It
isn’t Cows in Chicago, its not Kows in Portland and it certainly isn’t Pigs in
Seattle. Its Smudge Pots in Medford! A perfect fit for a town rich with
its agricultural heritage as the “Pear Capitol”.
Medford's Smudge Pot Pourri
It
isn’t Cows in Chicago, its not Kows in Portland and it certainly isn’t Pigs in
Seattle. Its Smudge Pots in Medford! A perfect fit for a town rich with
its agricultural heritage as the “Pear Capitol”.
For the first Art in Bloom
Festival in 2001, Flora Henningsen master teacher of the local Ikebana
Society
directed the local group in sprucing up old rusty smudge pots with flowers and
plants. Inspired by the transformed pots a few folks began to wonder…Could these
old smudge pots become objects d’arte? And through a group of volunteers
calling themselves the "Smudgettes" (Emily Mostue, Jean Boyer Cowling, Judy
Barnes, Kathy Young & Sue Naumes) Medford’s Smudge Pot Pourri was
born.
To make the project work local artists were commissioned to “create a work of art” from a smudge pot and sponsors have stepped forward to financially support the project. The event has grown and now artists & businesses participate with great enthusiasm.
In 2008, the Smudge Pot Pourri officially moved to the Rogue Gallery & Art Center and the artist's smudge pots are now featured not only at the Art in Bloom Festival, but also at the Gallery's annual benefit auction. A new group of artists are creating the 2008 “crop” of art pots. There will be 20 of these exhibited for the first time at the Art in Bloom Festival.
The pots will be on view in front of the Rogue Gallery & Art Center during the Art in Bloom Festival on Mother's Day weekend, May 10th & 11th. Approximately half of this year's 20 pots will be sold at the Art in Bloom Festival; festival goers may be able to acquire a pot through a raffle or silent auction. The remainder of the pots will be sold at the Gallery's annual benefit auction on September 21st.
Everyone
has
seen the rusty orchard heaters along the roads in the pear orchards, but seeing
them transformed by 20 area artists who invested nearly
3000 hours with paint, clay, fabric, welding torches, glue and fiberglass will
change one’s perception of these cast-offs for all time.
Come join us at the Art in Bloom Festival, May 10th & 11th, or request an invitation to our auction on September 21st!