Corvallis Arts Walk. Downtown Corvallis, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. Free. Visit downtown Corvallis to tour the working studios of our local artists, see them at work, and view their art! The Corvallis Arts Walk (CAW) is a grass-roots organized art walk that takes place on the 3rd Thursday of each month in downtown Corvallis from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Galleries, studios, arts and crafts stores and the occasional pop-up keep their doors open late to host an art-related event or demonstration. Visit http://www.corvallisartswalk.com for more info.
Bessie Coleman School Renaming Celebration, at Bessie Coleman Elementary, 4 to 5 pm, free
The Corvallis School District is hosting a renaming celebration at Bessie Coleman Elementary. Coleman’s great-niece will be on hand for the festivities.
Fast forward to present times, and Gigi Coleman has designed a nonprofit aviation program to expose disadvantaged youth to career opportunities in aviation. Gigi travels across the country to tell the story of her inspirational aunt and inspire youth to explore careers in aviation and follow their dreams. The program is called the Bessie Coleman Aviation All-Stars.
Other special guests include members of the Linn Benton NAACP, Corvallis School District Equity Leadership Team Advisory (DELTA), Corvallis Public Schools Foundation, Evergreen Aviation Museum, and the Washington Museum of Flight.
“We are excited to welcome Gigi Coleman and to celebrate the renaming of our school as well as the amazing new building our community has supported,” said Tracey Fischer, Bessie Coleman principal. “This will be a special day for our students, staff, and community.”
According to the National Air and Space Museum, Bessie Coleman was born in Atlanta, Texas, to a large African American and Native American family. In 1920, she became determined to become a pilot when her brother, a World War I veteran, talked about French women flying airplanes. She learned French, traveled to France to study at the Caudron Brothers School of Aviation, and became the first African American and Native American woman to earn her pilot’s license. Her determination and strong will continue to inspire today.
Dennis Monroe’s Funked Up Blues Jam, live at the Old World Center, 7 pm. Free.
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