The Shortcut - Events in Oregon

The Museum of Natural and Cultural History offers free admission on the first Friday of the month. Investigate Oregon's amazing fossils and ecosystems, and delve into its cultural history—from the First Americans at Paisley Caves to the dynamic cultures of today's Tribes.  

A sunny, summer morning of duets from Dan Tepfer, “one of the moment's most adventurous and relevant musicians,” (New York Magazine) and the “blindingly impressive” (New York Times) Emi Ferguson. Includes works from J.S. Bach and Italian priest, Francesco Antonio Bonporti, who influenced Bach’s 15 Inventions. Enjoy complimentary coffee and pastries!

The Coastal Arts Guild invites the public to participate in a free community art event! "Past, Present, Future: U.S. at 250" will be a 3-day exhibit over the 4th-of-July weekend in the gazebo at Newport's Don and Ann Davis Park, featuring art and writing on the theme of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Anyone can send a postcard with their original art and/or writing on the topic of the United States of America's past, present and future. Postcards received will be displayed in the gazebo July 3-5, 10am-6pm, and all entries will be scanned for a parallel online exhibit.

"Last year, we held a similar mail-art event, and the Coastal Arts guild received over 260 postcards (and some multi-paged entries---they only need to fold to 5" by 7") created by community members and also from people from across the country and even across the oceans. They included a range of work, including fine art, children's drawings, and personal stories," said Carol Shenk, Coastal Arts Guild president.

"Our goal is to invite people to express themselves. All viewpoints are welcome, and entries can be anonymous. America's 250th is being recognized by many organizations as well as by government agencies, but it can mean different things to different people. The idea of Past, Present, Future is to invite folks to consider and share what the 250th birthday of the United States means to them individually. Responses might be personal, political, historical, aspirational...in the form of images or writing/poetry."

Send postcards (dimensions up to 5" x 7"): Past, Present, Future c/o CAG, PO Box 603, Newport, OR, 97365. Submissions must be received by July 1 to be included in the exhibition. Email coastalartsguild@gmail.com with questions.

For details and tips on sending postcards the exhibition, and to view images from last year's mail-art event, visit postcardstothefuture.org, which is also where the online exhibition will be posted, coincident with the pop-up exhibition in the Don and Ann Davis Park gazebo. We look forward to another year of community art!

The Oregon Asian Celebration Art Exhibition is an all-comers community art show celebrating local artists inspired by the arts of Asia. The exhibit is on view from June 25 – July 12, 2026 during museum hours.

The Coastal Arts Guild presents Past, Present, Future: the US @ 250, a community mail-art exhibit over the 4th of July weekend in the gazebo at Newport's Don and Ann Davis Park. Enjoy diverse art and writing in postcard format, created in response to the United States' 250th Anniversary. Visitors are invited make their own postcards on site to be included in the show. Free, all ages. Open 10-6 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, July 3-5. There will be a reception on Saturday July 4, starting at 3-pm, with music from Barbara Turrill starting at 4. For more information visit postcardstothefuture.org.

New Zone Events – July 2026

In addition to the eclectic mix of contemporary and traditional art created by the New Zone members, we will be hosting three Featured-Artist special exhibits during the month of July.

Opening Reception: First Friday, July 3rd, from 5:30 – 8:00 during the First Friday Artwalk.

Sarjé Haynes – Shift Happens
“I used to seek change. Now it seeks me.”

"Shift Happens" is dedicated to threshold moments in life. This series is painted using an iterative ink-blotting method. Each piece imperfectly mirrors another in the series, reflecting how one decision can completely change an outcome.

The show features only originals--no prints. A variety of "Mystery Seconds" are offered for budget-conscious collectors.

Corla Bertrand – Soul Stirrings
A Cauldron of Magic and Revelation

This collage presentation bridges the gap between tangible reality and the ethereal landscape of the subconscious mind. It stirs a cauldron of shadow ambivalence and necessary light, geometry and life, tension and wonder. It intentionally creates emotional weight, while giving form to the artist’s nightly dreams and openness to divine revelation.

And, in our Klausmeier Room

Alyssa Cody and Kathryn Veiga – Welcome Home
Meet Me in the Underbelly

The Welcome Home exhibit is a series of ceremonies. Using acrylic, pressed flowers, the written word, and other objects that inspire, artists Alyssa Cody and Kathryn Veiga channel the trickster archetype, a conduit for creative processing as they reckon with the grief of loss and the gift of life. For what greater joy is there in life than making art with your friends?

New Zone Gallery is located centrally in downtown Eugene at 110 East 11th on the corner of Oak Street.
Gallery hours: 12 – 6 pm Tuesday – Sunday

A free concert from members of the elite Berwick Academy for Historically Informed Performance.

Join us for the opening reception of The Spaciousness of Change, featuring work by Kathleen Caprario, Sarah Grew, Sandra Honda, and Mei-ling Lee.
Through photography, sculpture, sound, and mixed media installations, the exhibition explores how climate change is transforming Central Oregon’s landscapes and communities. Using materials such as wildfire soot, sheetrock dust, textiles, plaster, oral histories, and environmental sound, the artists examine resilience across species, ecosystems, and human communities while offering hopeful visions for adapting to a changing world.

Receptions:
First Friday Opening: Friday, Jul 3, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Second First Friday: Friday, Aug 7, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
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On View:
July 3 – August 28
Wednesday - Saturday, 11 AM-4 PM beginning July 3.
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Artist Talk:
Thursday, August 27, 5:30 – 7:00 PM Register here

Eugene, OR – Explore Downtown Eugene’s vibrant arts scene during the July 3rd First Friday ArtWalk. Stop by the Farmers Market Pavilion (85 E 8th Ave) from 5:30pm-8:00pm to explore the Artist Marketplace and pick up your ArtWalk Guide before visiting the many galleries and arts venues of downtown Eugene. The monthly First Friday ArtWalk is presented by Lane Arts Council and is always FREE.

Farmers Market Pavilion Highlight: Words Out Loud: Poetry & Prose Open Mic, 5:45pm-8:00pm
Wordcrafters brings spoken word to the ArtWalk with Words Out Loud. Join MC Jorah LaFleur and spoken word performers Wynter Eddins and Santiago Navia as they kick off the evening, followed by a community open mic. Words Out Loud is an all-ages, open mic event for all wordcraft genres--poetry, prose, fiction, nonfiction, storytelling, all of it welcome. Participation is free!

July First Friday ArtWalk Sponsors:
Oregon Country Fair is just around the corner! We celebrate together July 11-13 in Veneta over a weekend filled with glorious food, handcrafted wares, and every form of performance art you can imagine. The Fair is tucked under shade trees and winds along the Long Tom River for a cool and transformative experience. Hop on the free LTD shuttle bus or load up your car with your best friends and enjoy the most exciting weekend all year. Find more information, including entertainment, tickets, and helpful tips, at www.oregoncountryfair.org.

ArtWalk is supported by funds from the Oregon Arts Commission, a policy-making and advisory body within the Oregon Business Development Department, funded by the State of Oregon and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Full Schedule and Information: www.sisters4thfest.com

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Presented by Rotary Club of Sisters.
Short stack, sausage, and fixings. $12/plate.

7:30 - 10:00 AM

RED, WHITE & BLUE 3-MILER + LIL’ FIRECRACKER DASH

7:45 AM

REGISTER HERE

Presented by Run Sisters Run.

Registration required. Prizes for winners and best dressed. Free pancake breakfast with sign-up! Proceeds benefit Sisters Outlaw Cross Country team.

OPENING CEREMONIES

Welcome and Pledge of Allegiance by Sisters Veterans.

9:00 AM

“KIDS ON WHEELS” PARADE

9:30 AM

Presented by Blazin Saddles.

For kids 12 and under. Head to the Blazin Saddles tent early to decorate your bike, scooter, wagon, stroller or other non-motorized wheels, and to get a safety check-up!

Then, line up at the SW corner of the park starting at 9:15, and get ready to strut your stuff around the perimeter of Fir Street Park!

No registration required. Parent chaperones welcome. Decorations provided free of charge.

LIVE MUSIC BY DRY CANYON STAMPEDE

10:00 - 11:00 AM

Main stage sponsored by Corrie Lake & Debbi McCune Realtors.

Dry Canyon Stampede is a dynamic country band focusing on dance-hall classics and modern country favorites.

GUIDED LINE DANCING

With instruction by Carol Ast. Meet us on the big lawn for a boot scootin’ boogie!

10:30 - 11:00 AM

WATER BALLOON TOSS

All ages welcome. Meet on the big lawn, and get ready to get soaked!

11:00 - 11:15 AM

MORE LIVE MUSIC BY DRY CANYON STAMPEDE

11:15 AM - Noon

Main stage sponsored by Corrie Lake & Debbi McCune Realtors.

PIE-EATING CONTEST

Presented by Sisters Bakery.

The grand finale. Kids (16 and under) and Adult (co-ed) divisions. Throw your name in the hat at the Explore Sisters booth. Participants selected via on-site drawing.

5” chocolate cream pies for the kids, 9” deep dish marionberry pies for the grown-ups. Winners get custom pie plates from Canyon Creek Pottery, a bottle of Tums…and eternal bragging rights.