Oakridge Art Council: Art is in the air

By SISSY CUTCHEN/For The Herald — I am wondering how many people know about the Oakridge Art Council’s Weekend Gallery? The gallery, operated by the Oakridge Art Council (AOC) is nestled into the old Pope and Talbot office building at the corner of Hwy 58 and Industrial Park Way.

The gallery’s inside walls have already been filled, despite having only opened a few months ago, to create exposure for Oakridge/Westfir area artists and artisans. Rapidly, the concept is developing layers. Yes, we exhibit and sell artwork, but we are also a learning center, a gathering place, and an artists’ hang out. We feel this type of environment is what makes it an even richer experience for all.

Last Sunday I enjoyed an “artists’ salon” experience. Historically, The “Salon” was the premier place to exhibit artwork in Paris, France, from all the very best artists. Now there is a different meaning. It is now where artists come together to do and talk about artist things. It is essentially a good old rap session.

Last weekend, we talked about topics that help artists to grow. We talked about how we need to experiment with our work and how taking a break can bring inspiration. We also talked about donating to fundraisers as a way to get into important collections. I just kept painting away while we talked, which is a whole other thing we are doing at the gallery.

I came to this amazing community of artists here in Oakridge from the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, Virginia, https://torpedofactory.org. There, artists would work on pieces while visitors could walk through and observe the artists at work.

Sometimes our artists will do this here, in the Art Council’s Weekend Gallery.

Regardless of whether artists are in the Center working on their art, please come see our work. The Oakridge Art Council’s Weekend Gallery is open noon to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday during the holiday season. Hours could likely increase in the future as more volunteers join us.

The Gallery is attended to, and maintained religiously, by Rene and Kevin Gobelman. They who do all the heavy lifting. This is nothing short of magnificent. As any business owner will tell you, it is all about showing up and keeping the doors open. Artists will pop in and out throughout the day, as do some of the volunteers. We often have refreshments available, as well.

Now the gallery has been established and decorated with works hanging on the walls and other works of art displayed throughout, the Council is starting to focus on developing a marketing plan to attract more visitors.

Art as a destination

Once, I read an article which said something about Oakridge being a destination for mountain biking. Oakridge, with its extraordinary system of trails, has certainly become a destination for mountain bikers from around the world. However, there have been no such articles recognizing the community of artists we have here in the Oakridge and Westfir areas.

For me, I took this observation as a challenge. Art has done so much for many towns in our country and around the world. As an artist, I want customers, but I also want the community to see and enjoy the exhibits each artist has worked so hard to create. I want everyone to feel the art in the air here. It is exciting to know that art can create many opportunities.

The idea that a piece of Oakridge or Westfir artwork could hang in a home here, or even travel to a new and distant place, is exciting because it shows such an amazing side of our community to the world.

All artists and artisans are invited to join us at the Oakridge Art Council’s Weekend Gallery. You may contact Rene Gobelman @ 541-606-8483 for more information.

Sissy Cutchen is a Contemporary American Folk artist. You can see here work on her website https://Sissysfolkart.com.