More than a decade ago, a crew of self-proclaimed “desert rats” dreamed up the idea of a photographic collection dedicated solely to the beauty of Oregon’s high desert. Today, that annual collection is in its 12th year as the Oregon Natural Desert Association’s iconic Wild Desert Calendar.
This year, they’ll raise a glass to the photographers of the 2016 Wild Desert Calendar at the Deschutes Brewery Public House in downtown Bend. Roughly 20 images, some from this year’s calendar and others from previous years, will be on display upstairs in the Tap Room.
Featured photographers include Greg Burke, Jim Davis, Tyson Fisher and more.
The event will feature live music from Coyote Willow and special release desert-inspired beers, including a Central Oregon saison and Painted Wonder Red IPA, which takes its name from the high desert’s Sutton Mountain and the nearby Painted Hills.
Greg Burke (www.pbase.com/gb_photo) and Jim Davis (http://desertdustimages.blogspot.com), both of Bend, are dedicated photographers who were part of the original team that brought the calendar to life. The quality of their work has drawn other artists to participate over the years, like Tyson Fisher (www.tysonfisher.com), a professional artist based in Silverton, and avid high desert photographers like Jon Muyskens, Barb Rumer, Jamey Pyles and Dave Rein.
The calendar has become a visual feast of Oregon’s desert landscapes more spectacular with every passing year. It’s now available at retail outlets across the state, including Newport Market in Bend and Powell’s Books in Portland. The calendar is also available for sale online at ONDA.org/calendar.
Davis says he’s proud of the role the calendar has played over the years in introducing others to the wonder of the high desert.
“These places in Oregon are wonderful, you just have to capture them,” he says. “The calendar provides a way to show how spectacular these places really are. It’s the only collection of photography dedicated solely tothe Oregon desert.”
Founded more than 25 years ago, the Oregon Natural Desert Association is a Bend-based nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting, defending and restoring Oregon’s high desert. Its focus areas include the Central Oregon Backcountry, the John Day River Basin, the Greater Hart-Sheldon Region and the Owyhee Canyonlands.
ONDA.org.
2016 Wild Desert Calendar Release Party at Deschutes Brewery Public House, 1044 NW Bond St., downtown Bend November 6 from 5-8pm as a part of Bend’s First Friday artwalk.
This event is free and open to the public. Photos will be on display on Deschutes’s downstairs “red wall” the entire month of November.