See you in September: 1st Friday Art Walk kicks off Labor Day weekend uptown Oakridge

By JANET HANSEN  —  You can feel it in the air. Fall is on its way and Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end of summer as school begins, vacations are over, and the mornings and evenings are a little crisper. Come uptown and hang out in our galleries with local artists, refreshments of all sorts, and potentially some live music.

Art is a short walk up and down 1st Street

Five uptown businesses are highlighted in 1^st Friday Art Walk September 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. Local art (for the most part) is featured in Art Works, Boho Chateau, Mane Street Coffee, 3 Legged Crane Brewhouse and Pub, and the lobby of the Uptown Building. Stay uptown as long as you like enjoying the walking neighborhood while enjoying great food and beverages, and browsing each business. We’ll be there until 7:00 p.m. at least.

Potter, Mindy Shoosmith is the featured artist at Boho Chateau, and Rebel Wilder is featured all of September at Mane Street Coffee. Mindy is known for creating trays for fresh eggs straight from the coop. Plates, cups, and bowls are beautifully glazed in earthy and evocative color. Rebel is wildly talented in a variety of mediums. Gems and stones make up a great deal of her work, as well as photography and natural ingredient soaps. She has several items in Boho Chateau, though her art is featured at Mane Street Coffee.

A variety of local artists work can also be found in Boho Chateau, including Kathy Ariosa, Mike Barratt, Debbie Mills Hoopes, Karen Ann, Sharon Carlton, Jennifer Groza Deiner, Michelle Slaven, Jessica Atkins, Jerry Skordahl, Ginger Knapp, and Lisa Nassan.

Art Works has a well-curated collection in various mediums including mandalas, pottery, jewelry, textiles, glass, and sand casting. Owner, Toni Wassenberg has created a fresh modern feel to the gallery where she hosts different demonstrations frequently.

There’s always art in “The Crane”

3 Legged Crane Brewhouse and Pub has a permanent display of photographer Krys Carter’s work. Carter focuses on natural land and riverscapes as well as large color photos of nature. Keenan Rae Olson has a wonderful display of colorful and whimsical pieces with a nod to the mystic.

The Uptown Building will have Oakridge Art Council artist Barbara Council-Burney painting and displaying her work in the reception hallway. Another OAC member, Local woodcrafter Robert Woodson, will be displaying some of his  fine wood pieces there as well. Other artists, yet to be confirmed, are likely to be there as well.

Hit the farmer’s market before you walk

Just prior to 1^st Friday Art Walk from 3 to 6 p.m. check out Westfir Oakridge Local Food Hub, our community’s first Farmer’s Market. Beautiful produce and herbs from local farms and gardens along with baked goods from Wild Rye Bake Shop are featured booths on the east side of the Methodist Church.

Not to be missed are the following neighboring businesses: The Corner Bar, and Deep Woods Distillery. We support local business and hope you’ll join all of us.

Directions to the uptown district: From Highway 58, turn north at the stoplight by Ray’s Market onto Crestview, then right onto East 1st Street.