Two Philomath-area artists were among those from around the state receiving Career Opportunity Program grant awards from the Oregon Arts Commission and the Ford Family Foundation, the organizations announced this week.
Vicki Lynn Wilson, who operates a private studio in Philomath, will receive $1,850 from the Oregon Arts Commission and $2,500 from the Ford Family Foundation to support the creation of a body of work to be shown at The Arts Center in Corvallis and Oregon Potters Association Ceramic Showcase, as well as travel and participation expenses associated with the Ceramic Showcase.
David Paul Bayles, who lives in the Philomath vicinity, will receive $2,000 from the Oregon Arts Commission to support a scheduled solo exhibition of his long-term photographic project titled, “FOLLOWING FIRE – A Resilient Forest / An Uncertain Future” at Blue Sky Gallery in Portland in January.
In all, the commission and foundation awarded $105,103 to 24 artists for career development projects. The awards include $44,202 from the Oregon Arts Commission for all artistic disciplines and $60,901 in supplemental funding for 16 established visual artists through a partnership with the Ford Family Foundation’s Visual Arts Program. Individual grants range from $800 to $8,500.
Career Opportunity Program grants support individual Oregon artists by enabling them to take advantage of timely opportunities that enhance their artistic careers. Most grants support the artists’ participation in residencies, exhibitions or performance opportunities.
“This grant program invests in the career growth of talented Oregon artists,” said Roberta Lavadour, Oregon Arts commissioner, who led one of two review panels. “That support is a powerful way for artists to become better recognized and enhance their arts resumes.”
The Ford Family Foundation funds are available to established Oregon visual artists who are producing new work in the fields of contemporary art and craft.