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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Since You Asked: Wimer Dam fish salvage yields nada natives ... Possible links between dead Oregon man, missing women investigated ... Cemetery tour highlights drifters, saloon keepers ... Since You Asked: Wimer Dam fish salvage yields nada natives ... Possible links between dead Oregon man, missing women investigated ... Cemetery tour highlights drifters, saloon keepers ... EDUCATION LIFEArt plans to open gallery in Medford Comment By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 2, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 2, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News A growing student art program that displays work in coffee shops, wineries, schools, banks and other businesses around the Rogue Valley aims to open its own gallery and studio in downtown Medford. The gallery will showcase the work of young artists in the LIFEArt — Live, Inspire; Freedom of Expression — program, an after-school art group that's in seven Jackson County schools and is about 145 students strong. Phil Ortega, adviser and founder of the group, says he hopes to have the grand opening for the 1,000-square foot space in Medford's Middleford Alley behind Jackson Creek Pizza by the Art in Bloom festival in May. "I really wanted this new environment where kids feel like it's their own spot," says Ortega, who is also the safe schools coordinator for Jackson County School District No. 9. The LIFEArt Gallery & Cultural Center will boast a main gallery and central workspace for in-process student projects. Founded in 2009, LIFEArt  was originally set up to give at-risk students an artistic outlet. The message and outreach have broadened since then. Now, Ortega says, the program is more about providing a program for all interested students when they're not in school — or 189 out of 365 days a year — giving them less time to fall in with gangs, do drugs or get into other trouble. "We want to consume out-of-school time," Ortega says. "That's what LIFEArt's intention is." There are now members at Lone Pine, Oak Grove and Table Rock elementary schools, White Mountain Middle School, and Eagle Point, North Medford and South Medford high schools. Ortega says the program is funded primarily through donations. He's also applying for some grants. Group members meet four days a week with mentors and advisers, brainstorming and working on projects.They also attend special events like the Multicultural Fair and Art in Bloom to promote their program and pieces. In addition to the art itself, White Mountain Middle School eighth grader Manny Chaparro, 14, says the program has helped him connect with other like-minded students and to do better in school. "It kind of gives us a goal to reach (for)," he says. He and Brian Delacruz, also a 14-year-old White Mountain student, are both eager to see their work hanging in an official gallery. "I love that idea," Delacruz says. "People get to know what you're capable of." Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 2, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501