Home for the holiday, Debbie Mills Hoopes, returns to Oakridge to share her gift: Postponed exhibit after summer wildfires is December 4th

by JANET HANSEN/For The Herald — Friendships made in Oakridge last a lifetime, especially those made in childhood. There’s a bond of trust and respect rarely broken.  For a couple of women who grew up together as family friends in the heart of the timbered empire, it’s not a stretch to say their individual creative streaks were fueled by nature, not culture.

Debbie (Mills) Hoopes (pronounced hoops) is the featured artist in the first art exhibit hosted by Boho Chateau, Saturday December 4 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. at 48319 E. 1^st Street.

This exhibit was postponed and rescheduled due to the wildfires surrounding Oakridge last August. But what better time to reschedule than during the holiday season when everyone is shopping and hearts are full of hope.

Hoopes, who resides in Cottage Grove, is a mixed media and impressionistic painter whose work mirrors the essence of rural Oregon with a contemporary feel. Motifs of horses, trees, flowers, and women in vibrant colors and earth tones run through Hoopes paintings. Her work has been featured in shops and art walks in Cottage Grove and throughout the Willamette Valley under her business name, The Rusty Chandelier.

Debbie grew up with Boho Chateau’s principal, Janet (Stout) Hansen. Hansen’s parents, Jim and Jeanie Stout, moved to Oakridge from Newport, Oregon in 1958. At the time, Hoopes’ parents, John and Mary Mills lived on Y Drive next door to Claire Crook, a popular elementary teacher.

“My mother confirmed the Mills family was the first we met when we moved to Oakridge directly across the street from them,” Hansen said.

Both families later moved outside the city limits. The Mills moved to High Prairie and the Stouts to McFarland Road. Living in the country meant riding horses across the Prairie and old ranches where housing developments now stand along Mountain View and Elk Meadows.

While listening to someone explain to Ms. Hoopes where they live on High Prairie, Debbie replied, “I know exactly where you live. I rode my horse through the woods there for years.”

“Debbie has always had a distinct artistic flair,” says Hansen. “Physically beautiful, we always thought she’d become a model with her height, and chiseled features. It was obvious growing up she had something special to offer the world and I’m thrilled to finally host this first exhibit. That it’s Debbie’s work gives it special meaning.”

Debbie and Janet attended Oakridge schools, overlapping the largest part of their education with Hoopes graduating from Oakridge High School in 1972 and Hansen in 1975.

“Boho Chateau is becoming a hub for longtime friends to reconnect in ways we’re not able to in other communities,” Hansen says. “This is our home, and we all love being here whether permanently or for visits. These bonds of friendship are among the most valuable things we have, and we recognize how lucky we are to have such wonderful relationships.” Ms. Hoopes’ exhibit coincides with:

• The Sugar Plum Festival, Oakridge Elementary Dec. 4, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Dec. 5 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• First Street Holiday Market at the Oakridge Museum Dec. 3 and 4, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Come enjoy all the festivities Uptown and celebrate an Oakridge artist’s accomplishments and work. You can follow Deborah Hoopes on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/deborah.hoopes.3 Feel free to follow Boho Chateau on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/boho.chateau, and InstaGram instagram.com/bohochateaullc/. You’re also welcome to call Boho Chateau at 615.390.1401.