Visual Arts Week Events
First Friday Artist Highlight: Michael Boonstra
Friday, August 5 • 6:30 p.m. | Free
Farmers Market Pavilion, 85 E. 8th Ave.
Presented by Lane Arts Council
Artist Michael Boonstra speaks about the creation of Willamette River Contours, a new public art piece recently installed in the brand-new Farmers Market Pavilion. Join us to learn more about the initial call and design, how the art changed over time and the installation of the final work.
About the artist: Michael Boonstra is a visual artist based in Eugene, Oregon. His creative practice shifts between drawing, photography, installation, and sculpture. He is a founding member of Gray Space, a group of Oregon artists based in the Corvallis, Eugene, and Roseburg areas who came together in 2016 to develop site-based projects that foster connections between artists, places, histories, and communities. Boonstra’s work is included in the collections of the Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Oregon State Treasury, PacificSource, Oregon State University, the City of Portland, and Umpqua Community College. He has been an artist in residence at Playa, Djerassi, Caldera, Pine Meadow Ranch, and the Kesey Farm. Boonstra received his BFA from the University of Michigan and his MFA from the University of Oregon. He currently teaches at Oregon State University.
Muralist Meet and Greet
Wednesday, August 10 • 5:30-7 p.m. | Free
Location: WildCraft Cider Works, 232 Lincoln Street (upstairs)
Presented by Lane Arts Council
Meet some of Eugene’s prolific muralists, including Esteban Camacho Steffensen, Jessilyn Brinkerhoff, Kari Johnson and Ila Rose. Learn about the artists’ methods and engage in discussions about some of their iconic public art projects.
Photo: Jessilyn Brinkerhoff (top left), Ila Rose (top right), Esteban Camacho Steffensen (bottom left), Kari Johnson (bottom right).
This free event is presented by Lane Arts Council and sponsored by WildCraft Cider Works and Oregon Cultural Trust.
Artistic Encounters: Axon
Tuesday, August 9 • 12-1 p.m. | Free
Presented by Harmonic Laboratory and City of Eugene Cultural Services
Axon is a local singer-songwriter in the herban cowboy tradition...or what some may call "hayseed jazz." Join us for this free public performance of Western music from his heart to your ears!
Artistic Encounters: Ken Mastrogiovanni Trio
Wednesday, August 10 • 12-1 p.m. | Free
Presented by Harmonic Laboratory and City of Eugene Cultural Services
The Ken Mastrogiovanni Trio features himself on drums, Idit Shner on alto saxophone, and Garrett Baxter on bass. Join them for a set of energetic and modern approaches to their favorite jazz standards.
Artistic Encounters: Resonance
Thursday, August 11 • 12-1 p.m. | Free
Kesey Square
Presented by Harmonic Laboratory and City of Eugene Cultural Services
Resonance is a jiving three-piece psychedelic-Americana band with folksy roots from the American Southwest, and world music influences. Originally from Arizona, Resonance has traveled from New York to San Francisco and back again to hone a sound crafted by the freedom of the road. Now taking root in Eugene, OR. you're sure to get a night of rockin' boppers, stereo shockers, deep grooves and shreddin' tunes!
Hult Center Summer Series: Cuchulain
Thursday, August 11 • 5:30 p.m. | Free
Hult Center Plaza
Presented by Hult Presents
Cuchulain is a low-voiced songwriter with a wry wit. The NPR Music-featured folk singer released an album of long distance pandemic collaborations called FEAT on Nov 5, 2021 that has been called “an as-yet-unpublished portion of the Great American Songbook.” Cuchulain’s deep baritone and clever lyrics have drawn comparisons to Randy Newman, Leonard Cohen, and Johnny Cash. From rooms as big as the Kennedy Center or as small as a friend’s living room, Cuchulain’s lyrics have brought laughs and tears to audiences across the US. His Sing In The Shower single release tour will take him across the US and Europe this summer 2022.