Crossroads Art Center Newsletter

Summer, 2007

Eastern Oregon Regional Theatre Update

by Cindy (Vergari) Hutton, Vice Chair, EORT

We are so excited about preparing to enter into our 6th season of productions starting in August 2007! Our 5th year (2006/2007) has been a busy one. We brought five shows to our community including a deliciously crafted dinner theatre with the chef talents of May Heriza! In addition, we took two additional performances of “Sylvia” on the road to the lovely re-opened Elgin Opera House in February.

As I write this, we are currently wrapping up the last 3 performances of “Social Climbers” our final show of the 2006-2007 season. We are so extremely grateful to those who have supported us by attending our shows, joining as members, (we are our own non-profit organization and do not get financial support) and helping with other endless tasks that help us keep breathing.

We can certainly use your continued support as we launch into our new season, and if you are interested in becoming a member, or helping us by volunteering in some other way, please contact our office at 524-9282 or visit us on the web at www.eortonline.org.

Our 2007/2008 season will present…

Two Gentlemen of Verona
(Shakespeare on the Lawn) - August 16-19 and August 23-26 2007;

Diary of Anne Frank – November 2-4 and November 9-11, 2007;

Laundry and Bourbon (Dinner Theatre) - January 11 & 12 and January 18, 19 & 20, 2008;

Children’s Theatre, an original play by Abby Dennis, touring in March 2008

and finally;

Quilters (a musical, our first!) – May 16, 17, & 18 and May 23, 24 & 25

See you under the lights!

For more info: Call Eastern Oregon Regional Theatre at (541) 524-9282.

OPEN PAINTING STUDIO

This open studio welcomes all media and all skill levels, without formal instruction. Paint or draw with others; share knowledge, skills and experience; and offer and receive positive feedback.

Bring your own supplies. Age 18 and over.

Each Thursday (except holidays) Noon to 3 p.m. Only $5/month.

ART AT THE CROSSROADS

The 9th Annual Art at the Crossroads Regional Juried Show is being co-chaired by Kathy Blank and Sandy Hofferber. They are asking anyone with an interest in helping with this show to please contact Kathy at 524-1774. The call for art to over 300 artists in the region will be in the mail soon. We will have live music, delectable desserts, wine, coffee and punch.

The artist’s entry fee for three art pieces is $15 which includes one free ticket for the evening.

Tickets for this event are $5 at the door on First Friday, the 7th of September or two weeks in advance at Crossroads Art Center, 1901 Main Street, Baker City OR.

Our judge this year is Judd Koehn who is a retired art professor from Easter Oregon University. He is known for his unusual sculptures.

He will be awarding 1st –place prize money and honorable mention ribbons.

This show is open to all artists, 18 years of age or older who are creating original two- and three-dimensional art.

If you do not receive a call for art, please come into Crossroads for an entry form or call us at 523-5369 to put your name on our mailing list.

VOLUNTEER PROFILE

MARIAN & JOHN BROWN

Theater at Crossroads Art Center is the common interest that brought Marian and John Brown together in 1972. They became friends after taking an acting class offered by Crossroads Art Center. John was a volunteer at Crossroads and helped out whenever there was no one on duty. He mopped floors, washed windows and answered the phone. On one project, he knocked out some walls to create a larger space for children’s theater downstairs at the Carnegie building. It turned out to be too much of a project for him and after he accidentally cut the phone wire a volunteer carpenter finished the job.

Marian was the self-appointed assistant to Director Andrea Vollmer. She recalled walking up and down Main Street in Baker City with Andrea soliciting business memberships and helping with whatever needed to be done. It was around this time that Art in the Park came about.

John was born and raised in Syracuse, New York and moved west in 1950 and has had no desire to return to the East Coast. Marian lived in Baker from 1947 to 1954. She moved away but returned in 1970.

Some of the plays John and Marian reminisced about performing were “Barefoot in the Park”, “Dark of the Moon”, “The Odd Couple”, “Alice in Wonderland” and “Auntie Mame”. During “Auntie Mame” the props—replica of the Matterhorn—and sound effects—a horse stable—were so authentic the audience was tricked into believing someone had fallen off the mountain and that there was a live horse behind the stage. The Crossroads Players were responsible for keeping Crossroads alive during the period when the organization left the Carnegie building and had no physical presence in town. All members of the theater made their own costumes, designed and built the sets and no one was paid. All monies earned were for Crossroads. The group benefited from John’s job with Ellingson Lumber Company where he could procure specials on lumber and other supplies. Performances were given at the Basche-Sage Mall and at our current location on Main Street. Since 1980, John and Marian also taught ballroom dancing through Crossroads.

When asked about the role of Crossroads in the community, they both agreed it is a wonderful opportunity for volunteering. One can do as much or as little as they want. They encourage more young people to get involved. It looks good on the resume’ and for the job seeking. Volunteering can often be the one thing that sets a person apart from all others for grants, etc.

Marian worked as a bookkeeper before she experienced eye problems of double vision and being legally blind. In order to get around on her own, she began riding a bicycle. John bought her a new bike, after they were married. She often used the bike to get to and from Crossroads and to the various jobs she worked at around town. Marian feels it is now time to give up her bike. Rather than sell it at a yard sale, she has donated it to Crossroads Art Center to be auctioned at our next fundraiser in October. This is a nice three-speed bike with saddlebag baskets on the rear. The memories are no charge.

We are looking for someone to spruce up the bicycle. It has one new tire and is in excellent shape. It just needs a little TLC before the auction. Contact Jan at 523-5369, if you can help.

Thank you, Marian and John, for all your hours volunteering and for sharing your art interests with us. It will be an exciting day when we once again occupy the Carnegie and theater will be just one of the many attractions. - Jan Kirby, Director

WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP

On June 16 from 9—3 PM, Bill McCusker from Nampa, Idaho, will give a watercolor workshop. Terri Axness has graciously agreed to lend us her studio for this class. There is still time to sign up for this opportunity to learn from an outstanding artist. The fees are $60 for members; $65 for non-members. Bring a sack lunch as there will be a break from noon to 1 PM. Call 523-5369 to sign up, directions to Terri’s studio in Haines or for more information.

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD CHAIR

Crossroads continues its mission to provide a cultural center for our community. Our new mission statement is: To create opportunities for the entire community to be engaged, inspired, and transformed by the arts through participation in classes, workshops, exhibits, mentor ships, and partnerships – A welcoming place where people meet and the arts speak.

We are very proud of the many classes and opportunities to experience the arts that Crossroads offers all ages. In addition to traditional art classes such as our Young Artist Studio, and Watercolor and Oil Painting classes, Crossroads offers a variety of dance classes including line dancing, ballet and folk dancing. Fencing and Yoga are also very popular. Crossroads also sponsors weekend workshops for specific community requests. Marcie Cook offered an oil painting workshop in May and Bill McCusker, a watercolorist from Idaho will be here in June. A special note of thanks to the many wonderful teachers who share their talents and make Crossroads’ programs a success.

First Fridays and our special events provide Baker City with an opportunity to share the wonderful works of the many artists of our community. Staci Golar’s black and white photos of people and places in Baker city gave everyone an opportunity to step back in time. The Red Show in April was a huge success with creative and expansive uses of red by over 40 entries. The student show in March gave everyone the opportunity to see the works of the talented youth of our community and June 1, Mary Sue Rightmire sold out her latest works for the garden. We are excited about all of the shows planned for the coming year. Be sure to attend.

Thank you to the gallery committee for all their efforts to make the gallery successful. They are adding new artists frequently and offer a wonderful collection of fine art and crafts for sale. Recently, they have added a glass artist from The Dalles, OR, Andy Nichols. Come in to see his glass salmon and the many other beautiful works available in our gallery. You will find that perfect gift.

The Carnegie Building is beautiful. The floors upstairs have been refinished and Jeff Givens has done a beautiful job of recreating moldings to match the original. The coffered ceilings have been plastered and moldings replaced. The building will be a tribute to the arts and cultural center for our community. It will allow Crossroads to expand its programs and provide so much more to our community.

Crossroads will be open to welcome the motorcyclists coming to Baker City for the Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally June 8-11. Thanks to Tom Novak for designing a T-shirt for Crossroads for the rally. We will also have baked and snack items for sale. Visit us at our booth, pick up your original Tom Novak t-shirt and see all the new art in the gallery.

Our annual business drive will begin in June. A heartfelt thank you to all the members and business members who support Crossroads. Without our benefactors, Crossroads could not exist. Also thank you to the many volunteers who are the heart and soul of Crossroads. Together we can meet our mission and continue to provide Baker County with an opportunity to experience the arts.

Art is for everyone and as we continue making plans for our future and for the arts in Baker County, is there something you would like to see happen at Crossroads? Crossroads is whatever its members design. We appreciate your input and would love to hear from you.

Terri Axness,

Board Chair

Why are these two smiling?

John Kirby and Marcia Cook won prizes at the recent Pendleton Center for the Arts Regional Juried Show. John was awarded “Best Watercolor” and Marcia received a “Judge’s Honorable Mention” for her oil painting. Both artists are former students of Paul Hoelscher.

The awards were made by inmates at the Eastern Oregon Correction Institute and were works of art in their own right.

Come into Crossroads to see the awards and art pieces now hanging in the Gallery.

APRIL THEME SHOW “RED”

Our annual theme show this year was the color “RED”. We attracted forty entries, over 100 pieces of art and approximately 125 visitors at our First Friday Opening Reception. The gallery committee was faced with more art to hang than any preceding year. For the first time, the show art extended into the gallery space. Pictured below are our three People’s Choice award winners.

	1st Place - "Bedazzle" Linda Peterson
	2nd Place - "Roses on Fence" Ann Eriksmoen
	3rd Place - "Monterey Bay" James Morris
	Violet Clay, Ann Eriksmoen, and Nanci Sheppard - Gallery Committee members - volunteered as shopkeepers for the "RED" show.

ART IN THE PARK
JULY 20-22, 2007

Booths for art and originally crafted items are available for the “Art in the Park” taking place July 20-22, 2007, at the Geiser Pollman Park. Nanci Sheppard, Ann Eriksmoen, Mary Sue Rightmire and Marcie Cook are the members of the committee responsible for bringing back the OLD “Art in the Park.”

A reduced price of $50 per space is available to current Crossroads members. Booth setup will begin Friday morning, July 20th. Booths will be open Friday until 8 PM, Saturday 9 AM—8 PM, and Sunday 10 AM to 4 PM. For any questions or more information, contact Namci Sheppard at 523-3467, Ann Eriksmoen at 523-4518 or Mary Sue Rightmire at 523-1024.

ANNUAL MEETING SET FOR JUNE 13

Wednesday, June 13, the Crossroads Art Center will hold its annual meeting at Crossroads, 1901 Main Street beginning at 6:30 PM. Annual reports by Chair Terri Axness and Treasurer Joan Jacobs are on the agenda. Board elections will be held during the meeting, which is open to all members. Ballots are enclosed with this newsletter. Please mail or drop them off at Crossroads at 1901 Main Street during our business hours: Monday through Saturday, 10– 5 p.m. Please call Jan at 523-5369 with questions.