OFN Arts in the Parks records

The Oregon Folklife Network's Arts in the Parks program presented Oregon artists speaking on the history and cultural significance of their crafts at Oregon state parks in June 2013 and June 2014. The collection includes digital color photographs documenting these programs.

Musician Mark Ross presented "The Roots of American Folk Music," at Silver Falls State Park with folklorist Emily West and in collaboration with the Salem Art Association. Fly fisher and fly tyer Sherry Steele presented "The Art of Fly-Tying," at Joseph Stewart State Recreation Area with folklorist Riki Saltzman and in collaboration with Rogue Gallery and Art Center in Medford, Or. Weaver Wilverna Reece presented "Traditional Karuk Basket Weaving" at Smith Rock State Park with folklorist Emily Afanador and in collaboration with Ars Central of Bend, Oregon. Fiber artist Pat Courtney Gold presented "Artistry Traditions of the Wasco and Klamath Cultures at Collier State Park with folklorist Riki Saltzman and in collaboration with Ross Ragland Theater in Klamath Falls.

Mark Ross is a Master Artist in the Oregon Folklife Network's Folk and; Traditional Arts Apprenticeship program. Mark left at home at 17 because of illness (his parents were sick of him). Armed with a loud voice and a guitar, 35 years ago he made his way to Greenwich Village just in time to catch the last of the Great Folk Music Scare of the '60s. Yodeling, singing, cracking bad jokes, making execrable puns, and picking up a storm, he's been making his way at this trade ever since. With a working repertoire of close to 500 songs he runs the gamut of American roots music, from hobo ballads and; train songs, blues, western swing, mountain ballads, fiddle tunes, raucous banjo melodies, early jazz to the works of contemporary songwriters.

Sherry Steele has been fly-fishing and tying for 13 years and has been a demonstration tier at many conclaves throughout the western states. She teaches fly tying classes at Central Oregon clubs and schools. Sherry lives, works, and teaches fly-tying at the Fly-Fishers Place in Sisters, OR. She is president of the Oregon Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers and is the Chairperson for the NW Fly Tying and; Fly Fishing Expo in Albany, Oregon, which is held every year during the 2nd weekend in March. She received the Oregon Council 2010 Federator of the year award, The IFFF National 2010 Oregon Award of Excellence and Central Oregon Flyfishers Special Recognition Award for encouraging fly tying and; fly fishing in and beyond Central Oregon.

Wilverna Reece is a Master Artist in the Oregon Folklife Network's Folk and; Traditional Arts Apprenticeship program. Born in Yreka, California, Wilverna is a Karuk Indian and has served on the Karuk Tribal Council. Wilverna's mentor taught her how to gather and prepare the necessary materials and weave traditional Karuk baskets over 30 years ago. In turn, she has passed on her unique culture and art. Wilverna has demonstrated her cultural traditions across the nation, in such far-flung locations as Virginia, California, and local schools.

Pat Courtney Gold is a Master Artist in the Oregon Folklife Network's Folk and; Traditional Arts Apprenticeship program. Pat is a Wasco Native and a member of the Wasco tribe. Her ancestors lived along the Columbia River for more than 12,000 years. They are the upriver branch of the Chinook Nation. She was born and raised on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. Besides weaving traditional "Sally bags," Pat gives lectures about the Columbia River Native cultures to universities and museums. An accomplished fiber artist and basket weaver, Pat teaches, consults, and has pieces of her work shown in museums and collections around the world. She received the Oregon Governor's Art Award in 2001. In 2007, the National Endowment for the Arts honored Pat Courtney Gold with a National Heritage Fellowship, the nation's highest honor for folk and traditional artists.