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Rogue Gallery drive falls short But Medford art fixture won't close By BILL VARBLE The Rogue Gallery and Art Center has fallen short of reaching a special fund-raising target but succeeded in keeping the wolf from the door. The longtime Medford art gallery has raised about $40,000 in a drive that ends today, executive director Judy Barnes said Monday. The nonprofit gallery announced in December a "financial crisis" it said could force it to close its doors before the end of 1999 unless it raised $60,000. Barnes said raising most of that amount felt like a victory. "I think raising the money speaks loudly about the organization and the people who have kept it together," Barnes said. "We've bought ourselves quite a bit of time." But she added, "I think we're going to have to work harder." In announcing the shortfall six months ago, gallery officials blamed repairs needed on the building at 40 S. Bartlett St., art classes offered at less than the cost of providing them, exhibits and programs that had expanded faster than income, and dwindling returns from old fund-raising sources such as an annual Christmas tree event and a spring art festival. Next year will be the 40th birthday of the Rogue Valley Art Association, the gallery's parent. The gallery provides art exhibits and a wide array of programs. While attendance has almost doubled in the past decade, from 11,000 visitors to more than 20,000, attendance doesn't automatically translate into income. In the drive, the gallery received about 250 donations from its roster of more than 600 members, including $5,000 from the Jed and Celia Meese Foundation, $3,000 from Marjorie and Ogden Kellogg of Gold Hill and $2,000 from Jane and Dunbar Carpenter of Medford. Nearly a dozen donors gave $1,000 or more. There were donations from the Clayfolk pottery group and some book clubs. A draw-a-thon in March with local artists raised about $1,700. An art auction is now the gallery's major fund-raiser. It's set for Sept. 18 at the Rogue Valley Country Club, featuring artworks by local artist Eugene Bennett and others. A membership drive in the fall will have a goal of increasing membership, especially among small businesses and corporations. Basic memberships are $25 for individuals and $40 per family (for information, call 772-8118). Barnes said the group has rebuilt its board of directors, adding 10 new members. It lucked out on some repairs. "They got the water to go away from the building by digging ditches and putting in new downspouts," she said. "So we didn't have water in back rooms this winter." Challenges remain, however. Barnes said the building needs $4,500 in repairs. Worse, the gallery hasn't made much progress in finding business support. "Having the gallery means Medford's a more liveable city," Barnes said. "Businesses should be behind that." Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA