Document text
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: Pedestrians can be cited for carelessness ... Wolf once believed to be dead shows up near Crater Lake ... One of Oregon's two health insurance co-ops says it will shut down ... Since You Asked: Pedestrians can be cited for carelessness ... Wolf once believed to be dead shows up near Crater Lake ... One of Oregon's two health insurance co-ops says it will shut down ... PUBLIC ART New foundation hopes to support artists in Talent Comment By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 21, 2015 at 3:25 PM By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 21, 2015 at 3:25 PM » Social News With a little bit of seed money and a lot of enthusiasm, the Talent Public Art Foundation has raised more than $8,000, established a board of directors and undertaken strategic planning. Its plans include support for public art and arts education and recognition for the city’s artists. City government has little money to support public art, although officials encourage it. “The main thing is a foundation like this will just allow the arts to take off and not be limited by city funds,” said Kierstin Brown, foundation board president. “One of the main goals is to get in a position where we can do grants and provide support for artists to do what they are doing, and to encourage new artists.” Mayor Darby Stricker provided $500 in seed money from the Mayor’s Discretionary Fund for the group to hold a fundraiser at Paschal Winery in Talent in June. Artists donated their works for sale and auction and donations were taken. Organizers hoped to raise $5,000. The evening netted $8,200. “We have a great, extensive artists’ comity that seems unappreciated,” said Stricker. “We aren’t leveraging that to their advantage and our advantage. We want to expose them locally. They are known nationally.” Photographer David Winston and artist Cathy Dorris have national and regional followings. Brown would like to create awareness of how artists can be involved in the community. That might include sculpture, ways to beautify the town, and showcases for the artists. She’d also like to support art classes for schoolchildren and anyone else who wants to get a feel for the arts. Other board members are vice president Ben Bergreen, treasurer Donna Thomas, secretary Ron Hodgdon, Dorris and Stricker. “We are in the strategic planning process, putting together the direction we want to move and the projects we want to get involved in,” said Brown. An accountant has been hired and is working to establish the group’s nonprofit status so that donations can be used as tax deductions. A city Public Art Committee has a largely advisory role to the City Council on art that is appropriate for display. Brown is a member of the committee. Talent mosaic artist Karen Rycheck in July unveiled the town’s third mural, a scene from Ashland’s Equamore horse rescue ranch, for which she raised all the funds. “The fundraising took the majority of the time,” Rycheck said of the installation on the side of The Grotto pizzeria. “(The foundation) could mean I don’t have to fundraise my own projects. It would allow me to do more work in Talent, which I would love to do.” Rycheck also hopes the foundation would be able to boost art education in the local schools and bring more community involvement to art projects. “The intention of art is not just to beautify, it is also a form of expression,” said Brown. “Sometimes in this society your voice just doesn’t capture it, where art will.” Reach Ashland freelance writer Tony Boom at [email protected]. By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Sep. 21, 2015 at 3:25 PM » 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