Pandemic or no pandemic, there's still art to be found

Although many venues are beginning to open up again, events are still limited. The good news is that there’s still plenty of arts-based online content to inspire, entertain and delight.

For instance, make sure to visit the College of Design’s 2020 exhibition gallery featuring the stunning art and design work of its graduating students or sample online art lessons at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art.

And even though this year’s storied Oregon Bach Festival has been postponed, you can still catch some of the most memorable music from its 50-year history on KWAX.

Art

In an effort to provide digital platforms to stay connected to UO students, faculty and the community, the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art has launched an immersive virtual exhibition, “Mildred Bryant Brooks: The Art of Etching,” celebrating the 1930s and ’40s works of this pioneering female artist and educator.

The museum also continues its JSMA Creates object-based art lessons to do at home based on works from the museum’s collections and Masterworks on Loan Program. Developed by the museum’s education department, the lessons are designed for artists and kids of all ages and skill levels. Instructions are available as downloadable PDFs and in video format. Lesson 2: Abstract with Kaws, based on Kaws’ (Brian Donnelly) “A Lonely One” is now available.

An illustration by UO student Phoebe Mallory Discover the art and design work of graduating students from the School of Art + Design as well as work from Academic Residential Community students and Spring Storm, the annual schoolwide show featuring the work of senior undergraduate art, art and technology, and product design students. Each 2020 exhibition gallery features a show description and navigation to the full exhibition website.

Looking for some fun, hands-on, crafty activities this summer? You’re in luck! Following the success of making free craft kits available to students over spring term, the UO Craft Center is extending its popular program through the summer. Each kit, which comes equipped with all the materials needed to create the craft project accompanied by either printed instructions or a link to a video, will be promoted weekly on Instagram and Facebook. UO students can pick up a kit on Wednesdays at a dispensary site at the Craft Center’s outdoor area located on the east side of the Erb Memorial Union.

Theater

Follow the UO’s Pocket Playhouse on Instagram for trivia challenges every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Repost your answer each day for a chance to win a drink from Dutch Bros. Coffee.

Music

Although the Oregon Bach Festival has been postponed because of COVID-19, audiences can still hear some of the most memorable music from its 50-year history thanks to a collaboration with KWAX-FM Classical Oregon. Helmuth Rilling conducting 'Messiah' in 2009 The radio series includes 11 curated programs that will be broadcast every weekday from June 26 to July 10.

The series launches with a performance of the “St. Matthew Passion” conducted by festival co-founder Helmuth Rilling and featuring internationally acclaimed bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff.

The Eugene Symphony’s remote concerts continue on KWAX Classical Oregon (KWAX-FM, 91.1). Music director and conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong will also continue to update Facebook “Watch Parties” with his favorite performances.

Campus radio station KWVA (88.1 FM) hosts shows featuring a variety of musical genres and subgenres. Livestream in your browser or download the KWVA stream and listen in iTunes.

Cinema

Learn more about the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s with James Blue’s 1963 documentary The March. Blue filmed participants as they prepared for the March on Washington in their home cities, followed them as they traveled to Washington and recorded their reactions as they listened for the first time to Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

Following the recent death of George Floyd at the hands of police and the ensuing protests across the country, the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art encourages people to watch “People of a Darker Hue,” a 15-minute video created by Portland artist Carrie Mae Weems, whose exhibition “The Usual Suspects” was recently on display.

Museum of Natural and Cultural History

Be sure to explore the “Museum from Home” page and enjoy the museum remotely.

Streaming resources

Learn and get inspired by music through engaging programs designed for families and educators from Carnegie Hall’s Learn with Carnegie Hall. Free livestreams of episodes are also available on Carnegie’s Facebook and YouTube pages.

The Museum of Photographic Arts offers a number of fantastic photography exhibitions that can be viewed online, including contemporary Mexican photography and the works of Lynn G. Fayman, Edward S. Curtis, Bern Schwartz and many more.

If you’re into the art scene, Artsy.net has got you covered. View, learn about or purchase art in categories ranging from contemporary, post-war and impressionist and modern to pre-20th century and street art.

The Museum of Modern Art is offering free online art classes. Realizing that people may want to do more than just look at art, the museum has launched a series of five free classes focusing on contemporary art, fashion and photography. These comprehensive beginner courses feature corresponding reading and exercises that take from 12 to 38 hours to complete.

Some of you might recall the mid-90s mashup of Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” and “The Wizard of Oz” — or “Dark Side of the Rainbow,” “Dark Side of Oz” or “The Wizard of Floyd” — in which the album and the movie, when synced, form some uncanny themes and coincidences. Kick back and enjoy this cultural phenomenon at Open Culture.

—By Sharleen Nelson, University Communications