Corvallis Calendar: Thursday and Friday

Thursday, August 8        

Liz Grant – Metalsmith. LaSells Stewart Center, Murdoch Gallery, 875 SW 26th St., Corvallis. Mon. – Fri., 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Free. New to our artisan case in the Murdoch Gallery, and just in time for graduation gifting. The jewelry of Philomath, OR metalsmith Liz Grant is on view and available for purchase through September. Exhibition dates: June 7, 2024 – September 30, 2024. Visit https://lasells.oregonstate.edu/exhibit/liz-grant-metalsmith for more info.

The Big Picture: American Quilts from the Volckening Collection. Philomath Museum, 1101 Main Street, Philomath. 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Free. When museums first started hanging quilts on walls, it was groundbreaking. The quilts were presented as large-scale works of art — big pictures — and that’s when people really began to recognize the greatness of quiltmaking in America. It was a distinct visual art form, with a rich, vibrant history. Learn more. The Philomath Museum, located at 1101 Main Street in Philomath, is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Every week on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday until October 12, 2024. Visit https://bentoncountymuseums.org/exhibits/the-big-picture-american-quilts-from-the-volckening-collection/ for more info.

Playdemonium. The Arts Center, 700 SW Madison Avenue, Corvallis. 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Free. (donations are gratefully accepted) Playdemonium, a fusion of play and pandemonium, underscores the profound energy and enduring impact of playful experimentation in art. The exhibition explores the multicultural experiences of Chinese born artist, Coco Ma and New Zealand born artist, Robin Kerr. Both artists utilize playful and multifaceted abstraction to explore complex themes of identity and personal relationships. Every week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday until August 24, 2024. Visit https://theartscenter.net/playdemonium-robin-kerr-coco-ma/ for more info.

Jennifer Lommers: Of the Mind. The Arts Center, 700 SW Madison Avenue, Corvallis. 12 p.m. -5 p.m. Free. Look into a room of blurred realities as Lommers explores the tenuous moments that connect our past, present, and future. Embracing fiber arts and vintage materials as a measured conduit for healing and reconciliation – this multi-disciplinary, interactive show provides a unique view of the mind, simultaneously trapped and free. Learn more. Reception: Thursday, August 15, 4 p.m.-7 p.m. The Arts Center, located at 700 SW Madison Ave. in Corvallis, is open Thursday through Saturday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free (donations are gratefully accepted). Every week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday until August 28, 2024. Visit https://theartscenter.net/of-the-mind-jennifer-lommers/ for more info.

Outdoor Storytime. Central Park, 650 NW Monroe Ave, Corvallis. 10:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. Free. Join for a family storytime in Central Park every Tuesday and Thursday in June, July* and August*! If the weather is inclement, storytime will be held in the Main Meeting room in the Library. Visit https://corvallisbenton.librarycalendar.com/event/outdoor-storytime-18670 for more info.

Monroe Baby Storytime. Monroe Children’s Area, Monroe Community Library, 380 N 5th St., Monroe. 10:30 a.m. 11:15 a.m. Join to read, sing, rhyme and move, followed by free play! Thursdays at 11:00 AM, for ages 0-24 months and their caregivers. Storytime is offered year-round as a drop-in program. Children must be accompanied by a grown-up. Many lasting friendships start at storytime! Visit https://corvallisbenton.librarycalendar.com/event/monroe-baby-storytime-23 for more info.

READ Dogs. Main Meeting Room, Monroe Community Library, 380 N 5th St., Monroe. 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Free. Bring your favorite book to read to a trained Reading Education Assistance Dog every Tuesday and Thursday in August! Permission form is required and available onsite. Limited spots available. Visit https://corvallisbenton.librarycalendar.com/event/read-dogs-extra-room-18165 for mor info.

Crowned Splendor. LaSells Stewart Center, Murdoch Gallery, 875 SW 26th St., Corvallis. Mon. – Fri., 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Free. Flowers have held human beings in their thrall since time immemorial. Crowned Splendor is a celebration of floral majesty and the compelling intricacy of botanical beauty. Showcasing their vibrant colors, delicate petals, and the timeless allure that flowers radiate. This exhibit delivers attendees an ocular love letter to these queens of nature. Exhibition dates: July 1 – August 23, 2024. Visit https://lasells.oregonstate.edu/exhibit/crowned-splendor for more info.

Bard in the Quad: Julius Caesar. Memorial Union Quad, Oregon State University, 2501 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis. 7:30 p.m. $12 – $17. Bard in the Quad returns for its 19th season with William Shakespeare’s thrilling historical tragedy, Julius Caesar. Et tu, Brute? When Julius Caesar, the popular leader, seems to be usurping power in order to position himself as Emperor, two influential Romans, Caius Cassius and Marcus Brutus, conspire a bloody assassination plot to stop him. While their murderous plans succeed, their beloved Rome is plunged into a dark period of chaos and violence. Set in an imagined future-world inspired by popular science fiction and fantasy stories, this production explores Shakespeare’s universal themes of power, betrayal, and the role that fate plays in all of our lives. A box office facility located in the center of the MU Quad opens each performance evening at 6:30 p.m. This is an outdoor performance and no seating is provided. Please bring blankets or lawn chairs and dress for the weather. Picnics are encouraged. Visit https://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/svpda/theatre/events/bard-quad for more info.

Friday, August 9

Liz Grant – Metalsmith. LaSells Stewart Center, Murdoch Gallery, 875 SW 26th St., Corvallis. Mon. – Fri., 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Free. New to our artisan case in the Murdoch Gallery, and just in time for graduation gifting. The jewelry of Philomath, OR metalsmith Liz Grant is on view and available for purchase through September. Exhibition dates: June 7, 2024 – September 30, 2024. Visit https://lasells.oregonstate.edu/exhibit/liz-grant-metalsmith for more info.

The Big Picture: American Quilts from the Volckening Collection. Philomath Museum, 1101 Main Street, Philomath. 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Free. When museums first started hanging quilts on walls, it was groundbreaking. The quilts were presented as large-scale works of art — big pictures — and that’s when people really began to recognize the greatness of quiltmaking in America. It was a distinct visual art form, with a rich, vibrant history. Learn more. The Philomath Museum, located at 1101 Main Street in Philomath, is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Every week on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday until October 12, 2024. Visit https://bentoncountymuseums.org/exhibits/the-big-picture-american-quilts-from-the-volckening-collection/ for more info.

Playdemonium. The Arts Center, 700 SW Madison Avenue, Corvallis. 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Free. (donations are gratefully accepted) Playdemonium, a fusion of play and pandemonium, underscores the profound energy and enduring impact of playful experimentation in art. The exhibition explores the multicultural experiences of Chinese born artist, Coco Ma and New Zealand born artist, Robin Kerr. Both artists utilize playful and multifaceted abstraction to explore complex themes of identity and personal relationships. Every week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday until August 24, 2024. Visit https://theartscenter.net/playdemonium-robin-kerr-coco-ma/ for more info.

Jennifer Lommers: Of the Mind. The Arts Center, 700 SW Madison Avenue, Corvallis. 12 p.m. -5 p.m. Free. Look into a room of blurred realities as Lommers explores the tenuous moments that connect our past, present, and future. Embracing fiber arts and vintage materials as a measured conduit for healing and reconciliation – this multi-disciplinary, interactive show provides a unique view of the mind, simultaneously trapped and free. Learn more. Reception: Thursday, August 15, 4 p.m.-7 p.m. The Arts Center, located at 700 SW Madison Ave. in Corvallis, is open Thursday through Saturday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free (donations are gratefully accepted). Every week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday until August 28, 2024. Visit https://theartscenter.net/of-the-mind-jennifer-lommers/ for more info.

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