Roseburg, Oregon's Gathering of Artists 2008

The 40th annual Arts Festival is now history. What began as a gathering of friends and local artisans has expanded into a prestigious, juried show over the years. For a new vendor, slides are sent in far in advance of the show with hopes of being chosen to fill one of the many spaces available. For the more seasoned annual show vendor it is planning for a large crowd, long days, and some one to purchase products to make the showing successful.

Music and dance filled the newly constructed stage keeping the rows of chairs filled sometimes to standing room only as local talent strutted their stuff during the festival.

The blazing temperatures (officially 99 on Saturday but 104 on the thermometers at the UV Art Center) and smoke filled air (from recent lightening strike fires along with that drifting in from the California wildfires) did nothing to dampen the festivities being held on the grassy fields of the elderly brick building.
Porta potties, those little plastic out houses, provided facilities usually found inside were set up in a long line not too far from the food areas. The old plumbing inside could no longer support increased usage as had been possible in years past. Air conditioning inside had to be turned off to make adequate power for the food vendors and entertainment outside.

The show brought in 137 artist vendors from all over the North West, 14 not for profits and a variety of children's and family activities. Face painting and kids activities were held at the main entrance to the UVAC grounds in the clay room across from the Betty Unrah Theater. Raku (a type of Japanese pottery) painting was a popular booth for those stopping by to a one of a kind hand made creation home with them. Artists seemed to come in two varieties, those busying themselves creating product and those simply waiting to make a sale. Spectators tended to linger and admire finished product longer where working artists were adding to the "entertainment" factor of the event.

The Umpqua Valley Arts Association, a 503c Not for Profit, is fully responsible for the care of the aging brick building. It is time to think of keeping this beautiful asset to Douglas County in functioning repair. You might want to ear mark a donation to building repair and preservation to help upgrade plumbing and electrical wiring so next year's show can be a little more comfortable for the artists and patrons inside the building, and those who use the facility year round. Please contact Umpqua Valley Arts, 1624 W. Harvard Avenue, Roseburg or (541) 672-2532.