The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce, the Siuslaw News, and community arts organizations have created the Florence Passport to the Arts, a pocket-sized guide to direct visitors and community members to the many galleries and public art exhibits in the Florence area.
Those who obtain the Florence Passport to the Arts and complete its tour by collecting 10 stickers from participating locations will be eligible for valuable prizes.
“Florence is so blessed to have so many talented artists. Whether it’s photography, painting, textiles, wood, metal, glass, music, stage, or whatever, our artisanal community is overflowing with talent. The Florence Art Passport is your guide to discover and explore the arts all around town,” says Bettina Hannigan, executive director of the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce. “.”
“Florence is an art lover’s destination,” adds Jenna Bartlett, publisher of the Siuslaw News. “The galleries of Florence present art that is unique to the Oregon Coast, and inspired by our ocean, rivers, dunes, bridge, flora, and wildlife. But art is not confined just to the galleries and shops, it’s everywhere you look around town. There are numerous outdoor public art displays too.”
On the second Saturday of every month, Florence celebrates the arts community by visiting galleries and enjoying the variety of new art pieces showcased at each location during the Second Saturday Art Walk from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in Historic Old Town.
Of the 17 displays listed in the passport, there are 10 locations from which Passport holders can collect a sticker. Once their passport is filled, it can be mailed to or dropped off at The Siuslaw News, PO Box 10 Florence, OR, 97439 or 148 Maple St., Florence, before March 31, 2018. Completed passports will be entered in a monthly drawing for exciting gifts from local artists and businesses. There will be a grand prize drawing in April 2018.
The passport also features 12 local sites in Florence where art lovers can see some of the life-sized sea lion sculptures in the “Dancing With Sea Lions” collection.
Florence Passports to the Arts are available at the Florence Visitor’s Center, 290 Highway 101; Siuslaw News, 148 Maple St.; BeauxArts Fine Art Materials, 2285 Highway 101, or any of the 10 participating locations.
Participants can share their experiences on social media using #FlorenceArtPassport.
