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DIVA Celebrates the Olympic Spirit with "Notion of Motion" - June 6th-26th

DIVA And The Olympic Spirit. A new exhibit and a special film screening mark the celebration of the Olympic Trials at DIVA this month. The "Notion Of Motion" exhibit features art work by Steven Oshatz, Tenold Peterson, Sergio Ortiz, and Don MacLane. This show begins on June 6th with a special First Friday Opening Reception from 5:30 to 8:30 PM. The exhibit is made possible by support of the Slocum Center for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.
   DIVA's Media Arts program offers a special screening on June 28th of the film "Fire on the Track: The Steve Prefontaine Story". The presentation of this acclaimed documentary will include a Q&A with guest filmmakers

DIVA Exhibit Featured in Register Guard Article. DIVA's current exhibit the "Notion of Motion" was featured in a June 5th article by Bob Keefer. The article notes that the DIVA exhibit is the largest artwork specifically made in observance of the coming Olympic Trials. Read Full Article. Also check out a brief review of the new gallery facilities on Bob Keffer's Art and The City Blog site.

May Art Talk With Jud Turner. The May 1st Art Talk featured Jud Turner who discussed the creative process involved in forming his sculpture from welded steel 3/32" rods.
   Turner's sculptures are made using oxygen/acetylene gas or arc welding, of mostly steel materials. Turner combines found objects and every-day observations to form a unique, three dimensional output. The steel rod, linear sculptures featured at DIVA during MAY were created using 3/32" mild steel rod. Turner noted that materials and ideas are gathered from anywhere they can be found.
   Turner received training in drawing and painting at the University of Oregon, under Professor Ron Graff and the late Professor Frank Okada, both renowned artists and educators. In the early 1990's, he transitioned to sculptural works as his main artistic output, focusing on direct welded steel work and found object assemblages


DIVA Begins Youth Media Arts Education Program - Your Help Needed. DIVA is developing a Youth Media Arts Education Program aimed at transforming kids from consumers of media to producers, makers, and shapers. It all begins this summer when the Center offers a new series of video workshops for teens and you can help.
    The teen workshops will provide the basic skills young people need for making their first film. They will learn how to write stories that can be filmed and shared with others. Practice basic techniques for getting the best image and sound with available equipment. And, discover the secrets of making special effects with simple materials and a bit of imagination. Hopefully, many of the participants will go on to enter their work in the annual Youth Visions film festival now coordinated by the DIVA Center.
    Program developers Eric Ostlind and Jon Labrousse are hoping these workshops will close the gap between imagination and realization and remove the barriers between thinking about making a film and actually producing one. To help with this process DIVA seeks your assistance in acquiring some basic tools with which participating teens can work.
    The program needs functional digital video cameras, microphones, editing systems, lights, tripods, and other equipment that folks might want to help purchase or donate in support of this new effort. If you'd like to make a financial contribution for the purchasing of new equipment, or contribute digital video equipment you may no longer use, Please contact Eric Ostlind, DIVA Program Director at 344-3482 or write him at diva.programs@gmail.com your contributions are tax deductible. Learn more about the Summer program on line.

June Volunteer of the Month. Rosemarie Atencio has been a dedicated DIVA volunteer, helping to promote workshops, screenings, and other Center events by transposing DIVA news releases to regional online calendars such as those offered at the KLCC and CVALCO web sites. This has been an extremely time-consuming process as each site has specific formats that need to be followed. Rosemarie's commitment has made it possible to extend the Center's ability to promote its outreach program.
    Rosemarie is a full-time art student at the University of Oregon. She enjoys the textural effects she can create with pastels and clay, and is learning acrylic and oil-painting techniques as well. She appreciates how her behind-the-scenes volunteer role is flexible enough to work around her busy school schedule. "I really do believe in volunteering, and I'm excited about DIVA. They've brought in really interesting state-of-the-art stuff—I like that energy."

 

Summer Workshops. DIVA's full summer workshop program begins in July and will be featured in the next edition of the online newsletter. Meanwhile, those workshops offered this month are listed in the June Events and Workshop calendar below.

New Gift Gallery. The wall between the Center's lobby and former classroom has been removed and a new gift gallery will soon fill a portion of the new space featuring the work of local artists. What remains of the old classroom will be used as a workroom. Classes and meetings will move out into the exhibit areas until a future instructional and meeting space is constructed. Board Members, Steven Oshatz, Tenold Peterson, and Randy Stendler are coordinating the project.

Main Gallery-Screening Room Lighting Improved. Patrons attending the opening of the "Notion of Motion" exhibit on June 6th will see a major change in the Main Gallery and Screening Room. The glaring fluorescent lights from the days when DIVA was a retail space, will have been replace with new track lighting with dimming control. This will greatly improve the exhibit of artwork and at the same time create a warm ambience when the space is used for the exhibition of film arts and performances. This work is being coordinated by Board members, Steven Oshatz and Tenold Peterson.

June Artists' Salon. The monthly Artists' Salon is an informal potluck style gathering of artists and art supporters meeting for the purpose of community building, education and professional development. We provide opportunities to learn about different aspects of the art world and marketplace in a friendly, informal setting. All participants enjoy the opportunity to meet the guests and one another for discussion and networking." The topic for the June 15th Artists' Saloon will be announced soon. Admission: $5. DIVA Members: Free.

California Artist Antero Alli visits DIVA. Antero Alli is a Finnish born, Berkeley-based underground filmmaker whose deep background in experimental theatre infuses his films with a quirky dramatic sensibility all their own.
    Alli will be at DIVA at 9pm on June 5th to give the NW Premier of his feature film, "The Invisible Forest". This film tells the story of a theatre troupe camping out in a forest to perform their director's vision of French. Admission: $5.00


Change in Videomakers' Forum and Slam Announced. Beginning this month, DIVA's Videomakers' Forum and Slam will be offered as two separate monthly events at the Center. The Videomakers' Forum will meet at 4:00 PM on Sunday, June 8th. The Video Slam follows on Monday, June 9th at 7:00 PM.
   The forum is meant to inspire and assist upcoming video artists by providing the opportunity to share knowledge, experiences, and techniques with fellow videomakers.
    Video artists are encouraged to bring their finished or work in progress to the Video Slam. It will be screened in the friendly environment of an audience-choice slam competition with winners going on to an annual slam fest in December.


CALENDAR: JUNE EVENTS & WORKSHOPS


On-Going: Saturday, June 7, 14, 21, and 28 Workshop: Screenwriting
Instructor: Thomas Blank, Retired Hollywood Film and TV Director
Time: 9:00-Noon
Cost: $20 per class session, with a minimum registration for 4 Sessions required
Registration: Visit class or call 344-3482
~~~ Class sessions are devoted to review of student work and issues related to premise development, outline, draft, and revision of a script. Along the way structure, character, and form are emphasized.

On-Going: Tuesdays June 10, 17, 24, and July 1 - Workshop: Figure Drawing
Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Cost: $25 for 4 sessions.  Class minimum enrollment: 6 students.
Drop-ins $10.  Deadline June 3rd
~~~ Come down to DIVA on Tuesdays and draw! A live model is provided and a volunteer artist supervises the session.  Drop-ins are welcome, but class minimum must be met.  Knock on the door, or call 344-3482 to get in after 6:30pm.

Thursday, June 5 - NW Premier of Antero Alli's "The Invisible Forest"
Time: 9pm
Cost: $5.
~~~ "The Invisible Forest" is a new feature film by Antero Alli that tells the story of a theatre troupe camping out in a forest to perform their director's vision of French Surrealist Antonin Artaud's magic theatre of ghosts, gods and spirits. Antero Alli is a Finnish born, Berkeley-based underground filmmaker whose background in experimental theatre infuses his films with a quirky dramatic sensibility all their own.

Sunday, June 8 - Videomaker's Forum
Time: 4:00 PM
Admission: Free
~~~ The forum is meant to inspire and assist upcoming video artists by providing the opportunity to share knowledge, experiences, and techniques with fellow video enthusiasts. Sessions include presentations, discussions, and periodic collaborative challenges. Videomakers are encouraged to bring their finished or works in progress to be screened.

Monday, June 9 - Video Slam
Time: 7:00 PM
Admission: Free
~~~ The Video Slam is an opportunity to screen short video works by artists in the spirit of the poetry slam. At the end of each session the audience will choose a winning video. The monthly winners will be compiled into an annual Best Of The DIVA Video Slam program to be held at the end of the year.

Wednesday, June 11 MOPAN Meeting featuring the Eugene International Film Festival
Time: 6:30 PM Social. 7:00 PM Meeting
Cost: Free
~~~ The public is invited to the monthly meeting of the Mid-Oregon Production Arts Network (MOPAN). A presentation by the Eugene International Film Festival (EIFF) committee will be made regarding the up-coming EIFF festival 3-4-5- October, 2008.

Sunday, June 15 - Stencil Nation with Russell Howze
Time: 1pm
Admission: Free
~~~ Author Russell Howze visits Eugene to give a slide-lecture presentation related to stencil art based on his book Stencil Nation: Graffiti, Community, and Art.

Sunday, June 15- Artist Salon - Art Blogs!
Time: 4:00 PM
Cost: $5 public/Free for DIVA members.
~~~ Blogs, once the exclusive domain of the tech-savvy, have now become popular tools for the masses. How are artists using blogs to promote their work and build community among their peers? We'll explore examples of art blogs, and discuss how a blog is different from other kinds of websites. What are the pros and cons of blogs? Participants will learn a variety of ways that they can start a blog of their own, as well as exploring whether they have what it takes to be a successful blogger.
     Current DIVA members may also bring two or three examples of their artwork for the Members' Gallery selection. Members may propose exhibits as individuals, pairs, or groups, as long as everyone is a current member.

Wednesday, June 18 - Best of San Francisco's ATA at DIVA
Time: 8:00 PM
Admission: $5/$3 students and members
~~~ Sixteen of the very best of the experimental videos and films by the Artists' Television Access group of San Francisco. This collection of work represents the best of the Open Screening sessions conducted at ATA.

Sunday, June 22 - Seminar: Great Film Directors Series: François Truffaut
Time: 1pm - 6:30pm with break
Instructor: Thomas Blank
Registration: Free - at the door or call 344-3482 to guarantee seat
~~~ The films of French director François Truffaut will be examined. Truffaut is known as one of the founders of the French New Wave in filmmaking, and remains an icon of the French film. His films such as, Shoot the Piano Player (1960) , Jules and Jim (1962), Day for Night (1973) are classics of the New Wave movement.

Saturday, June 28 - Special Screening: Fire on The Track: The Steve Prefontaine Story
Guest Filmmakers: TBA
Time: TBA
Cost: $5
~~~ DIVA is pleased to present the documentary Fire on the Track, the story of Eugene's Steve Prefontaine, America's top distance runner in the 1970's whose front running style, brashness, and American track records captivated the public like no other distance runner. He narrowly missed an Olympic medal in 1972 and then his life was tragically cut short in a car accident. Q&A follows with guest filmmakers.

Full Calendar Detail On The DIVA Center Web Site.


EXHIBITS: JUNE


Celebrating the Olympic Spirit. DIVA is pleased to announce a special two-month exhibition in celebration of the Olympic Trials: "The Notion of Motion." The public opening of the exhibition will be on Friday, June 6 from 5:30 to 8:30. On July 4, "The Notion of Motion" will be a stop on the First Friday Art Walk. The exhibition will be on view until July 26, 2008. The gallery is open from 12 to 6 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.
    The brainchild of local artists Tenold Peterson and Steven Oshatz, "The Notion of Motion" features a collaborative installation using acceleration and movement as a subject for visual expression. The exhibit is an artistic complement to the 2008 Olympic Trials taking place in Eugene this summer.

Tenold Peterson and Steven Oshatz. Featured in the main gallery are two large painted compositions of men and women running, reaching 8 feet high and 28 feet wide. Oshatz and Peterson, working together in the sprit of improvisation, have created a kinetic energy that translates into the motion of the athletes. Larger than human scale, the figurative images are metaphors about the process of abstract painting. The sheer size of the images transforms the gallery in an impressive way. One can almost feel the thud of the athletes’ feet pounding against the track.

Oshatz has examined the idea of motion from other angles as well. Also on display are his "Five Equations of Motion." These large digital prints each start with an equation based on velocity and acceleration, then metamorphose into an optical experience. Using the principles of  "Op Art," these images transcend their mathematical symbols, creating eclectic relationships to time and space. Peterson also contributes solo work, showing his pastel drawings of dancers. These large, color-rich works capture elusive and beautiful moments of dancers in motion, setting a distinct and elegant tone of their own.

Sergio Ortiz. Other artists have added their insights to "The Notion of Motion." Sergio Ortiz contributes striking large-format photographs of marathon runners. Ortiz, who spent years as a serious runner in Eugene, declares, "I have always admired the physical form of marathoners." His current home in Portland is along the Marathon route, and the front runners come by about 8 a.m. each October. "This body of work focuses on kinetic energy in the human form in relationship to available light," Ortiz explains. A commercial photographer who learned his craft at the Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, Ortiz currently lives in Portland.

Don MacLane. Don MacLane a sculptor based in Portland, has his own totally different interpretation of motion on display. MacLane contributes a display of interactive kinetic sculpture, titled "Exploring Cycles." These steel and stone contraptions invite viewers to explore the variations that can arise in rhythmic motion patterns. “Each piece has a range of behaviors or personality," explains MacLane. "Some are peaceful, and others are energetic or even frantic." Viewers are invited to set the pieces in motion and explore the sometimes surprising results. Complex rhythmic patterns arise from the simple, elegant sculptural shapes, and viewers have the treat of being instigators as well as observers.
    MacLane, originally a student of math and science, got hooked on art during his time at Antioch College. "Learning to weld and pour molten bronze by moonlight seemed far more exciting than calculus," he reminisces. With a masters in art and an engineering degree from Portland State University, his years of work as a mechanical engineer have developed skills that proved very helpful in making his kinetic art sculptures.
   You can view an Oregon Art Beat video of Don MacLane and his work online. Click here to view.

DIVA’s Members’ Gallery will feature a June show by Becoming April, titled "Cerebral Kinsesis: The Motion of Thought." The exhibit features sculptures created by the slow but rewarding process of fusing glass in a kiln. Some of the glass is cast into custom-built molds, and some of it is mixed with steel support elements. The pieces are multi-dimensional, integrating words, shapes, color, and light. Becoming April’s artwork focuses on connections, ranging from unhealthy to divine. “Every act and movement starts in the brain,” the artist explains. “I believe art should resonate within a person’s spirit, traveling from head to heart.” Becoming April’s work has been exhibited in many venues in Eugene and surrounding communities.

COMMUNITY: NEWS
News of Area Non-Profit Arts Organizations:

Faster, Higher, Farther: The Spirit of Track & Field Sports. The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art will host an exhibit of photography by David Burnett, Kenneth Jarecke, Dilip Mehta, and Annie Leibovitz that captures the speed, power, endurance of Olympic class athletes past and present. The exhibit, prepared by Contact Press Images, New York, features arguably the most famous images of past Olympic games, trials and relays of these extraordinary athletes including Carl Lewis, Michael Johnson, and Mary Decker Slaney. The exhibit runs June 18 - September 7, 2008. FREE Reception: Wednesday, June 25, 5:30 – 8 p.m.

Track Town USA at Maude Kerns. In conjunction with the Olympic Track & Field Trials, June 27-July 6, the Art Center presents a very special exhibit, “Track Town USA.” This juried exhibit features the theme of track and field sports and will showcase artwork in all media. In combining the athletic and artistic, this exhibit presents an opportunity for viewers to appreciate artful representations of the sports that have made Eugene famous.

Watercolor Society of Oregon Spring Exhibition. Twenty Top Award-winning paintings of the 43rd Aqueous Media Show will be on exhibit at the Emerald Art Center June 3rd - June 28th, 2008.

Master of Fine Arts 2008. The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, the Department of Art, and School of Architecture and Allied Arts present an exhibition of the work of the 2008 MFA graduates in Art. The exhibit runs May 3 – June 15, 2008.

Late 19th-century French paintings at Schnitzer. Five paintings by well-known French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painters will be on exhibit in the museum’s European Gallery. The paintings include works by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919), Paul Cézanne (1839–1906), Camille Pissarro (1830-1903), Paul Signac (1863-1935), and Henri Martin (1860-1943). Image Credit: Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Vase de fleurs, n.d., oil on canvas, private collection. Jordan Schnitzer 1430 Johnson Lane on the University of Oregon campus. Admission $5.

Recycle, Reuse, Rethink, RE-ART! Where living green is a way of life and everyday is Earth Day, it's natural Oregon artists would tap into the wealth of recycled materials available. In the spirit of reusing materials previously considered "disposable," this exhibit features regional artists who transform items such as broken windshield glass, discarded sewing needles, and old mailing envelopes into works of art. Art at the Airport through June 5.

Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. Works by Renoir, Pissarro, Signac, Martin and Cézanne are on exhibit through June 8 at the Schnitzer 1430 Johnson Lane on the University of Oregon campus. Admission $5.

"Post 2 Coast: 97411". The South Coast Collage Collective will present it MAIL ART show entitled "Post 2 Coast: 97411". At the Bandon Artist Supply's WATERMARK GALLERY for the month of July 2008.  A reception for the public will be held
on Saturday, July 5th, from 3-5 pm, with a private artists' party to follow.

Student art Show at Springfield Museum. This year’s annual student art show and exhibit will feature art work from area high school artists. Through June 15th.


OPPORTUNITIES:

Artist Opportunity During the Olympic Trials. Artists are invited to set up tables or booths in downtown Eugene on the Plaza (Willamette and Broadway) during the Olympic Trials, June 26 through July 6.  If you are interested, stop by the Saturday Market Office, 76 West Broadway, to get a permit.  You will need to provide your own booth or table and handle your own sales.  There is no cost for the permit.  You will need to fill out a form and indicate the days/hours you would like to have a booth.

Call for Exhibit Proposals. DIVA invites artists, curators, groups, and organizations to submit exhibit proposals for the Center's six-gallery facility January 2009 through June 2009. We welcome a wide variety of proposals including installation, multi-media, time-based, performance, or other creative uses of our gallery spaces. Individuals and groups living in Oregon or proposals that are significant to Oregon are eligible to apply. Download application form. Applications will be received at DIVA through 5:00pm on June 7, 2008. Notification letters will be mailed by July 18, 2008.

Call For Auditions. Faux Show Productions,  A locally based independent production company, seeks Actors to participate in their feature length production of the horror-comedy titled: "Earth Day" written and directed by Mister Ooh-La-La . Scheduled to begin shooting this summer in Eugene and surrounding areas. While we are unable to offer compensation at this time for participation in the project, you will get the chance to showcase your talents in a feature production as well as gaining rare, valuable experience in the film making process. Read More.

Call for artwork. If you are an artist with car themed work, landscapes or food themed work, we have an opportunity for some corporate purchases.  Prints are fine, but they need to be framed.  Please email images to mary@divanow.org, or drop a CD by DIVA, 110 W. Broadway with your contact information on the case.  CD’s will not be returned, we will keep them on file for other opportunities.  Include a sheet with titles and prices.  DIVA will take a 35% commission on all sales, so price accordingly.  All media will be considered.

Maude Kerns 2008 Art and the Vineyard. Art and the Vineyard is the Northwest's premier art, wine, and music festival, staged along the banks of the Willamette River in Eugene's Alton Baker Park. This year's 25th annual Art and the Vineyard will take place July 4-6, 2008. The Artists' Marketplace features over 140 artist booths located in the heart of the festival. This year, we strongly encourage artists to make Reservations early! Due to the Olympic Trials, we expect to have an additional 15,000 visitors per day in town during Art and the Vineyard. Download: 2008 Artists' Marketplace Prospectus (PDF)

BRING Ongoing Call For Proposals. BRING Gallery also accepts proposals for group and solo exhibits. We are looking for artists who are working with recycled and/or natural materials, and/or address environmental/sustainability issues in their
art. Please submit a short statement, artist resume and work samples to gallery@bringrecycling.org for consideration.

Maude Kerns 2008 Track Town USA: Celebrating Track and Field Sports. The Art Center is currently accepting submissions for an upcoming juried exhibit based on the theme of track and field sports. The exhibit coincides with the 2008 Olympic Track and Field Trails at historic Hayward Field in Eugene. Download: 2008 Track Town USA (PDF)

Maude Kerns 2009-2010 Exhibits Prospectus. The Art Center is currently accepting submissions for its 2009-2010 exhibit schedule. Regional, national, and international artists working in 2- and 3-dimensional mediums, as well as installation art, with or without video components, are invited to submit their work for consideration. Solo, group, and/or themed shows will be created based on the content, quality, and number of submissions. Download: 2009-2010 Prospectus. (PDF).

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Art Deadlines List. A free monthly e-mail newsletter providing information about juried exhibitions/competitions, call for entries/proposals/papers, jobs, internships, writing & photo contests, scholarships, residencies, design & architecture competitions, auditions, fellowships, casting calls, tryouts, grants, festivals, funding, financial aid, and other opportunities (including some that take place on the web) for artists, art educators and art students of all ages. Edited and published by Richard Gardner. Premium list available for paid subscription. 

Art Show: Artists' opportunities are posted in order by entry deadline and include calls for artists to exhibit in art shows, exhibitions, festivals & fine art competitions.

Regional Arts & Culture council (Portland). Competition entries are entered the first of each month. Excellent resource.

WEB: EXPLORATIONS

A Journey Through Time. Noted photographer Frans Lanting opens the website dedicated to his most recent ambitious project with these words: "Seven years ago I stood at the tide line of an estuary and began a personal journey through time." Auspicious words indeed, and this lovely exploration of what he found on this journey takes visitors on a "lyrical interpretation of life on Earth from its earliest beginnings to its present diversity." As visitors click on the words "Start Journey" they will be taken through eighty six photographs which document the various physical landforms and processes from the Hawaiian Islands to the heights of the Himalayas. After clicking on each photo, visitors will be presented with an interactive timeline that locates the photo within a timeline of geologic history. Interested parties can also peruse the "More about LIFE" section to learn more about the equipment Lanting uses in his work, and how the project came to life. Visit Site.

TBA: TIME-BASED ARTS


This new section of the DIVA E-Newsletter will feature examples of international time-based arts selected from various online resources. The goal is to facilitate an understanding of the newer visual art media being explored today. DIVA's Gallery 3 will provide local examples of art forms experienced over time and temporal in nature.
   Featured this month is Patrick Rochon, light painter. This is his first light-painting performance in 1999. It's done with lights and video feedback on a screen. It led to Light Warriors Tokyo and Liquid Vision Tokyo performance group. The goal was to capture the movement of light and do live interactive light-painting. Learn more about this artist on his web site www.patrickrochon.com

DIVA: CONNECTIONS
• Phone: 541-344-3482
• Web: divacenter.org
• Executive Director: diva.director@gmail.com
• Exhibits: diva.exhibits@gmail.com
• Volunteer: diva.exhibits@gmail.com
• Education: diva.programs@gmail.com
• Programs: diva.programs@gmail.com
• Facility Rental: diva.programs@gmail.com
• Newsletter archive: 2006 | 2007 | 2008


DIVA Membership
DIVA Center 110 W. Broadway
Eugene, 97401