Quick Takes: July 3, 2024

Published 3:00 am Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Celebrate heritage at the annual Pow Wow

MISSION — The 28th annual Pow Wow at Wildhorse Resort & Casino is set for July 5-7 and begins with grand entry at 7 p.m. Friday.

Events continue at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The host drum is Sharpshooter from St. Paul, Minnesota.

The three-day event features drumming, singing and dancing by contestants from the United States and Canada. Also, guests will find Native American artisans, vendors and food — including fry bread.

A bonus event is a free comedy show for ages 21 and older with Howie Miller on July 4. Doors open at 6 p.m. at the Rivers Event Center. Miller is a First Nation Descendent of the Cree Nation. He was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He’s been featured on Showtime, and numerous appearances on Canadian TV.

For additional information, visit wildhorseresort.com/2024_pow_wow.

‘Sip and Paint’ at the Josephy Center

JOSEPH — A “Sip and Paint” night is offered on the second Wednesday of each month at the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, 403 N. Main St. The next session is July 10.

The evening, for ages 21 and older, starts at 5:30 p.m. and includes sipping wine (or a beverage of choice) and painting abstracts with Cheryl Coughlan. This month’s focus is on pouring techniques. Attendees are welcome to bring beverages and snacks.

The class concludes with a group critique. Beginners are welcome. Cost is $35 — register at josephy.org.

Sumpter plans Renaissance Faire July 4-7

SUMPTER — Step back in time at Sumpter this weekend at the first Renaissance Faire, July 4-7. This new event will complement the flea market held traditionally over the Fourth of July weekend.

The Renaissance Faire is organized by the Sumpter Valley Community Volunteers and local merchants. John Young, who is helping plan the event, said the days will be full of costumed participants and music, as well as vendors for food and other items.

“The fans really get into this — they may come as knights, may come as peasants,” he said.

The hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. All activities will be centered around the downtown area. Frank Carlson will cap Saturday’s events with live music at 5 p.m.

“We just hope to have fun and see if we can build it up,” Young said.

The Sumpter Valley Community Volunteers maintain the mining exhibit near town, serve a community breakfast for a local off-road club, support the annual Thanksgiving dinner, and are now maintaining a community center at the church that was formerly St. Brigid’s in the Pines. To support these projects, the group sells hot dogs, bratwurst and burgers during each of the three flea markets in Sumpter — Memorial Day weekend, Fourth of July and Labor Day weekend.

Check out classes at the art center

BAKER CITY — Lonnie Shurtleff will lead a six-week beginning guitar workshop this summer at Crossroads Carnegie Art Center, 2020 Auburn Ave. Sessions meet at noon on Fridays from July 5 to Aug. 9. All skill levels are welcome. The cost is $126 for Crossroads members or $156 nonmembers. Another option is “pay what you can” — for details, visit the website, crossroads-arts.org.

Also, Ginger Rembold will lead a workshop in batik basics on Thursday, July 11, from 6-9 p.m. This introductory class, for ages 12 and older, involves the Indonesian and Indian art of batik, which combines a wax resist process, dye and fabric. Cost is $63 members, $78 nonmembers, or the pay-what-you-can option. For details, visit the website.

New classes start soon at arts center

PENDLETON — Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St., has several new classes starting soon. For details on cost, and to register, visit pendletonarts.org.

“Mastering the Art of Mosaics — Glass Edition” begins July 3 and meets Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. through July 31 (no class July 17).

“Teen Clay” is set for one week, July 8-12, from noon to 2 p.m. daily. Instructor Brian Purnell will oversee an open studio style. All levels are welcome.

“Discovering Drawing: A Youth Drawing Intensive” for ages 8-12 meets July 8-12 from noon to 2 p.m. daily. Instructor Alice Thomas will help students practice the principles of art and design.

Classes planned for young artists

JOSEPH, LOSTINE — Wallowa County is offering multiple opportunities for youngsters to work on art this summer.

A new abstract painting class for youth is set for July 10, 3-5 p.m. at the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, 403 N. Main St. Attendees will learn about painting abstracts with Cheryl Coughlan. This class is for ages 12-17, and cost is $35. Pre-registration is required at josephy.org or call the center, 541-432-0505.

In Lostine, the Southfork Grange has a schedule of free art workshops for school-age children from grades kindergarten through 12 (ages 9 and younger must be accompanied by a chaperone). Classes are limited to 15. Register at southforkgrange.com/book-online. Here is the schedule:

• July 11: Wool dyeing with June Colony at the grange, 1-3 p.m.
• July 22: Creating characters with Amy Fairchild at the grange, 1-3 p.m. Recommended for ages 6-12.
• July 23: Plein air painting with Dawn Norman at Wallowa City Park, 12:30-2 p.m.
• July 24: Beginning juggling and ball making with Tim Murphy at the grange, 1-3 p.m.

Park program highlights science, nature

HERMISTON — Science in the Park recently started up again in Hermiston. The free educational program is designed for families with children ages 4-8.

The sessions are each Tuesday through Aug. 6 at Victory Square Park, 150 SW 10th St. The program is presented in English at 9 a.m. and in Spanish at 10 a.m. No registration is required — just come and learn about science and nature.

For more information, search bit.ly/42vpgS0. For questions, call Hermiston Parks & Recreation at 541-667-5018.

Condon hosts artisan market, concert series

CONDON — The Condon Artisan Market & Summer Concerts is seeking vendors to join them during the 2024 season.

The events are July 6 and Aug. 3 in downtown Condon and Aug. 31 at the Gilliam County Fairgrounds. The markets run from 4-7 p.m. and the music cranks up from 6-9 p.m. For more information, search oregonfrontierchamber.com. For questions, call 541-384-7777.

Night Heron tunes up at Roy Raley Park

PENDLETON — Guitar jams and funk with retro-style synth-pop sounds are featured as Night Heron takes the stage during Wednesdays in the Park.

The free event is Wednesday, July 10, 6-8 p.m. at Roy Raley Park, 1205 SW Court Ave. Local food vendors and a beer/wine garden will be available.

The free concert series continues weekly through Aug. 21. For more information, search Facebook via bit.ly/4c3ha8X.

Calico Bones performs in Irrigon

IRRIGON —A sister duo will present flowing melodies and rhythmic instrumentals during Morrow County’s upcoming Music in the Parks.

Calico Bones will perform Monday, July 8, 7 p.m. at Irrigon Marina Park, 430 NE Eighth St.

Those planning to attend are encouraged to bring a picnic and a lawn chair. Admission is free.

The free summer concert series alternates each Monday between Irrigon and Boardman marina parks. For the full schedule, search www.facebook.com/boardman-irrigon.

Spend Sunday afternoon in the park

BAKER CITY — Barefoot and Bonafide, the duo of Marilyn Shollenberger and Lonnie Shurtleff, will play for the Powder River Music Revue on Sunday, July 7.

The music goes from 4-6 p.m. at the Powder River Pavilion in Geiser-Pollman Park — get there early to grab a bench, or bring a chair or blanket.

Admission is free, although the audience can support the concert by buying raffle tickets for prizes, such as gift cards donated by local businesses. Raffle tickets are $5 each or $20 for five.

Also, season memberships are available for $35.

Fox and Bones plays concert in Halfway

HALFWAY — Fox and Bones — the duo of Sarah Vitort and Scott Gilmore — will play the Main Street Stage on July 7 as part of a free summer concert series in Halfway.

The music starts at 7 p.m. The stage is adjacent to the Three Color Building.

Audience members are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and an extra layer for later in the evening.

The concert is sponsored by Cornucopia Arts Council with support from the Leo Adler Community Fund and Oregon Community Foundation. While admission is free, donations will be gratefully accepted.

Subsequent Main Street Stage concerts will feature Terry Robb on July 20; Kathryn Claire on July 27; Bad Penny Pleasuremakers on Aug. 3 and Greenman and the Martians on Aug. 16.

Additional concerts are in the works and may be added to the schedule.

Shows open July 5 at arts center

PENDLETON — New art shows open Friday, July 5, 5:30 p.m. at Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St. Nika Blasser will show “Vessels and Voids: Meeting Light Matter,” and Yasser Marte will display his photography in the Lorenzen Gallery.

Blasser’s cyanotypes exceed six feet in height.

“Cyanotypes are a historic photographic process named after their distinct color, using iron salts instead of silver salts, resulting in an iconic deep blue,” she said.

Another body of work, the “Saltwater Shadow Hands” series, consists of silhouettes cut out of paper covered in crystallized salt water.

Smaller cyanotypes, pigment drawings and mixed media works will also be featured.

These works focus on positive and negative spaces, the shape of shadows or absences, and abstractions created by bodies out of context.

A Pendleton resident, Blasser teaches art at Blue Mountain Community College, where she is also the director of the Betty Feves Memorial Gallery. She has exhibited widely and internationally and has been invited to several artist residency programs, ranging from Ucross in Wyoming to Tækker AIR Aarhus in Denmark.

Locally, she is involved with the Oregon East Symphony board, the City of Pendleton Arts Commission, and the Pendleton Cultural Foundation (Sister City Japanese Exchange) program.

Marte works as a photographer and reporter for the East Oregonian.

His displayed works will feature “visual notes of Pendleton” captured during the golden hour and twilight.

“There’s a lot of urban landscape — the quiet side of Pendleton,” he said.

Explore cowboy gear at new art exhibit

JOSEPH — The Josephy Center for Arts and Culture will open the exhibit “Cowboy Gear — Wallowa County Past and Present” on July 6, noon to 4 p.m. The collection highlights local artisans, both past and present, who created gear ranging from “intricate masterpieces to the most basic, rugged equipment made for hard use.”

Featured artisans are Slim Bronson, Tom Dorrance, Don Mallory, Harry Barlett, Barry Cox, Ray Wilson and Masterson Saddlery.

The show is curated by Cindy Sloan, a “lifelong horsewoman who is passionate about the roots and talent of Wallowa County horsemen.”

Barry Cox will share his history in saddle making and his wilderness adventures during a Tuesday Talk on July 9 at noon.

East End Rod & Gun Club First Shots

MILTON-FREEWATER — “There’s never been a better time to take your first shots,” say Milton-Freewater’s East End Rod & Gun Club members.

The club’s First Shots program is held the second Saturday of each month from June through October. Instruction starts at 8:30 a.m. and goes to noon. First Shots covers shooting with handguns only and is free of charge.

Located at 54752 Cemetery Road, the range is adequate for many types of shooting events and has a rifle range to 800 yards. The club motto: “Promoting the safe use of firearms and a safe place to shoot!”

They invite the public to this monthly event. Eye and ear protection is provided, if needed. Participants should bring water or other refreshments, as well as a chair. Wearing a ball cap and closed-toe shoes is highly advised.

The upcoming First Shot dates are July 13, Aug. 10, Sept. 14 and Oct. 12.

For more information, or to sign up for a session, email events@eergunclub.com or call 541-203-0124.

Summer sale planned at the grange

JOSEPH — The Hurricane Creek Grange indoor summer yard sale is July 5-6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the grange, 82930 Airport Lane. Items include household collectibles, dog supplies, hand-crafted specialties and more. The kitchen will be open both days for breakfast and lunch.

Artwork sought for September show

BAKER CITY — Crossroads Carnegie Art Center’s 26th annual Art at the Crossroads regional show will open Sept. 6. All media types are welcome, and work will be accepted until Sept. 3. Monetary prizes and awards will be presented at the judge’s discretion, and a people’s choice award will be selected by those who cast a vote at the opening reception.

The judge is Nika Blasser, an interdisciplinary visual artist who lives in Pendleton. She has a BFA in painting, drawing and printmaking from Portland State University, and an MFA in drawing intermedia from the University of Alberta. She is an art instructor and director at the Betty Feves Memorial Gallery at Blue Mountain Community College. She will give an informal talk and critique in the gallery at 10 a.m. on Sept. 7.

For more information, visit crossroads-arts.org or stop by the center, 2020 Auburn Ave.

‘Discover and Go’ throughout Eastern Oregon

EASTERN OREGON — The Libraries of Eastern Oregon is opening the door to area residents to “Discover and Go.”

Patrons from 16 libraries across the region can reserve a pass for entry into participating museums, or local arts, culture, history and recreation organizations. Up to four passes can be reserved during the calendar year.

The program currently includes access to such places as Maryhill Museum of Art, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and parking permits for Oregon State Parks day use areas — the full list is available on the LEO website at www.librariesofeasternoregon.org. Each partner organization determines how many people can enter with a pass.

To obtain a pass, select your library and log in to browse the available options by date or venue. You can view available passes for the upcoming three months.

To learn more about the program, visit www.librariesofeasternoregon.org, click on “For Member Libraries” and scroll to “Discover and Go.” For questions, contact 541-362-4258 or info@librariesofeasternoregon.org. For problems logging in, contact your local library.