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CLEAR Temp: 62 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Thursday, June 5, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend May 6, 2003 Debbie Johnson of Grants Pass takes a closer look at one of the colorful bruins of Grants Pass's BearFest 2003. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli Bear ambition in Grants Pass The city is hoping its 21 colorful and whimsical sidewalk figures will be bearers of glad tidings to bring in tourist dollars By SANNE SPECHT Mail Tribune GRANTS PASS — Twenty-one wild and crazy bears are camping out on the sidewalks this summer to increase tourism and benefit the local economy. The colorful and bigger-than-life-sized Fiberglas bears will spend the next several months outside sponsoring businesses along Sixth and Seventh streets as part of a public art display called BearFest 2003. There are bears of every imaginable ilk. One’s "hangin’ 20" on a surfboard wearing salmon-print trunks. Another, "Carmen Bearanda," sports a fruit-topped hat. And "BumbleBear" looks like, well, what you’d imagine — a gigantic bumble bee. Each business sponsoring a BearFest bruin has chosen a local nonprofit organization that will benefit when the bears are auctioned off in September. Advertisement As the bears were being placed on their stands on busy streets Monday morning, people stopped to stare. "I just love it! I love everything about it," said Ellen Campbell of Rogue River. "I can’t wait to bid on one in September." Brady Adams, president and chief executive officer of Evergreen Federal Bank, provided the impetus behind BearFest. Adams was looking for something that would help kick off the installation of artist Peter Sedlow’s bronze sculpture at the Grants Pass Evergreen Federal. Borrowing from the Chicago Cows, Seattle Pigs and Eugene Ducks, Adams said he thought the bear theme was a perfect fit for his community. "I like where I live," said Adams. "This is Grants Pass. And this project is bringing people some kind of joy whether they’re 8 years old or 80." Artist Medora Nankervis created the BumbleBear over a month’s worth of work. Nankervis said her inspiration came from a little stuffed teddybear purchased at a local novelty shop. "He was just cute, I couldn’t resist," she said. "And then I couldn’t resist using him for my bear." Nankervis owns and curates the Art Mall of Southern Oregon and chairs the Grants Pass Museum of Art. A working artist for more than 60 years, Nankervis said this experience "was the classiest thing I’ve ever been involved with in the arts." "They rented us a warehouse, divided it into cubicles and made sure we each had power and lighting," said Nankervis. "And they gave us $500 and little gifts — a teddybear mug, a bear cookie cutter — it was a wonderful experience." Adams said he’s proud of the work the artists did to create the fanciful bruins. In fact, the project has exceeded his expectations, he said. Evergreen Federal is providing around-the-clock security for the bears. Those not wanting to miss a single bear can pick up a map at the Chamber of Commerce. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected] . Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times