Community Calendar

Digital Paintings by Bruce Bayard and Martin Steele at Rogue Gallery and Art Center

Exhibition Dates: Friday, April 25 - Friday, June 6
Artist Talk: Saturday, April 26, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Opening Reception: Friday, May 16, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Currently featured in the Main Gallery at Rogue Gallery and Art Center are Digital Paintings by Bruce Bayard and Martin Steele. At the intersection of digital image collage and video performance, Bruce's work is a fusion of visual elements and abstract narrative through innovative mediums. He navigates the language of symbols to convey layered meanings. Embracing randomness as a creative tool, Bruce's work invites his viewers to engage with evolving narratives shaped by chance. In this realm of digital expression, he seeks to challenge perceptions and provoke thought, inviting an exploration into the worlds of space between personal and public. Similarly, Martin has always loved the term ‘snapshot’ because it perfectly captures the idea of what happens in photographs. Sourcing imagery from his prodigious and idiosyncratic archive that contains thousands of images, Martin works in a characteristic palette of saturated hues and chromatic aberrations to invite his viewers into a composition of visual rubble and a unique version of history.

For more information, please visit www.roguegallery.org.

Step into the world of Saturday Speaker Series: Virginia Howard Mullan "Humboldt County Courts World’s Fairs Florence Harrie (1889–1981, Karuk) and experience the legacy of a master weaver. Born at Katimîin, the Karuk center of the world, Florence returned to her ancestral home after boarding school to learn the art of gathering and weaving from renowned weavers like Elizabeth Hickox. She made her living through her craft and today, her great-grandson, Bradley Marshall, has lovingly curated this exhibit to bring her story home.
What makes this exhibit so special?
Florence’s personal weaving chair
The last basket she ever wove
A ceremonial dress made by her descendants that still dances in ceremonies today
Join us at the Clarke Historical Museum and immerse yourself in this deeply personal tribute to a Karuk cultural icon. Don’t miss it!
February 8 - May 31, 2025 at the Clarke Historical Museum

The award-winning Oregon State University Land Steward training helps landowners learn about their property and develop a management plan. This 11-week program covers critical topics like wildfire risk reduction, forests, soil health, wildlife, habitat, pasture management, stream care, water capture and distribution, and much more.

We noticed that a lot of places in Ashland do something cool for First Friday. So, sure, we'll be followers this time.

We're calling it First Friday Flights! Or maybe we're calling it the Empanada Throwdown!

Either way, it's a music, food, and wine event that you should definitely join! Here's the deal:

Freshly made local empanadas from Caba Empanadas
Lovely fall wines from Resistance Wine Co (that's us!)

You could pretty much hang out all day if you want. But if you just want to pop in for a few empanadas/pours, you could have plenty of time left to visit all the other galleries.

Also, we have some art so you don't just have to look at that weird friend you invited... But, still, bring your friends.

$20.00 Wine tastings + whatever an empanada cost in 2025.

SOU’s Business Venture Tournament Gala Returns May 27 with New Wildcard Pitch Contest
and $3,000 Grand Prize

Ashland, OR – Southern Oregon University will bring together student innovation and live
audience energy at the 2025 Business Venture Tournament Gala, happening on Tuesday,
May 27, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. in the Rogue River Room of the Stevenson Union.
This year’s final competition features four dedicated student finalist teams, selected from a
competitive pool of entries. Each team is working to complete their final deliverables and
will pitch live for a chance to win $3,000 for first place, $700 for second, and a $250
sustainability bonus for the venture that best integrates environmental, social, and
economic impact.

The tournament was founded through the vision and generosity of SOU alumni Jim Teece
and Dena Matthews, who launched the initiative to help students “Think Big” and bring
forward ideas with the power to create real-world change.

New This Year: Wildcard Pitch Contest – Open to All SOU Students
Debuting in 2025, the Wildcard Pitch Contest invites any student attending the Gala to share
a one-minute pitch on the spot—no advance entry required. The contest is designed to
welcome all majors and experience levels and spark creativity from every corner of campus.
The idea for this exciting new contest came from SOU student Jared Mulloy, whose
background in broadcasting will be showcased as he takes the mic as MC for the Wildcard
Pitch Contest. His vision was to create a low-pressure, high-energy space where every
student feels empowered to contribute.

One winning idea, chosen by a mix of audience and judge voting, will receive a $200 cash
prize and public recognition during the awards ceremony. Wildcard participants will also be
encouraged to further develop their pitch into a full venture submission for next year’s
competition—and a shot at the $3,000 grand prize.

“This is about opening doors, not raising bars,” said Douglas Daley, MBA Program

Coordinator and Tournament Director. “Whether students arrive with a polished plan or
just a spark of curiosity, we want the Gala to be a space where ideas come alive—and new
voices feel invited in.”

A Night of Energy, Ideas, and Opportunity
The Gala is free and open to all SOU students, faculty, staff, and community members, with
free food, door prizes, and engaging student-led presentations judged by local professionals
and campus leaders.

Real Connections with Local Businesses
In addition to student pitches and the Wildcard Contest, this year’s Gala will feature a
robust entrepreneur fair and networking area. Thanks to the efforts of Jenny Chynoweth
and the support of our community partners, more than a dozen local organizations and
businesses will be present to connect with students, offer insights, and showcase real
opportunities.

Confirmed table hosts include:
- Southern Oregon Innovation Hub / SOREDI
- Business Oregon
- SCORE Mentors
- SOU Small Business Development Center
- Jackson County Library Services
- Jefferson Public Radio
- Rogue Valley Times
- KMVU-TV
- Oregon Entrepreneurs Network
- Talent Maker City
- Ashland Food Co-op
- Shepherd's Dream
- SOU School of Business and Institute of Applied Sustainability

Students and guests can explore innovative business ventures, connect with professionals,
and build relationships that could lead to mentorships, internships—or even future
collaborations.

This year’s event is made possible thanks to the generous support of our founding sponsor,
the Jim Teece and Dena Matthews Foundation; supporting sponsors Southern Oregon
Innovation Hub/ SOREDI, Valley Immediate Care, Shepherd’s Dream, and Rogue Valley
Times; and gift-in-kind donors including Britt Music & Arts Festival, Dancin Winery, Talent
Maker City, Ashland Springs Hotel, and the AI for Good Conference.

Whether you’re there to cheer for a finalist, pitch your own idea, or just enjoy the energy,
this is a night where creativity takes the spotlight.

Event Details:
- Date: Tuesday, May 27, 2025
- Time: 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
- Location: Rogue River Room, Stevenson Union, SOU Campus
- Cost: Free and open to the entire community
For more information, visit: https://venture.sou.edu

Contact:
Jenny Chynoweth
BVT Event Strategist
Email: chynowethj@sou.edu

Douglas Daley Jr.
MBA Program Coordinator & Business Venture Tournament Director
Email: daleyd@sou.edu

Take time to nurture your creativity. In this four-session series, we will explore ways to use writing for self-expression, create short pieces of writing based on weekly themes, and incorporate other types of artistic expression into our writing. No writing experience is necessary - just an interest in being creative in a supportive, fun environment.

Take time to nurture your creativity. In this four-session series, we will explore ways to use writing for self-expression, create short pieces of writing based on weekly themes, and incorporate other types of artistic practices into our writing.

No writing experience is necessary - just an interest in being creative in a fun, supportive environment!

Tuesdays, May 13 and 27; June 3 and 10, 2025

5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Hummingbird Estate

1677 Old Stage Road

Central Point, OR

Cost: $100. Limited scholarships available. If you are unable to attend a session, I will send you the materials and we can schedule a time to meet online to go through the writing and art practices.

To register, contact Michelle St. Romain Wilson, michelle.st.romain.wilson@gmail.com.

Parent Project is a 10-week series where we go over topics like improving family relationships, using effective discipline to improve school attendance and performance, reduce substance use and negative peer influences, and how to address destructive behavior. It is an opportunity to meet with other parents in similar situations in a judgement free zone and begin to develop a new support system. When you feel like you have tried everything and nothing is working, we can help.

Fortuna Teen Court will be hosting this 10-week series at the Gene Lucas Community Center (3000 Newburg Rd) in Fortuna. Classes will begin 03/18/2025 and be held every Tuesday from 6-8pm. The final class will be on 05/27/25.

If you are interested in participating, please fill out the application on our website https://bgcredwoods.org/fortuna-teen-court/, give us a call at 707-617-8160, or email us at fortunatc@bgcredwoods.org.

We look forward to seeing you in class!

Sign up now for NAMI Humboldt’s (National Alliance on Mental Illness) free, 8 session course in Eureka for family members and others who have loved ones living with a mental illness. The weekly class, which has been offered locally for over 20 years and has served hundreds of people, teaches family members how to understand mental illness and how to support their loved ones while maintaining their own well-being. This evidence based program is called Family to Family and is offered nationally by trained volunteers who themselves have loved ones experiencing mental health challenges.
The series offers: information, self-care, communication skills and emotional support.

There is no cost for the classes or materials, though a commitment to the complete class series (8) is appreciated. Teachers are specially trained volunteers who also have loved ones living with serious mental health issues.

Sign up now for more details and information about dates for these valuable classes! Contact: edith.fritzsche@gmail.com Note that dates have not yet been set pending sufficient sign-ups.

Professional Building

The Oregon Environmental Council (OEC) was established in 1968 by concerned Oregonians across the state to protect the water, air, and land we all share and love. OEC has a statewide focus and had long served as a leading organization in efforts to stimulate climate action in the Oregon legislature and among Oregon state agencies. SOCAN has collaborated extensively over the years with OEC on climate action and their work in Southern Oregon. The SOCAN May general meeting will feature Max Light Pacheco from OEC talking about what OEC does to fulfill its mission. Max will preview OEC’s effort to stimulate electrification and energy efficiency in Medford – a project being undertaken in collaboration with SOCAN’s Medford Climate Action Team (MCAT).
Venue Website: https://jcls.org/