sun and heat, Cathy Rowe, lead muralist and TRAG member, toiled on from September 13th to October 11th and the final results are breathtaking. What was once a dilapidated cracked and indistinguishable mural originated in 1992, is now a vibrant display of colors that beg to be seen as people go about their business on Oregon City’s busy Main Street.

The restoration of the Trolley car on Main Street was the kick off event for murals once again in Oregon City. The project was financed by TRAG through Oregon City’s Metro Enhancement grant. The outstanding funding will be used for a future brand new mural at a location to be announced towards the spring/summer of 2022. Look for murals coming to Oregon City with Friends of the Library, Live Edge Salon, and White Rabbit Black Ink – to name a few. Art and culture is alive and well in Oregon City! Thank you Cathy and Oregon City for ushering us in to this momentous time.

Restoration of the Trolley Car Mural at 705 Main Street Has Begun!

Community Support

On September 20th, TRAG’s own Cathy Rowe began work on the Trolley Car Restoration. The Mural is located at 705 Main Street under Don Pepe’s restaurant. A kick of event took place on September 25th for the public. Tables and chairs were set up across the street at Edward Jones and the Bridgewater Beer and Wine Supply. Don Pepe’s offered complimentary chips and salsa as the public had a chance to take a seat and enjoy the progress. Lots of smiles and conversations as we all watched Cathy and enjoyed the views!

More news on new potential murals will be announced in the coming months.

To see a newsclip that aired on Friday September 24th about the mural restoration and featured Cathy Rowe the muralist, and Trieste Andrews president of TRAG, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuHu368AAks.

Oregon City Announces the New Art Commission!

Community Support

Mayor Rachel Lyles Smith with Commissioner Rocky Smith has selected an Art Commission for Oregon City. The official announcement and appointments were presented at the City Commissioner meeting on Thursday evening September 15th. This is an important and exciting step In Oregon City’s focus to bring Arts and Culture to the forefront in Oregon City’s vision for the future.

Trieste Andrews from TRAG was appointed a 3-year position. 8 additional members include representation from 6 local art organizations plus two citizen appointees completing the 9-member commission.

More to come in TRAG’s news as the new Art Commission begins its mission to integrate art and culture into Oregon City.

The following appointees comprise the Oregon City Art Commission:

Emma Lugo 1 year
Mary Andrus 1 year
Josh Planton 1 year (Citizen Rep)
Jenn Woodward 2 year
Selena Jones 2 year
Tammy Jo Wilson 2 year
Karen Buerhig 3 year (Citizen Rep)
Tima Carlson 3 year
Trieste Andrews 3 year

Who said watching paint dry was boring!

Community Support

Join Oregon City on Saturday, September 25 from 11 am till 4 pm.

Murals are once again allowed in Oregon City. The first project to take place is the restoration of the historic mural “First Trolley” at 705 Main Street above the Don Pepe’s restaurant. The project will take place from September 20th to October 2nd.

On Saturday September 25th there will be a viewing event from 11-4. Tables and chairs will be set up for viewing while you munch on chips and salsa from Don Pepe’s restaurant. Please feel free to order a yummy Mexican dinner to go after the project.

The mural of the “First Trolley” was created by artist Larry Kangas in 1992. The building was originally constructed in 1908 and has held the OK Barber Shop and later a confectionery store. It is one of the few remaining wood frame buildings on Main Street.

The mural is a depiction of one of the first trolleys on Oregon City’s Main Street. The face of the conductor in the front of the trolley is that of businessman Urb Arbour, then owner of the building.

Plans for an Oregon City Arts Center

Community Support

A potential site is currently being discussed as a possible Art cultural center in Oregon City. TRAG has been invited to join Art in Oregon and the Clackamas County Historical Society to review the possibility of transforming the Stevens Crawford House into an Art Center.

The Stevens Crawford House is one of the largest historical houses open to the public in Oregon City. It sits at the corner of Washington and 6th Street across from the Pioneer Community Center and has unlimited potential for a possible gallery, event space, and artists’ residencies. Although talks are only in the beginning stages, it is an exciting opportunity for Oregon City.

More to come as TRAG explores the possibilities of this space with Art in Oregon and the Clackamas County Historical Society.

—
Trieste Andrews

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