10 Year Anniversary of the Salem Convention Center
November 5, 2015 at the Salem Convention Center
Since 2006, we've partnered with the Convention Center to provide lively works of art inside and out. Our partnership with the Hallie Ford Museum of Art at Willamette University is responsible for the loan of paintings by major Oregon artists. Plus, the outdoor sculpture court is enlivening a major downtown corner.
This special event, featuring live jazz and an artists reception, raised funds to acquire Street Light, a 1962 painting by Carl Hall, one of Oregon's most distinguished artists. We also held a silent auction of works by artists Evelyn Sheehan, Phyllis Yes, Carol Grigg, Satsuko Hamilton, David Worrix and others to raise funds for our ongoing work to place public art in downtown Salem.
Opening Our Doors to Art
June 26, 2015 at four Capitol Auto Group's Salem locations
On Friday, June 26th, Capitol Toyota hosted three days of Mary Lou Zeek’s popular “Opening our Doors to Art” at all four of Capitol Auto Group's Salem locations.
This unique exhibit presented a chance to view the original artwork from 10 local artists including Darcie Leighty, Diane Culhane, Jon Jay Cruson, Marcy Baker, Marilyn Higginson, Nancy Lindburg, Nyla Pilon, Robert Schlegel, Sue-Del McCulloch and Tracy MacEwan.
The artists’ works were also reproduced on different vehicle doors in celebration of Capitol Auto Group's first car dealership art “door show”. Proceeds from this event benefit the OASF so it may continue the tradition of supporting local and public art in Salem.
Downtown Salem Celebrates the Arrival of "The Cube"
February 27, 2015 in Downtown Salem
The sculpture, commonly called “The Cube,” is a mysterious block of polished chrome. At its new location in downtown Salem, The Cube is not just turning heads. It’s also raising hopes that other sculptures will appear in the city’s core.
Salem Mayor Anna Peterson, the Salem Public Art Commission and the Oregon Artists Series Foundation will commemorate The Cube with an unveiling and lighting ceremony. The event is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the sculpture’s location, on the northeast corner of Liberty Street NE and State Street.
The Cube’s bright surface engages viewers, reflecting people and traffic that passes by the corner. Peterson compares the visual effect to a funhouse mirror.
“It becomes like a moving image. I love it,” the mayor said.
The Cube, actually an untitled work by artist Bruce West, was previously part of the sculpture garden at the Salem Convention Center. The piece has been in the city’s public art collection since 1971, when it was given to the city by private donors.
In February, the sculpture was moved to its new home in front of the McGilchrist and Roth buildings. Moving the sculpture to a prominent corner is part of a collaborative effort by the Oregon Artists Series Foundation and the Salem Public Art Commission.
Called the Salem Public Sculpture Project, the effort is aimed at making art more accessible to downtown visitors. The vision: place several sculptures each year in the downtown area.
“It exposes people to great art, it makes them think, it adds luster to the community,” said Rich Harcourt, president of the Oregon Artists Series Foundation.
Salem’s public works department has identified 10 downtown locations where sculptures could potentially be placed. Before more sculptures appear on downtown streets, however, funds will have to be raised through private donations.
For the installation of The Cube, the private owners of the McGilchrist and Roth buildings donated funding for the majority of the costs associated with the art pedestal infrastructure, city officials said.
Riverfront-Downtown Urban Renewal dollars provided funds for connecting electrical power to the “art well” where The Cube is placed, as well as the installation of lights and other electrical equipment.