Tag Archives: art

Hood River becomes gateway to images straight from Van Gogh

25 Jul

Get like Vincent (Van Gogh, that is) during Van Gogh Days Aug. 4-5 at Rasmussen Farms southeast of Hood River.

For the 10th year running, the farm invites fans of Van Gogh — or sunflowers — to enjoy the big bloomin’ things, take pictures, or paint their own version of work that has come to symbolize Van Gogh (whose work appeared earlier this spring at a one-of-a-kind show in Philadelphia).

Van Gogh made sunflowers famous in a series of works completed ion a burst of creativity from 1887-89.

Rasmussen Farms features 70 named varieties of sunflowers in the sunflower gardens, and among the vines of its 10-acre pumpkin field. Admission and parking are free.

The weekend of Aug. 4-5 also offers a quilt Show and Sale featuring lovely handmade quilts — including some with sunflower themes –live music, free tastes of award-winning wines from Hood River Vineyards, and barbecue favorites from Hood River’s Charburger restaurant.

The Rasmussen sales barn will feature sunflower desserts, sunflower recipes and other surprises throughout the weekend.

Rasmussen Farms is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Located at 3020 Thomsen Road, six miles south of Hood River, Oregon. Travel I-84 to Hood River exit 64, then south on Highway 35. Follow the blue state highway signs to the intersection of Highway 35 and Fir Mountain Road, then drive a scenic mile to the farm (follow the signs).

For information, call 541-386-4622 or 800-548-2243, or visit the website.

 

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Hood River First Friday puts emphasis on fun, friends — and downtown

2 May

First Friday returns to downtown Hood River this week — May 4, to be precise.

Yes, we know, every month has a first Friday. But for those of you new to the concept, Hood River’s First Friday is a special event, engaging the entire downtown business community during the months from May through October.

The Hood River Hotel, always at the center of downtown buzz, will dish up several reasons to visit. We’re hosting a bake sale to benefit the girls golf team at Hood River Valley High School. We’ll also host a local jewelry artist, and open our dining room for cocktails and a limited menu of sandwiches and other light fare.

Many downtown businesses — typically closing doors between 5 and 6 — opt to stay open a couple of hours longer on First Friday. Some host special events — artists, music, refreshments. The streets come alive with activities for kids. Musicians and crafts people just show up and plop their stuff everywhere (it’s not really how it’s supposed to work, but it happens anyway).

And, during peak months of summer, the sponsoring Hood River County Chamber of Commerce tries to arrange for closure of Oak Avenue and connecting side streets in the heart of downtown. That’s so crowds can spill into the street, and the asphalt can become home to myriad activities — dancers, music, friendly competition.

In short, it’s a three-ring circus.

First Friday in Hood River is subject to constant change. It all grew out of the Columbia Center for the Arts holding a reception for its newest gallery show on the first Friday of the month (this month, from 6 to 8 p.m., the gallery debuts its “Interpretations” show).

Then the former Downtown Business Association encouraged other businesses to host artists at the same time, which they did for a few years. Then the crowds grew so large that the streets were closed. Then the artists stopped showing work inside businesses, but businesses stayed open anyway, for people who couldn’t get there during regular hours.

The fun starts at 5 p.m. Be here.

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Mosier artist Maher to show water works at The Pines 1852

18 Apr

Mosier artist John Maher will be showing work from his series, “Water Works,” at The Pines 1852 tasting room during the month of April.

Surface Beauty, an example of John Maher's art and love of water.

Large-scale work and smaller pieces will feature the artist’s fascination with water.

The artist’s reception is 4 to 7 p.m. April 28.

This is the largest collection of Maher’s work to be shown in the Gorge to date.

Maher, who rose to broader public attention through his Running Fruit Ladders project, has shown his work at Maryhill Museum of Art, Coos Art Museum and Columbia Center for the Arts.

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