The traditional costumes gives an insight to culture

The Willamette Heritage Center at the Mill in Salem is an amazing fabric museum with events, programs and exhibits.  We visited their current exhibit The Art And Tradition of Kimono which began September 21st and will be available until December 24th.

The Kimono is the national costume of Japan.  The exhibit features kimonos created during the early 20th century.  The geometric simplicity of the silk fabric's cut contrasts with the elegant floral designs or regular bright patterns.  The kimono seems to reflect the Japanese culture which values simple form intertwined with equally simple but dramatic designs.

Liz looking at Kimono underware

In a calm, quiet space the exhibit has several kimonos and pictures and information about how they were created.  We had the kimonos to ourselves to study and admire at our leisure.  There is a nice slide show of the kimono exhibit at the Heritage website.  But nothing like seeing the kimonos' vibrancy in person.

The Art and Tradition of Kimono exhibit is housed on the second floor of the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill.  The Mill is close to a living museum, where you can walk among the machinery which skill works.  On the second floor landing the Mill is evident through windows.  Behind a discrete door the kimonos wait, floating on their stands, emblems of another time another culture.  Stepping into the exhibit from the big 19th century American style woolen mill is also an interesting contrast of cultures.

Reviewing Grant Applications for Yamhill County Culture

Eve and Caryl reviewing grant applications

The grant cycle is upon us.  The Yamhill County Cultural Coalition grant committee met yesterday to review the applications for the coming year.

The Grant Committee, Eve Silverman, Caryl McIver, Deb Broocks and James Nelson and myself looked at projects primarily based in McMinnville and Newberg.  Although James was not at the committee meeting, he sent his comments in.  The projects ranged from writing, to music events, to art programs for seniors, to sign/music event for disabled, to programs for ethic groups, to historical excursions and more.

Eve Silverman, who is co-chair of the Grants Committee developed a very helpful spreadsheet of the applications, which made our work easier.

There never is enough money from the Oregon Cultural Trust to satisfy all of the needs.   The committee would love to recommend that Yamhill County Cultural Coalition board give everyone all of the money they asked for.  The Committee did its best to adjust grant recommendations to fit within the allocation that was given by the Cultural Trust, which was about $12,800.00 for 2013.

The Yamhill County Cultural Coalition Board will meet next week, Wednesday the 24th.  The Committee will give its recommendations.  The Board will discuss the grant applications and make its allocation decisions. The Grant funding announcements will likely go out to applicants in November.

I have been on the Yamhill County Cultural Coalition's Grant Committee for 4 or 5 years.  It is a wonderful experience to see the creative projects and to know that because of the generosity and the desire of Oregonians to have a vibrant cultural life, we can help culture here in Yamhill County.