(Liora Sponko) Liora Sponko, the executive director of the Lane Arts Council, is the new Community Arts Coordinator for the Oregon Arts Commission. Sponko rose above a highly competitive field of candidates to succeed Brian Wagner in the position, responsible for supporting the statewide arts community in ensuring access to the arts for Oregonians. “We…
(Anne Griffin | Photos courtesy of Deschutes Public Library) Pull up a stool and make a toast to a memorable book that has people around Central Oregon talking. Though recent events make it impossible to gather together like in years past, Deschutes Public Library will still celebrate A Novel Idea…Read Together in April, with Anne…
(Writing Retreat instructors Beth Wood, Anna Tivel and Tom Kimmel | Photo Courtesy of Sisters Folk Festival) It feels like months since everyone’s lives were upended by COVID-19. Sports, concerts, school, vacations, work… it’s likely no one has escaped feeling some impact, and we hope you’re doing okay. Sisters Folk Festival had five events on…
Cash Prize Awarded for Student Desert Writing Competition Hey high schoolers! Are you wandering around the house, looking for ways to pass the time while sheltering in place to avoid the coronavirus? Here’s an idea: submit a piece to the Waterston Desert Writing Prize student writing contest! The winner receives $250, is honored at our…
(Left to right) Poppy Hendrickson, Cascade Christian High School; Hannah Oberman, Oakland High School; and Tabarjah Neal, Oregon Connections Academy | Photo Courtesy of Oregon Arts Commission) Regional Poetry Out Loud competitions held in Medford and Salem on Saturday identified the nine Oregon high school students who are invited to compete for the 2020 state…
(Image | Courtesy of Deschutes Public Library) They say the future is now, but what does that mean for us? Find out with an in-depth look at the future of the economy and waste management in Central Oregon. Learn to reduce your carbon footprint with upcycled clothing and electric cars. And learn more about the…
Tickets for the 2020 Sisters Festival of Books (SFoB) go on sale March 1 at sistersfob.com. In its second year, the Festival is expanding to two full days of author presentations and adding a poetry reading event on Saturday night. Weekend passes, all-inclusive for the Friday night local author reception and Saturday and Sunday author…
Tick tock! Waterston Desert Writing Prize submissions for the 2020 prize are due by midnight April 1. If you are planning to submit, it’s time to get serious about applying. Find all the guidelines and a link for submissions at waterstondesertwritingprize.org. The Prize honors creative nonfiction that illustrates artistic excellence, sensitivity to place and desert…
(Photo | Courtesy of Michelle Davis) Lululemon, located in the Old Mill, will host a party to celebrate the release of Learning to Bend, the debut novel by Michelle Davis, on Friday, February 21 from 5-7pm. The book was just released on February 10 and is available for purchase on Amazon and other major online…
Renowned author, lepidopterist, teacher and environmental humanist Robert Michael Pyle will act as guest judge for submissions to the 2020 Waterston Desert Writing Prize. In addition, Pyle will be one of three noted panelists taking part in “A Desert Conversation” as part of the annual award event Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at the High Desert…
