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Artist works to keep others inspired Mail Tribune / Drew Fleming Painter Bruce Bayard stretches his artistic talents to create music on the computer for dancer Suzee Grilley. Bayard has devoted his life not only to the arts, but helping others better appreciate them. By DAMIAN MANN Ashland artist Bruce Bayard keeps expanding his canvas to include more and more of the Rogue Valley community. The 42-year-old painter has devoted his life not only to his art but to helping the community better appreciate the arts in general. Much of his time is spent promoting It�s About Dance!, an annual festival at the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater in Medford. He also produces a quarterly publication, "Dance in Southern Oregon," that keeps people informed about upcoming events. And he volunteers with the Ashland Gallery Association, which displays artwork by students from the area�s six high schools. The dance festival is the most challenging for Bayard, who was born in Orange, Calif., and moved to the Rogue Valley in 1988. With dance competing with other activities in the valley, the promoter has his work cut out for him to make this a successful event. "A lot of dance and theater that�s not Shakespeare has to make a big noise to be heard," Bayard said. "It�s kind of an excruciating event to stage, and I�m responsible for making sure that happens." Sponsored by the Dance Alliance of Southern Oregon, the all-volunteer event features a wide variety of dance, from modern to ballet, from jazz to tap, performed by more than 70 dancers. The most recent festival was staged in March. The alliance, which was formed in 1993, has put on seven dance festivals in the past four years. When he�s not volunteering, Bayard works on his computer to create his art. "The thing about the computer for me is it�s very much in sync with the way I do work," he said. "Up until nine months ago, I was using mixed media to create my posters." Bayard said he encourages "accidents" in his drawings, and he finds the computer gives him so many choices and so many possibilities. "I�ve taken slides of unfinished paintings and finished them on the computer," he said. Colleague and friend Ann DiSalvo said she prefers the tactile sensation of creating a drawing using the usual tools of an artist, such as brush, charcoals and paint. Even so, she is impressed by Bayard�s work. "The textures are so dense and three-dimensional," she said. Bayard said his philosophy of art is to "try and convey a sense of inquisitiveness. It is always good to be asking questions rather than giving answers." This may explain why he is so fascinated with the art of dancing. "It has many metaphorical twists to it." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.