Galleries, museums, or art centers and festivals might spring to mind for many when they think of the artistic cultural identity of a place. Many of these venues, however, have histories of being exclusive, inaccessible, and/or unwelcoming to creators who hold marginalized identities, and Corvallis is no different.
Locally, there are various collaborative organizing efforts committed to making the voices and creativity of traditionally ignored, excluded, and underserved artists more visible to the Corvallis community, including Black, Indigenous, and artists of color; LGBTQIA+ artists; disabled and neurodiverse artists; and artists who are struggling with houselessness and poverty.
These efforts can also include curating platforms and venues (some more conventional, some more alternative and non-commercial) for the purpose of not only enhancing the safety and inclusion of historically invisibilized artists, but also offering them – experienced or emerging – the freedom to experiment and play with non-traditional mediums.
For our next CitySpeak Forum, we’ll be talking to just a handful of local artists, activists, and advocates who commit, in various ways, to making Corvallis’ art scene more inclusive, accessible, supportive, and affirming – and who challenge what it means to be an artist.
On hand to field questions will be:
- Caitilin Garets and Indiana Laub, show organizers with Corvallis DIY and Bitter Half Booking
- Chris Durnin, co-founder of Corvallis Experiments in Noise
- Robin Weis, experimental installation and trash-based artist
- Emma J. Coddington Brown, Volunteer Facilitator for Art Tuesday events at the Corvallis Daytime Drop-In Center (CDDC)
- Bruce Burris, Program Director of Living Studios
- Julian Clarke, Leadership Liaison for SOL LGBTQ+ Multicultural Support Network
Slated for Tuesday, September 13
Starting at 6:30 p.m., the forum is a unique opportunity to ask panelists questions about amplifying underrepresented creatives in the Corvallis art scene. Of course, you’re also welcome to just listen in on the conversation. As always, generous time is allotted for questions from the public.
Moderators are Advocate Assistant Editor Emilie Ratcliff and City Club of Corvallis President Steven J. Schultz.
How to Access CitySpeak Forums
Live on The Advocate’s website or Facebook page, and other social media. If you can’t make the live event, the video will be available on The Advocate’s website and social media pages.
How to Get a Question Submitted
Viewers can submit questions before and during the forum. You can email cityspeak@corvallisadvocate.com, message us on social media, or just post your question on one of the social media posts of the event.
CitySpeak forums are free to the public, and are co-presented by City Club of Corvallis and The Corvallis Advocate. Sponsors include Peak Sports and First Alternative Natural Foods Co-op.
Do you have a story for The Advocate? Email editor@corvallisadvocate.com