Step into the Artisphere: Music and visual art collide at this massive creative event

When Brad Bailey stopped by our offices and said he was planning a "big art and music event," we weren't quite sure what to expect. He said he wanted to bring local musicians and artists together for a colossal showing of Bend's talent, but plenty of people say they're going to do things like this, and oftentimes nothing materializes.

That's not the case with Bailey, who is the mind behind Artisphere, the visual art, live painting, body-painting (and more) event at the Old Stone on Friday night that also boasts perhaps one of the most comprehensive local music lineups this side of the Bend Roots Revival. Having recently taken up playing open mics, Bailey wanted to get more of his neighbors, be they musicians or visual artists, the chance to shine in public.

"It came to me that people in different kinds of art forms need their open mic, too. I want this to be a kind of open mic for people," says Bailey, who's been in Bend for two years, but is just now taking his first dive into event production with some help from friends like Cloaked Characters' Jay Tablet, who booked the music lineup.

Artisphere (which benefits the Bethlehem Inn) kicks off early, at 4pm, with music, food and art outdoors featuring mostly acoustic musicians like Joanna Lee and Erin Cole-Baker. Then the night, which will be hosted by local model TJ Reese, turns a bit louder as the music heads indoors for dance-friendly tunes from a list that includes Anastacia, Top Shelf, Second Hand Soldiers and a somewhat rare but happily welcomed gig from Cloaked Characters, which will be accompanied by a live painting performance by MOsley WOtta.

The roster of visual artists who will be showing their wares includes John Paul Designs, Brian Bulemore, Kris Finer and about 20 others in an array of different artistic mediums. The styles vary greatly and feature the sort of stuff you might not see on your typical First Friday saunter through downtown. Perhaps Artisphere's most unique feature is the collection of a dozen or so body painters and models who will be on hand for the show. Yes, you read that right: body painters, which are one of the best types of painters.

Bailey and company have placed and emphasis on adhering to the "Make Local Habit" campaign (they'll have newly designed stickers on hand) all food and drink is local, and creatively, the organizers are offering on-site day care for a mere $5 per child.

Bailey hopes Artisphere becomes not just one night of art, but an ongoing artistic organization.

"I want it to be a movement more than a single event. I want to know where this can go as a movement," says Bailey, who is working on creating Artisphere organizations in Salem, Eugene and Portland.

"This could be something that's an indispensable tool for artists to connect."

Artisphere

4pm-11pm Friday, June 18. Old Stone Church, 157 NW Frankline Ave. $5 advance at bendticket.com, $7 door.