Art in Bloom is an annual
outdoor springtime arts festival in downtown Medford, presenting regional visual and
performing artists, along with floral displays, youth activities and adult workshops. Art
in Bloom collaborates with arts, civic, business, educational and municipal entities in
the community to offer free and low-cost art opportunities to the region's citizens and
visitors.
The festival is centered in Vogel Plaza, which is located at the principal intersection of
downtown Medford. Vogel Plaza is also adjacent to the Craterian Theater and the Rogue
Valley Gallery and Art Center. The Craterian Theater is a non-profit community performing
arts center. The Rogue Valley Gallery and Art Center is a non-profit visual arts center
operated by the Rogue Valley Art Association, Inc. Festival events take place in Vogel
Plaza, inside the Craterian Theater, and Rogue Valley Gallery and Art Center, and on
adjacent city streets, which are closed during the event.
The festival begins Friday evening with an Opening Reception. It continues throughout
Saturday and Sunday with fine visual artists exhibiting and selling their work; live
performances entertaining the audience; and florists displaying and selling springtime's
abundance. Food and beverage concessions are available from local purveyors. The event
includes workshops, demonstrations, activities and lectures for children and adults by
artists, horticulturists and arts community leaders. The purpose of the festival is to
bring art and culture to the economic hub of southern Oregon. Additionally, the city of
Medford's downtown core is an urban redevelopment zone. The festival is a community
celebration, which brings a renewed energy and interest in the downtown core.
The idea for Art in Bloom arose in 1998, and was followed by a period of exploration and
planning. The project was fully initiated in May 2001 when the first Art in Bloom festival
was presented. The first festival was a project of the Rogue Valley Foundation. The
project will continue under the governance of a committed board of directors, most of whom
have been involved since the beginning of the project. Art in Bloom will also utilize the
services of an event management professional in the execution of the project.
|
