Event Listings in Oregon

Photography at Oregon is proud to present:

Carol Isaak

SEASONS: Lan Su Gardens

Opening Reception: Friday, Oct. 3, 5-6 pm during Eugene's First Friday Artwalk

Artist's Talk: Sunday, Oct. 19, 2:30 pm at the Emerald Art Center, 500 Main St, Springfield, OR 97477

Lan Su Garden in downtown Portland, Oregon, is one of the most stunning and authentic Chinese scholar gardens in North America. Photographer Carol Isaak found refuge there during the pandemic and fell in love with its archways, plants, bridges, and the way modulated light would puncture its exterior walls. Isaak photographed the garden in all four seasons for this collection in an attempt to express the serenity she felt while in the garden. Chinese scholar gardens are meant to express calm and provoke contemplation. The layers and shadows in Isaak’s work do both these things. The garden is a collaboration between sister cities Portland and Suzhou, China. Lan Su is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025.

In Carol Isaak’s words: “I call myself an opportunistic photographer—an adventurer at heart. When COVID curtailed travel, the freedom to photograph regularly in Portland’s Lan Su Chinese Garden became a vital outlet, easing my longing to explore. Lan Su reconnected me with my deep love for Chinese culture. Entering the garden beneath the poetic inscription, "The Garden of Awakening Orchids," I was transported—viscerally and visually—to Suzhou, China. Suzhou, Portland’s sister city and the inspiration for Lan Su, is a place I had the privilege of visiting twice. It’s an astonishing city, rich with artistry and tradition.

As I began to explore the Garden’s mysteries, the seasons shifted—and so did my vision. Over three years, I collaborated with the space, allowing my eye to follow its changing light and subtle rhythms. In time, it became my home away from home. Floating between the magical and the material, I photographed without a plan—simply responding to the Garden.”

About Carol Isaak

Carol Isaak’s art education was at The Cooper Union (BA) in NYC where she lived for a significant time. She has been a Portland Art Museum docent/educator for twenty years, specializing in photography, Asian and contemporary art. Her affinity towards Asian subject matter has led to extensive work that has been showcased in five separate Chinese cultural festivals. Her Chinese portfolio has also been exhibited widely in the Pacific Northwest. as well as numerous exhibits in the United States. Her work is exhibited widely and collected by museums, universities and private collectors.

Visit her website at www.carolisaakphoto.com.

The 32nd annual Día de los Muertos Exhibit, opening with a Fiesta Reception on Friday, October 17, from 5 – 8 pm, features work by 29 artists from three states, five altars or ofrendas honoring the dead along with a community altar, and a Day of the Dead Gift Shop with authentic crafts from Mexico presented by Suzanne Algara of Buganvilla Imports.

The Fiesta Reception on October 17 is a festive celebration with food and entertainment. Music is provided by the community group El Taller de Son Jarocho and traditional dancing by Ballet Folklórico Colibrí.

The artwork focuses on the Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead holiday, which blends the ancient harvest rituals of the Aztec god of death and the Roman Catholic holidays of All Saints and All Souls Days. Far from a somber holiday, Día de los Muertos is a playful celebration. In the words of Mexican poet Octavio Paz: “The Mexican frequents it [death], jokes about it, sleeps with it, and celebrates it. It is one of his favorite toys and most steadfast love.”

Please feel free to bring a photo of a loved one and place it in the altares to honor those who have passed away. On view during museum hours, not open to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Step onto the glowing greens for a night of mini golf filled with spooky scenes and eerie fun at Camp Putt. No advance registration is required!

Schedule
Oct. 3-12 and Oct. 19-Nov. 1 (Please note: Ghostly Golf is closed from Oct. 13–18.)
Sunday-Thursday: 6-9:30 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 6-10 p.m.

Alexandre Dossin and his studio will offer a dazzling pianistic evening at the opera with exciting paraphrases by Franz Liszt. In the program, scenes and arias from operas by Gounod, Wagner, Tchaikovsky, Glinka and Verdi.

FREE

Photography at Oregon is proud to present:

Carol Isaak

SEASONS: Lan Su Gardens

Opening Reception: Friday, Oct. 3, 5-6 pm during Eugene's First Friday Artwalk

Artist's Talk: Sunday, Oct. 19, 2:30 pm at the Emerald Art Center, 500 Main St, Springfield, OR 97477

Lan Su Garden in downtown Portland, Oregon, is one of the most stunning and authentic Chinese scholar gardens in North America. Photographer Carol Isaak found refuge there during the pandemic and fell in love with its archways, plants, bridges, and the way modulated light would puncture its exterior walls. Isaak photographed the garden in all four seasons for this collection in an attempt to express the serenity she felt while in the garden. Chinese scholar gardens are meant to express calm and provoke contemplation. The layers and shadows in Isaak’s work do both these things. The garden is a collaboration between sister cities Portland and Suzhou, China. Lan Su is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025.

In Carol Isaak’s words: “I call myself an opportunistic photographer—an adventurer at heart. When COVID curtailed travel, the freedom to photograph regularly in Portland’s Lan Su Chinese Garden became a vital outlet, easing my longing to explore. Lan Su reconnected me with my deep love for Chinese culture. Entering the garden beneath the poetic inscription, "The Garden of Awakening Orchids," I was transported—viscerally and visually—to Suzhou, China. Suzhou, Portland’s sister city and the inspiration for Lan Su, is a place I had the privilege of visiting twice. It’s an astonishing city, rich with artistry and tradition.

As I began to explore the Garden’s mysteries, the seasons shifted—and so did my vision. Over three years, I collaborated with the space, allowing my eye to follow its changing light and subtle rhythms. In time, it became my home away from home. Floating between the magical and the material, I photographed without a plan—simply responding to the Garden.”

About Carol Isaak

Carol Isaak’s art education was at The Cooper Union (BA) in NYC where she lived for a significant time. She has been a Portland Art Museum docent/educator for twenty years, specializing in photography, Asian and contemporary art. Her affinity towards Asian subject matter has led to extensive work that has been showcased in five separate Chinese cultural festivals. Her Chinese portfolio has also been exhibited widely in the Pacific Northwest. as well as numerous exhibits in the United States. Her work is exhibited widely and collected by museums, universities and private collectors.

Visit her website at www.carolisaakphoto.com.

The 32nd annual Día de los Muertos Exhibit, opening with a Fiesta Reception on Friday, October 17, from 5 – 8 pm, features work by 29 artists from three states, five altars or ofrendas honoring the dead along with a community altar, and a Day of the Dead Gift Shop with authentic crafts from Mexico presented by Suzanne Algara of Buganvilla Imports.

The Fiesta Reception on October 17 is a festive celebration with food and entertainment. Music is provided by the community group El Taller de Son Jarocho and traditional dancing by Ballet Folklórico Colibrí.

The artwork focuses on the Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead holiday, which blends the ancient harvest rituals of the Aztec god of death and the Roman Catholic holidays of All Saints and All Souls Days. Far from a somber holiday, Día de los Muertos is a playful celebration. In the words of Mexican poet Octavio Paz: “The Mexican frequents it [death], jokes about it, sleeps with it, and celebrates it. It is one of his favorite toys and most steadfast love.”

Please feel free to bring a photo of a loved one and place it in the altares to honor those who have passed away. On view during museum hours, not open to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Join us for a spooky, fun-filled writing retreat where you’ll write and revise a short ghost story in the company of other writers.

What’s it all about?
For over a decade, Wordcrafters has hosted the bewitching Ghost Story Weekend. Created by the illustrious Elizabeth Engstrom, this generative writing retreat is a must for anyone who loves a good ghost story.

Picture this: four days at the Oregon Coast, crafting ghostly tales, and sharing them with fellow writers. You’ll enjoy good company, good chocolate, and good stories. From Thursday evening to Sunday morning, you’ll dive into the art of ghost story writing and emerge with a tale of your own to tell.

This fun, generative writing retreat takes place in Newport, Oregon at the newly renovated Hotel Sylvia, and welcomes writers of all levels.

Your Spirit Guide
Our Ghost Story spirit guide is Portland-based author Erick Mertz. He’ll inspire you with talks on ghost stories, story structure, and how to feed your monster. Throughout the weekend, Erick will be available for one-on-one guidance, sharing his story wisdom during meals and gatherings, while writing his own story alongside you.

A NOSTALGIC, LITERARY-THEMED RETREAT
Step into a space designed for reflection, where you can reconnect with yourself and rekindle old passions. The literary-themed rooms at Hotel Sylvia in Newport, Oregon, celebrate authors and genres that have shaped storytelling. Each room has its own character, filled with books and details that invite you to unplug and experience a different time, sparking your curiosity. Find comfort in a quiet corner where you can read, rest, and recharge.

What to expect
-Thursday evening: optional dinner (not included), speculative story discussion and instruction, and the official start of writing
-Friday: dedicated writing time, group meals, a craft talk, and small-group critique of your first draft.
-Saturday: dedicated writing time to work on your draft, group meals, and, in the evening, gathering around the fire to share your fantastical story.
-Sunday morning: light feedback session to help you further refine your tale.

Don’t be scared!
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned writer, you’ll find a supportive community here.

Details
Participants stay in their own private room at the newly renovated Hotel Sylvia (unless you want to find a fellow writer to share with) and come to the Wordcrafters Haunted Library in the same location for meals, community, and writing time.

You’re welcome to join in as many (or as few) group activities as your possibly introverted writer heart desires.

Tuition: Includes all instruction, five meals (breakfast daily and lunch on Friday and Saturday, and plenty of treats. Register for your room separately. Rooms are $199 and up/night.

Attendance: Limited to 16 participants, plus the instructor.

Dates: Thursday-Sunday, Oct 23-26. 2025

Times: 4 pm Thursday-12 pm Sunday

Location: Hotel Sylvia, Newport, OR

Price:
Access: $337 – if you have limited access to funds
Sustainer: $449 – the actual cost of this program
Patron: $559 – if you have more access to resources and can support others who need to pay less

Choose the ticket price that best reflects your financial capacity. We trust you to discern your level of need or ability to help others with less access to wealth.

Learn more about our Pay From Your Heart Pricing: https://wordcrafters.org/pfyh/

Scholarship info: We want everyone to have access to our writing programs. If you need additional support, please complete our scholarship request form: https://wordcrafters.org/scholarships/

About the instructor
Erick Mertz (he, him) is an author, born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, a place he is still lucky enough to call his home.

University of Oregon 2025-26 Visiting Artist Lecture Series
Presented by the Department of Art and Center for Art Research

Abyssal is about what is on land and in the ocean and what connects the two through migration and the ocean itself. It traces the history of porcelain, of Europe and Asia, of transpacific migration, of women’s labor, and its lack of recognition, of the intertidal. When first imported to Europe, porcelain was a mystery. True Chinese porcelain is luminous—when held up to the light, it appears translucent. Europeans didn’t know how it was made, conjecturing that it was made from seashells. Kings hired alchemists to find the recipe for porcelain, and they eventually made it themselves with a different type of clay. This initial contact with Asia and China set up the dynamic of desire—the mystery of the object that underpins the West’s view of the East. This dynamic carries through to the present day culturally, specifically through the desire and objectification of Asian women’s bodies. Bodies that labor and give care.

Patty Chang is a Los Angeles based artist and educator using performance, video, installation and narrative forms. Notable awards and honors include Kohler Maker Space Residency in Sheboygan, WI, Anonymous Was a Woman Grant, and Creative Capital Grant amongst others. In addition to numerous residencies, and fellowships, her work has exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art, Guggenheim Museum, New Museum, M+ Museum in Hong Kong, MAAP in Brisbane, Australia, Museum of Contemporary Art and Design in Manila, Philippines, and Moderna Museet in Stockholm, Sweden. Chang currently teaches at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.

This lecture is made possible by the George and Matilda Fowler Endowment Fund.