Bend Art Center Events

When the days are short and cold, people find themselves staying in, hunkering down, getting cozy. Unless, of course, you live in Central Oregon, home to outdoor people year-round. The result: there are always wonderful events featuring art, even in the winter.

The Bend Art Center is offering some upcoming events that explore the winter weather and our relationship to it. Currently on display is the work of photographer Alyson Belcher, who documented the region's record freeze last year, and the ice formations that occurred. Her photographic work on last year's record snowstorms will be on display until Jan. 27. If that doesn't satisfy your snow craving, printmaker and installation artist Ana McKee gives a talk March 3 about her excursions in the Antarctic and their influence on her work. McKee's exhibit, "Glaciers: Persistent Ice in Motion," will be on display March 2 to April 1.

If you're looking for a deep understanding of art and its various roles throughout history, Bend Art Center has you covered there as well. Art historian Lorna Cahall offers talks every third Wednesday of the month at 7 pm. In January she covers the importance and influence of sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini. February covers 19th century French painter Eugène Delacroix, and in March brings the amazing history and myth of one of western civilization's greatest wonders, the Acropolis.

Bend Art Center

bendartcenter.org

PLAYA Events

Over the past 12 years, PLAYA has created a wonderful and welcoming retreat space for artists and scientists. Its also allows lovers of art and science to catch a glimpse of the magic being brewed there. PLAYA Presents is the regular open house, with the next one Jan. 20. Walk 

through artists' studios, ask questions and be inspired. January features Lake County writer Marie Lee. The drive will be divine, the art intriguing and your soul refreshed from this quick day trip to one of the most wondrous quick escapes our region has to offer.

PLAYA

playasummerlake.org

WinterFest

It wouldn't be Bend if we didn't have an outdoor festival happening, and winter is no reason not to. While I'm not a big fan of art contests (because, honestly, how do you score such a thing) I do love the Fire Pit Sculpture competition put on during WinterFest. It's not often you get to see a variety of large sculptures dancing with light and harnessing fire. The work is usually impressive at the least and inspiring at best. When the displays come out, it's always fun to see what wonders some members of the blacksmithing community have been up to over the last few months.

Oregon WinterFest

Fri. Feb. 16 to Sun., Feb. 18

bendoregonfestivals.com/winterfest