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. 

Spring Fling 2022 Review

Spring Fling Art Festival, Events Organized by TRAG

By Lynda Orzen, Spring Fling Coordinator

The weather wasn’t the best for our 2-day art event but still had quite a few visitors. Having smaller crowds meant visitors had more time to talk with artists. We had to bring in our artists that were going to set up outside, making for cozier conditions inside. Soul Flags kept the little ones busy making Mother’s Day cards.

A huge Thank You to Rose Holden for inviting us to use her facility for our art event!

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Tie dye and learn to garden with beneficial insects!

Workshops and Classes

During this workshop we will learn all about the good insects in your garden and how to encourage their presence. We know about how great ladybugs and praying mantids are, but did you know there are many more awesome insects out there that can help eat those pesky caterpillars and aphids? Students will also receive several handouts that contain helpful resources and information on beneficial insects and pollinators.

Then we will tie dye! There will be PLENTY of vibrant colors available, and we will have several different tie dye styles that students can choose.  Bandanas will be provided, and if students would like to decorate an additional item they are welcome to bring a piece of cotton clothing that has been washed.

Cost: $50

Date and time: 6:30-8pm
Wednesday June 8th

This class is for ages 6 and up

Please visit this site to signup:
https://www.artomaddic.com/events

About the instructor: Heather Andrews is a research entomologist at Oregon State University.  She works at a university extension office in Aurora where she studies growing practices in orchard crops that minimize their negative impact on the environment while maximizing yield.  In her free time Heather makes jewelry, draws and also plays the harp.

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Learn about maternal insects and make a necklace and card for Mother’s Day

Workshops and Classes

Let’s celebrate Mother’s Day! Mothers are very important to humans, as well as some insects. From earwigs to carrion beetles, there are several species of insects that are great mothers.  Did you know that tsetse flies produce milk that they feed to their babies???  You’ll learn all about these fascinating critters and more during this class!  Then will get to make a beautiful necklace from all natural beetle wings and a card for the special mother in your life 🤗🦋💕


Date and time: Tuesday May 3rd 5:30-7:30pm

Cost of class: $50

Open to ages 6 and up 

Please follow this link for additional information, and to signup: https://www.artomaddic.com/events

Decorate a native bee house and start your own mason bee colony!

Workshops and Classes

Bees play essential roles in maintaining a balanced ecosystem, and are important for pollinating all kinds of plants. But did you know that we have over 4,000 native bees right here in North America, and that many species nest in the ground or plant stems? Join us for a fun-filled afternoon with artist/entomologist Heather Andrews learning about these diverse and fascinating insects. 

We’ll start out the class with a lesson on the different types of native bees here in the Willamette Valley, and the various kinds of habitat they need. Then we will decorate mason bee houses.

Students will also receive:

  • Several mason bee cocoons to start their own colony
  • Seed packets to plant native flowers in their yard
  • A coloring book with recipes and plenty of information on native bees
  • A poster with the different native bees found right here in Oregon

This class will be offered at two different locations on different dates. The format for both classes will be identical, but the mason bee houses are slightly different styles. These classes are open to ages 6 and up.

Blue Pine Gallery
Date and time: March 19 th , 1-3pm
Cost: $50
Location: 761 NW 12 th ST., Gresham, OR 97030
Register: bluepinegallery.com

Art-O-Maddic
Date and time: March 22 nd , 5:30-7:30pm
Cost: $60
Location: 181 N Grant St., Suite 107, Canby, OR 97013
Register: https://www.artomaddic.com/bird-house-class-8/newpage1a29a4f3

About the instructor: Heather Andrews is a research entomologist at Oregon State University.  She works at a university extension office in Aurora where she studies growing practices in orchard crops that minimize their negative impact on the environment while maximizing yield.  In her free time Heather makes jewelry, draws and also plays the harp.

“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.

Artist Resilience Program to provide $1.5 million for Oregon artists

Artist Opportunities

Announcing a second round of relief funding for artists:
Artist Resilience Program to provide $1.5 million for Oregon artists

The application is now live for the Artist Resilience Program, a second round of relief funding for Oregon artists offered by the Oregon Arts Commission in partnership with the Oregon Community Foundation and the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation. The partnership, which began with 2020’s Artist Relief Program, invests another $1.5 million in support for artists’ recovery from the pandemic. 

Awards will generally range from $1,000 to $5,000 and will be determined by a peer review panel. A geographic distribution model will ensure that applicants from across Oregon are supported. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 10.

“We are incredibly grateful to Oregon Community Foundation and the Miller Foundation for their dedication to helping us sustain our artists through these difficult times,” said Brian Rogers, executive director of the Oregon Arts Commission. “In reaching Oregon’s artists, we know we are not only supporting these individuals financially, but also enabling them to continue their creative careers and enliven the cultural environments of Oregon.” 

The purpose of the Artist Resilience Program is to provide relief funding to Oregon artists who have experienced financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic due to cancellations of exhibitions, performances, rehearsals or other activities with a stipend, events, teaching opportunities, book signings or other professional presentation opportunities. Guidelines are now posted on the Arts Commission website.

“In times of crisis, artists help us make sense of our world and stay connected to one another,” said Martha Richards, executive director of the Miller Foundation. “The Miller Foundation stands with Oregon artists in this difficult time because we recognize the critical roles they play in our communities and our lives – they are the foundation of our state’s arts ecosystem.”

“Oregon Community Foundation is thrilled to be a partner in this second wave of support for artists,” added Jerry Tischleder, Oregon Community Foundation’s program officer for arts and culture. “We recognize that independent and freelance artists are vital to the recovery of our communities, bringing hope and inspiration to the world while using their creativity to help process the collective trauma, grief and loss we’ve all experienced in these unprecedented times.”  

The program supports professional artists from specific disciplines who have experienced or anticipate experiencing loss of revenue of $1,000 or more between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2021.

The artistic disciplines supported are: literature (creative non-fiction, fiction, play writing and poetry); dance (including choreography); music (composition and music performance); theatre and performance art; visual arts (crafts, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media and new media); design arts; folk & traditional arts; and media arts.

Artists from underserved communities, including (but not limited to) rural communities and communities of color, as well as artists with disabilities, are especially encouraged to apply.

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The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, funding and arts programs through its grants, special initiatives and services. Nine commissioners, appointed by the Governor, determine arts needs and establish policies for public support of the arts. The Arts Commission became part of Business Oregon (formerly Oregon Economic and Community Development Department) in 1993, in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities. In 2003, the Oregon legislature moved the operations of the Oregon Cultural Trust to the Arts Commission, streamlining operations and making use of the Commission’s expertise in grantmaking, arts and cultural information and community cultural development.  

The Arts Commission is supported with general funds appropriated by the Oregon legislature and with federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust. More information about the Oregon Arts Commission is available online at: www.oregonartscommission.org.

2021 Holiday Show

Events Organized by TRAG, Holiday Art Show & Sale

by Lynda Orzen, Holiday Show Coordinator

I am going to claim the 2021 Holiday Show a success. We didn’t have as many artists participating but shoppers still had a huge variety of artwork to choose from. I know I did a lot of shopping during the weekend! Shoppers were so happy to be able to able to shop in person-finally! Heard lots of comments about the wealth of artwork and the organization of the event.

Tried to take some photos of the event but I’m definitely not a photographer. Unfortunately our photographer, Ingrid Aubry was recuperating from a broken hip. Happy to say, she is recuperating quite well!

Want to thank volunteers and organizers for pitching in to make this a wonderful event!

Happy New Years Artists and a New Year of creating art!

Lynda Orzen

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

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