Creativity abounds in the summer months! As I promised, I am returning this month to share about opportunities to flourish.
It cannot go unsaid that our brains and bodies evolved to create and experience arts and culture, to cultivate a sense of belonging and to grow in our lived experience. This short list is not exhaustive by any means. I chose four unique local opportunities to enhance your summer experience.
New local ceramics studio
Slipstream Clay is a new ceramics studio offering classes and studio membership. It is located near Sunbow Farms at 6842 SW Plymouth Drive, Corvallis, OR 97333. You can check out the creative space at the open house celebration on June 21 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. There will be refreshments, a raffle and the chance to see the newly opened studio.
Slipstream Clay is the creation of Vicki Lynn Wilson and it offers classes and studio membership. I met Vicki in my LBCC ceramic portrait class and I can’t wait to share her awesome study with the clay enthusiasts in the valley.
Vicki attended Pacific Northest College of Art for her bachelor of fine arts degree in sculpture and Portland State University for her master of fine arts in sculpture. She inherited her grandmother’s kiln and supplies in 1997 while a student at PNCA. She has been a college art instructor for about 20 years, teaching at community colleges, private schools and state colleges in Oregon and Virginia.
See Vicki’s portfolio at www.vickilynnwilson.net and about Slipstream Clay class offerings at www.slipstreamclay.com.
Classes on new sliding scale
Maxtivity Arts and Crafts Creative Space, where I work, will be offering a new sliding scale tiered pricing to increase access to creative opportunities. Local classes support the studio’s mission to provide access to creative opportunities and employ local creatives.
Local artists teach classes on subjects such as watercolor, sewing, ice dyeing fabric and adult crafting nights at Common Fields every fourth Monday. Each class requires different levels of skills from basic to intermediate, so there is something for everyone to try.
Maxtivity will have crafting booths at many summer events and don’t forget to peep The Glory, the kinetic sculpture, in the Philomath Frolic and Rodeo parade. Register online at maxtivity.org/arts-and-crafts-classes. Upcoming classes include:
- June 24, June 24 — Painting Sea Creatures with Watercolor with Camila Godoy, 4:30-7 p.m.
- June 24 — Adult Craft Night at Common Fields: Beaded Lanyard and Earrings, 6-7:30 p.m. (at Common Fields, Corvallis).
- July 1, July 8 — Paint Summer Fruits Watercolor Classes with Camila Godoy, 4:30-7 p.m.
- July 22 — Adult Craft Night at Common Fields: Mosaic Coaster, 6-7:30 p.m. (at Common Fields, Corvallis).
- Aug. 10 — Haralson Belt Bag Sewing Class with Camille Ainsworth, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
More class listings are available at maxtivity.org/arts-and-crafts-classes.
Graand Kinetic Challenge
This year’s Graand Kinetic Challenge is themed Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead! With new energy behind the annual event for 2024, the Da Vinci Days board overcame last year’s cancellation with big plans for a full race at Crystal Lake Sports Park with wacky, zany, cool kinetic sculptures traveling from all over the West Coast.
This family friendly event is a great way to witness the creative minds of engineers and artists alike. The pageantry and racing thrill of this high stakes multi-leg challenge takes sculptures through sand, mud, water and track careening around Corvallis.
Don’t miss the events Saturday, July 20, and Sunday, July 21 at Crystal Lake Sports Park in Corvallis. Bring sunscreen, chairs, a cooler and a great big heart for all things S.T.E.A.M. You can read more about events on their Facebook page.
Oh and you can watch my talk in the 2023 TEDxCorvallis about The Great Kinetic Sculpture Race.
Visit the Philomath Museum
It’s not too late to visit the remarkable work of Patty LaDuke in the exhibition named “Bringing the World Together: Paintings and Prints by Betty LaDuke.” The exhibition of LaDuke’s works will be in the Moreland Gallery until July 13. LaDuke’s current exhibition brings together paint and social justice to highlight resilience through “colorful elaborate totems and turtles carrying messages.”
You can learn more about the internationally celebrated and award winning Oregon artist Betty LaDuke here.
When you visit an exhibit, one way to extend the benefits of viewing art is to linger on works that move you to savor the experience. If you need ideas, try the 20-6-1 rule from J Ken Spencer. Observe standing 20 feet away, then 6 feet away, and then just 1 foot away from a piece. You will discover there is quite a lot to see and savor from each distance.
Now go off and enjoy something deliciously creative that brings a big smile to your heart! Next column I am going to share practical ideas for improving your physical and mental well-being with creativity, plus to optimize the benefits with easy steps.
(Sophie Grow is the program director at Maxtivity Arts and Crafts Creative Space in Philomath. She can be reached at programs@maxtivitycreative.space).
