OFN Southern Oregon Folklife and Traditional Arts Survey records

The Oregon Folklife Network conducted a survey of folklife and traditional arts in four southeastern Oregon counties from 2013 to 2014. The Southern Oregon Folklife and Traditional Arts Survey is one of the several surveys it has completed since 2012. Collection comprises folklore fieldwork documentation, newsletter articles, and public presentations created in this survey. The fieldwork documentation is in digital file formats and includes 2,631 color photographs and 98 interview sound recordings, as well as media logs and artist data sheets, and final reports, documenting approximately 70 traditional artists, organizations, and events.

Professional folklorists LuAnne Kozma and Douglas Manger interviewed traditional artists in Klamath County, Lake County, Harney County, and Malheur County. Manger worked in Harney and Malheur counties in April and May 2014 and Kozma worked in Lake and Klamath counties in November 2013 and June 2014. Oregon Folklife Network Director Riki Saltzman and students Julie Meyer, Emily Knott, and Adrienne Decker participated in selected interviews and also contributed fieldwork documentation.

The survey documented the following traditional arts (and artists) associated with occupations and avocations: ranching and rodeo traditions (Dan and Robin Fulwyler), silversmithing (Ricarda Clause, Pat Horlacher), gunsmithing (Ross Westgate), horsehair and rawhide braiding (Bill and Theresa Black, Jack Armstrong, Merlin Rupp, Dan Fowler), saddle making (Steve McKay, Lem Babb, Mario Hanel), outdoor cookery (Patty and Keith Barnhart), trapping (Mike and Terri Slate), hat making and shaping (Lisa Ackerman, Lisa Robinson), and bootmaking (Mike Strong, Mike Purves).

The survey documented bearers of Native American traditions from Klamath, Burns Paiute, and other tribes, including cradleboard making (Rena Beers, Sara Barton), arrowhead chipping (Cecil and Emory Coons), root gathering (Rena Beers), regalia and beadworking (Julie Johnson), traditional healing (Eva Castellanoz, James Dionne), and powwow (Klamath Veterans Day Powwow).

The survey also documented foodways, including Mexican baked goods and pan dulce (La Perla Bakery, Marco Rodriguez), Norwegian lefse and krumkakke (Laila Griffiths), as well as Filipino (Leo Rito), Basque (Darlene Albisu), and Italian (Sons of Italy).

Additional traditions documented include: quilting and tatting (Robin King and Diane McKoen, Judi Doud, Eileen Bucklin and Joyce Merwin, Linda Wood, Chiloquilters), old time music (Ruel Teague, Ludi Phillips, Terry and Larry McLain), and fly tying (Mark Kelley, John Krueger).

Photographs include portraits of artists, as well as images of arts and crafts, tools and supplies, process and techniques, and workshops and workrooms. Artist data sheets completed by folklorists include artist biographical data and contact information, as well as a description of each artist's tradition and how it was learned.