Art influences, inspires, educates and mobilizes the community it thrives in.

For the small coastal town of Bandon, Ore., art has brought the locals and tourists together. Galleries in old town Bandon showcase and sell thousands of works made by local artists and local artists’ works are being seen, talked about and sold all over the world. The art movement has brought attention to an underrated type of economic stimulus. Art is attracting people to small towns like Bandon and there are many great examples to showcase.

Local motel co-owner of La Kris Inn, Susan Dimock is a professional photographer who has influenced nature photography in the area. Known for her stunning shots from Face Rock Beach, she and her husband, who is also a photographer, have prints being sold in a number of places including neighboring towns such as Coos Bay.

As she produces her art and sells them she is also expanding her business due to a niche in the market that needed to be filled, guided photography sessions with a local photographer, a great example of sustainable tourism.

“People see me as a good resource to guide them and teach them on the local beaches,” said Dimock. “I don’t put all my eggs in one basket, I kind of diversify. I sell down at the galleries and off my website and then most recently I’ve been doing some private lessons on the beaches. People have been calling me, that’s where social media comes in handy, and they pay a good fee.”

Another great example of how art has brought in many tourists is actually one of Dimock’s clients. Dimock is contracted to make a calendar for the legendary artist, Denny Dyke. Dyke is a sand artist, Circles in the Sand, that organizes and creates

labyrinths during the low-tides of the beach since 2011.

Fast forward to today, Dyke has transformed his art into a community event, and for the last five years has been raking circles in the sand as a full time public venture. With dozens of labyrinths drawn during the summer season, over 20,000 people have walked the paths of the labyrinth, attracting locals and tourists alike from all over the world.

A non-profit art gallery located in the heart of Bandon is a prime example of how art can be used to promote sustainability but is also an attraction for tourists to see while visiting the area. Washed Ashore creates exhibits and art pieces from plastics that wash ashore Oregon beaches. They encourage people to reduce their plastic wastes by showing them through art how much plastics are in our oceans. They also educate the harmful effects it has on marine life and the ecosystem as a whole.

Art is a tool, a passion, a form of communication. It is an outlet to express what is going on in the world and a way for individuals to share their imagination with others. Art brings the community together in many ways, indirect or direct.

For more information, please see:

http://www.susandimock.com

https://www.sandypathbandon.com

https://washedashore.org

Eighteen years ago the Farmers Market on Central Avenue in down-town Coos Bay was just one city block. It has come a long way since it first started. Today the Market runs three city blocks plus a little more on the side streets. With the ability to have a maximum capacity of 87 vendors, up by 18 from last year, the market is still growing.

Over sought by the Coos Bay Downtown Association, an independent organization with a mission to revitalize the down-town area, the market runs from the first Wednesday in May through the end of October. Within the season the market runs every Wednesday from 9am to 2pm, making it a big part of the community’s lifestyle.

“I think it is really important for customers, for community members to be able to directly consume fresh, wholesome produce that is grown in their region,” said Market Manager Karlee Cottrell.

Cottrell was born and raised in Coos Bay. After living out of town for a while, two and a half years ago she moved back and found a position she’s always wanted to get involved with. Starting as the Assistant Manager, she took over as the Market Manager in September and her favorite part about the market is the sense of community that it brings in.

“It connects a whole range of different individuals,” said Cottrell. “As far as the vendors who come form the Salem area, all the way down to the Roseburg area to come sell here and then all of our community members who come to shop here as well as the tourist that are traveling through. So it gives a really good opportunity to let people see what our region has to offer.”

According to Cottrell, the market sees around 2000 customers every Wednesday with a good portion of those being tourists visiting the area. The attraction brings in people from all over, representing a large amount of local businesses and artists.

“I think that is really important as an economic stimulus as well,” said Cottrell. “This money is coming from community members and going back into the community.”

Vendors that want to participate in the Farmers Market can do so by applying through the online application process and paying a $17 non-refundable application fee. Customer’s that are on Oregon Food Stamps can also shop at the market.

For more information about the Coos Bay Farmer’s Market please visit: https://coosbaydowntown.org/farmers-market/