>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Leslie LaViner of rural Enterprise participated in the Wallowa Valley Arts Council’s Quick Draw. Artists had one hour in which to complete a work of art. Then the items were silent-auctioned. The council’s next event is the Wallowa Valley Festival of Arts June 6-8. The Observer/GARY FLETCHER

More than 100 people attended the event at the Joseph Civic Center.

In its fifth year as a standalone event, Quick Draw was held for the first time in the civic center, project coordinator Joan Madsen of Enterprise said.

It outgrew the banquet room of Joseph’s Outlaw Restaurant where it was formerly held.

In the Quick Draw, local artists have one hour in which to create a piece of art.

Each year the council adds  a non-traditional type of art to the mix. New this year was jewelry made by Viki Abrams.

Wire sculpture was added last year, Madsen said.

Leading up to the Quick Draw, the artists’ previous works were displayed for three weeks at Community Bank in Joseph.

Those works were then raffled off at the Quick Draw for the following people to have for one year.

Dawn Hunter Strobel of Joseph received Rodd Ambroson’s three small relief panels; Craig Strobel of Joseph — a photograph by Rick McEwen; Charlie Mastro of Joseph — David Jensen photograph; Karen Kearns, Enterprise — Eva Slinker painting; Robert Boyd, Joseph — Leslie LaViner painting; Patti Brown, Joseph — Shirley Frye painting; Susan Collett, Joseph — Kathy Drake watercolor; LeRoy Frye, Joseph — Olaf (Ted Juve) stoneware vase;  and Rich Wandschneider, Joseph — Jim Shelly sculpture.

The Quick Draw had not been held for several years, before being revived five years ago.

Its purposes include providing an off-season venue for local artists, and to thank the members of the council.

Council members and a guest are first treated to a free potluck dinner get-together with the council board.

The members then are granted free admission to the Quick Draw, and participating artists sell their works, Madsen said.

The Quick Draw was formerly a part of the council’s Wallowa Valley Festival of Arts.

This year’s 26th annual festival will also be held in the Joseph Civic Center at 102 E. First Street.

For more information contact 426-8602, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or wallowavalleyarts.org/festival.