AfterSchool and SummerArts

We work in collaboration with communities, schools, and other organizations to build high-quality, affordable non-school time arts activities for children and families.

“Inspired by Nature” takes flight at the YouthArts Explorers Club in Veneta, Oregon

Thank you! to The Charlotte Martin Foundation!

The Fern Ridge area, located 20 miles west of Eugene, includes Fern Ridge Lake and the rural communities of Veneta, Elmira, Walton, and Noti. The natural landscape supports one of the largest bird watching and wildlife refuges in Lane County. On International Bird Migration Day, the community celebrates their unique landscape with the Wings and Wine Festival, May 10, 2008. During this celebration, the town, vineyards, and wildlife areas, join together to host a variety of walks, talks, and demonstrations about bird migration, species, and habitats in the local area.

The finished artwork on display at the Applegate Galley, May 7, with the TeenTeam who worked with lead Artist Annette Rottweiler. Artwork will be installed in Veneta City Hall.

Details: As part of this year’s celebration, the “Inspired by Nature” artwork will hang at the community center’s youth art exhibit featuring aviary images created by local youth. The intergenerational community arts project, supported by the Charlotte Martin Foundation through a grant to Lane Arts Council, will engage local youth from kindergarten through high school. The “Inspired by Nature” project took flight this January and February (2008) as 72 Veneta Elementary School students began building art and natural science skills through the study of bird migration, habitats, and species found in their rich local environment. Working with local artist and bird enthusiast Annette Rothweiler, students (Grades K-5) at the Explorers Club After-school Program practiced skills of scientific observation, drawing, watercolor, and clay tile design. Colored pencil drawings of the Mallard Duck, Goldfinch, Osprey, Red-tailed hawk and Warbler came to life with an amazing sense of accuracy and detail. The images were then transferred to clay tiles, glazed, and fired during the first phase. During March, teen artists will work with elementary students in the design and execution of the community artwork celebrating the area’s rich natural environment. The finished piece will then be gifted to the City of Veneta during the May event in thanks for the 15 years of scholarship support given to the summer arts program.

Background: Explorers Club, a YouthArts project of Lane Arts Council, is Veneta Elementary School's 21st Century Learning Center, developed in partnership with the Fern Ridge School District, the Fern Ridge Library District, and Lane Arts Council. It is supported by an Oregon Department of Education’s 21st Century Learning Center grant, an Oregon County Fair Endowment grant though Applegate Gallery, and community support through the City of Veneta, Mid-Lane Community Chest, Applegate Medical Associates, and other business and individual donations.

Current Program: Veneta:

2007-08 teaching artists include Robin Marks-Fife, Caroline Quinn, Andrea DiPalma, Alseny Yansane, Merit Ferrell, Andrew (Teem) the Great, Annette Rothweiler, and Mindy Brady. Jenny Ramsey is the energetic Explorer's Club coordinator.

Explorers Club, after-school and summer at Veneta Elementary School, concluded its Summer 2007 session with Color Blast, Clowning and Carnival Bayou Style with Carnivale de Veneta featuring Etouffe and Won Tan Namura Drum and Dance Ensemble, an Art Exhibit, Figaro's Bake-Off, games, food, prizes.

Explorers Club, Veneta Elementary's 21st Century Learning Center was developed in partnership with the Fern Ridge School District, Veneta Elementary School, the Fern Ridge Library District, and Lane Arts Council. It is supported by an Oregon Department of Education?s 21st Century Learning Center grant through the Lane Arts Council, an Oregon County Fair Endowment grant though Applegate Gallery and community support through the: City of Veneta, Mid-Lane Community Chest, Applegate Medical Associates, and other business and individual donations.
More: Explorers Club

County-wide: For more information about YouthArts contact us, 541/485-2278.