New direction for Culture of Course!

Online auction items include a vintage biplane tour

The Echo Mountain Fire has brought destruction and devastation to the communities of Otis and Rose Lodge, and chaos, smoke and uncertainty to the neighboring town of Lincoln City. In light of the crisis, the volunteers behind this year's Culture, Of Course! fundraiser announced Monday that the in-person gala — scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19 — would have to be cancelled. 

But even though the supporters of arts and culture will not be able to gather, in person, the Lincoln City Cultural Center will continue the Culture, Of Course! fundraising effort through online and other virtual means. That's because the need has never been greater, said cultural center Executive Director Niki Price.

"Our nonprofit exists to serve our community with programs and opportunities,” she said, “from the Creative Quarantine art kits for families to the weekly Lincoln City Farmers and Crafters Market and our Arts Incubator studio workshops. These activities have continued throughout the pandemic and the recession, and we won't let a fire stop us, either.” 

This year's Culture, Of Course! will also benefit local creatives who lost their homes and studios in the fire, through the newly created Echo Mountain Arts Fund. This new project is designed to provide studio space, kiln time and other support for artists and musicians directly affected by the blaze. 

"We're going to do what we can to help the arts community recover from this disaster,” Price said, “to get back on their feet and being creative, as soon as possible.”

To bid on Culture, Of Course! auction items, go to https://www.32auctions.com/cultureofcourse. 

To donate to the fundraiser or learn more, call 541-994-9994.