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Springfield, OR
Arts & CultureThe City of Springfield is rich with city-sponsored art, cooperative partnerships and businesses. Springfield has five main art venues: Springfield Arts Commission (SAC), Emerald Empire Arts Association (EEAA), Springfield Renaissance Development Corporation (SRDC), Springfield Museum and the Springfield Library.
The City Council established the Springfield Arts Commission in 1986 at the end of the Centennial Celebration. The purpose of the nine-member commission was to begin “Art Alley” by placing murals throughout the city and to encourage emerging arts groups in the community. Today, placing murals continues to be the primary goal; other goals include teaching art to area children in the form of free workshops.
To start you on your way to enjoying the murals and sculptures on display downtown, the SAC has produced a brochure that is available at the Chamber of Commerce, the EEAA and the library. This brochure contains an in-depth tour of exhibits, including The McKenzie River Mural at 145 Pioneer Parkway East. This beautiful mural portrays the McKenzie River flowing from the Cascade Mountains through the City of Springfield. It was painted by Anne Woodruff Murray in 1991. SAC sponsored the large mural.
The Moderns, located on the west side of 602 Main Street, is a mural of a Paris café scene from the early 1900s. Painted by Patrick Curtis in 1992, the mural features famous artists and authors such as Mary Cassett, Van Gogh, Gauguin and Man Ray, to name a few; it was sponsored by SAC.
The Oregon Trail Mural is the largest mural commissioned by SAC and was created by Anne Woodruff Murray as part of the Sesquicentennial Celebration of Oregon in 1993. The mural is located on the east wall of the Gerlach building, now known as EEAA at 5th and
Main, and honors both the pioneers and Native Americans.
The Jesse Bostelle Memorial Mural, located at the corner of 5th and Main on the west side of the street, was created in memory of labor activist Jesse Bostelle and celebrates workers in the area. The artist Alison McNair worked with Springfield teens to create this project with the following sponsors: SEIU Local 503, Lane Arts Council and SAC.
The City Hall Gallery is located near the Library in City Hall and is managed and operated by SAC. Regional artists display 2- and 3-D works in an ongoing show that changes monthly. Every year local students place an exhibit of their art from school art classes in the gallery. On permanent display is a photo reproduction of the City of Springfield, a model of a classic McKenzie River drift boat, and a mosaic of the city seal.
The annual Springfield Library Puppet Festival has been entertaining children and families for 11 years. Held in February, the festival features award-winning shows by professional puppet troupes that give live performances, as well as hands-on workshops for children. More than 1,200 children and their families attended the festival in 2004. The Puppet Festival is presented by the Springfield Public Library and the Springfield Arts Commission and is sponsored by Pacific Continental Bank. Call the Springfield Public Library for more information at (541) 726-3765.
In 2003, the City of Springfield and the SAC were given 27 pieces of art from internationally known artist Luigi Testa to display in the city or sell to further arts in Springfield. Testa is known for his abstract metal sculptures. He also included in his gift some of his original paintings. These gifts were significant for the City and SAC. Some of Testa’s sculptures can be seen at City Hall and the Library; a few have been placed on loan to local businesses, and some are also on permanent display in Chicago’s Sculpture Park.
The SAC also gives workshops for children all year long on different fields of art. These include painting, collage making, Chinese line painting, dance, and making cards and wrapping paper. Contact the library for upcoming workshop dates.
Emerald Empire Art Association is located on the corner of 5th and Main streets downtown. EEAA is a growing group of artists working together to display and hold classes on several forms of art. The Emerald Empire Art Gallery is full of visual arts and 2- and 3-D work and is a major center for the county arts. The EEAA has just finished an extensive interior and exterior renovation of its building. The renovation took several years and hard work to complete. Originally built in 1909, the building has been used for many purposes. Each month the gallery shows different artists’ work in the large, well-lit, beautiful venue. The front of the gallery holds the Grace Johannson Gift Shop, where you can purchase original art from many regional artists. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For further information on upcoming shows, call (541) 726-8595.
Once a year, EEAA hosts the Springfield Mayor’s Art Show, which is open to all ages. Entries are limited to two pieces. The event was held from October 12 through November 12 in 2004. A reception was held on opening day to honor all artists. Displaying everyone’s work is a huge undertaking, and it is a great forum to promote art for children, as well as artists of all ages and stages. Awards were given by Mayor’s Choice, the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Farm Credit Service of Harrisburg, Northwest Community Credit Union, Pacific Continental Bank, Springfield Arts Commission and many individuals.
A showing of the National Tour of “The American Spirit Quilt Project” was held November 20 through December 5 in 2004, sponsored by The Quilt Heritage Foundation and EEAA. The featured quilt was “Ground Zero” by Lois Jarvis of Madison, Wisconsin. This piece is quilted in the Traditional Lone Star pattern, with images of over 700 people who perished on September 11, 2001. The design expresses the strong spirit that will allow the nation to rebound from the tragedy. Traveling with the show were 12 quilts expressing the “Spirit of America.”
A considerable contributor to the arts in Springfield, the Springfield Renaissance Development Corporation is working on the Richard E. Wildish Community Theater, which is scheduled to open in 2005. The venue will present all types of performing arts from the region. It will seat 284 and is on the site of the old McKenzie Theater on Main Street downtown.
Springfield Museum is located in the 1911 Oregon Power Company substation at 590 Main Street; the museum has been located on this spot since 1981. Inside the museum, The Springfield Interpretive Center houses a history of Springfield with a permanent display for all to enjoy. The Kathleen Jensen Gallery hosts eight to 10 exhibits annually. These exhibits include historic collections as well as local contemporary artwork. One of the exhibits featured during the spring of 2004 was “The Evolution of Fishing Tackle.” This exhibit featured artifacts from Western writer Zane Grey’s collection. In January through March 2005, the museum hosted an exhibit titled “The Fabulous Fifties.”
The Museum store features heritage-themed gifts and works of local artists. The museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, call (541) 726-3677.
There are many more art exhibits to view, including those
at the Springfield Library. Outside the library and City Hall is the “Balancing Act” sculpture by Jerry Williams, which features a rhino balancing a gymnast holding a bird of prey. The Library is at 225 5th Street, at the corner of 5th and A streets. Throughout the Library there are over 20 pieces of original art and prints. A neon installment in the Young Adult area states the “Rites of Passage” by neon artist Neal Connor. Five playful paintings by Charles Lucier are hung for children. There is also an original abstract steel sculpture by Luigi Testa. Pick up a brochure at the Library.
Other cultural attractions and historic areas in Springfield include the restored historic Springfield Southern Pacific Railroad Depot, the “White Horse” that greets drivers at the southwest entrance to Springfield over the Willamette River, and historical homes in the Washburne neighborhood. Our wonderful town of Springfield holds much history, as well as an abundance of new growth.
Janelle McMahan is a longtime Springfield resident who is also a glass artist, a member of Emerald Empire Arts and the presiding chair of Springfield Arts Commission.
