Letter of the Week
We give bonus points around here for righteous anger and indignation and we heard more than a little bit of that over our off-the-cuff review of the Art in the High Desert piece.
So, while we take it on the chin, we'll hand out a pat on the back to Steven Douglas for his pointed letter on our piece. Thanks for the roasting.
I just finished reading the "review" of the new Art in the High Desert Festival in the August 28 issue of the Source.
I have a couple of suggestions. Next time send someone with the ability to discriminate between a quality event like this and the average schlock fest we're subjected to around here. Also, it might help if you sent someone you could count on to be sober and unburdened by preconceived notions about what they are going to see. Maybe even someone with a background in art/craft. It seems the only reason this clown had an in depth discussion with any of the artists at the event was because the artist in question had an extra chair where your reviewer could park his lazy butt.
I for one am thankful that the organizers of Art in the High Desert recognized the need and made the effort to raise the bar for events of this kind in Central Oregon. And raise the bar they did. A number of the artists that participated are regionally and nationally recognized as some of the best in their field. Tami Dean for one has helped make custom horns for the likes of Wynton Marsalis. (Try watching OPB's Art Beat sometime, Johnny.)
Hopefully Bend will recognize the difference better than your reviewer, or we may be forever cursed with the crap C3 stuffs between the stage and the beer tent at their events. (With apologies to the handful of quality artists/craftspeople that find their way into those events.)
With love, really,
Steven Douglas, Bend
