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35 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, December 16, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend May 7, 2004 Come rain or come shine, Art in Bloom starts today By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune Artists and organizers are hoping this weekend’s Art in Bloom celebration in downtown Medford will be held under sunny skies. Clouds are rolling across the valley, and forecasters are predicting possible showers for the three-day event, which kicks off today at 7 with an awards presentation by Mayor Lindsay Berryman. Judy Barnes of the Rogue Gallery says rain or shine, the show will go on — and she’s hoping for shine from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. "I’m optimistic," says Barnes. "Besides, most of the artists know that rain is always a possibility, so they prepare for it." Barnes says an estimated 7,000 people showed up at the street fair last year in spite of blustery skies and a few stray drops. Advertisement This is the fourth year for the festival, which turns downtown blocks from Main to Eighth streets and Bartlett Street to Central Avenue into a springtime celebration of the arts. The annual event is continuing to grow — keeping popular themes, adding new ones and eliminating the not-so-successful. A juried art show returns with nearly double the number of participating artists and a wine-tasting event has been added. The beer garden has been discontinued, but six Southern Oregon winegrowers have stepped in to host the wine-tasting. In the wine tent, patrons 21 and older will be able to buy tickets to taste five wines for $7. Additional tickets are available, and tasters can keep their commemorative wine glass. The Art in Bloom Invitational exhibit features 11 artists from the Rogue Valley displaying their various talents in pastels, watercolors, oils and contemporary works on paper. Those attending the show will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite artwork. Each year the People’s Choice winner is purchased by the city of Medford as public art. The Berryman Gallery at the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater will exhibit pieces from past year’s winners Richard McKinley, Charlotte Peterson and Gabriel Lipper. A selection of collectible pear labels from the collection of Sue Naumes also will be on display. Many of the labels are lithographed and are one-of-a-kind. Musical entertainers will include the Rogue Valley Youth Chorale, the Oregon Conservatory of Performing Arts, the Beau Berry Band and Dance Arts Academy/Medford Civic Ballet. Since the event is happening on Mother’s Day weekend, posters and essays on mothers created by area elementary school students will be on display. A horticultural vending area by the city’s downtown parking structure will offer plants, fountains and all manner of garden art for those with green thumbs. The whimsical smudge pots will also return by popular demand. Nearly three-dozen arty artifacts will salute the valley’s pear-growing past. Barnes says that in the event of inclement weather, the exposed smudge pots would be her biggest concern. But she’s working on a plan. "We’ll have to think of something. I think I have canopies," she said. "I think everyone’s looking forward to a nice party." Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities