Joe BrockwayJoe Brockway is posing for photographer, Rod Stroh, on Proctor street in Sandy. Joe really got into character for the launch of his very short modeling career...he was such a character!

Longtime Guild member, Joe Brockway unexpectedly passed away leaving a hole in the fabric of our Guild. He will be missed.

Joe was a Jack of all trades. He built the Guild's coffee-cart which he brought faithfully to every event. A real character, Joe was well known around the streets of Sandy for his cantankerous quips and his gregarious and giving nature.

A couple of years ago Joe said, "I'm going to learn to paint and become a fine artists before I die. It isn't a matter of whether I can do it or not, but it's just a matter of how long it it'll take." After a Guild meeting where Jim Martin, one of Norman Rockwell's young models spoke, Joe felt inspired to turn the focus of his paintings to the subject of old men and boys.

To further his journey as a painter, he built an art studio and was very proud of it. He felt the secluded location, away from the house and in the trees, was the right environment in which to be creative. At the time of his passing he was working on a painting of an old man. Only the artist knows whether their piece is still in progress, or is finished; we can only speculate.

Joe was also interested in helping young people find their potential and talked about a scholarship program. This is a goal that he shared with us, an organization whose mission is to educate.

We can all take a lesson from Joe's 'can-do' attitude. Thanks for everything, Joe.

It is ART that makes life,
makes interest, makes importance,
and I know of no substitute for the
FORCE and BEAUTY of its process.
Henry James

Why Wy 'east Artisans Guild?

Public Meetings

On the second Monday of the month, except June, July, August and December, Wy 'east Artisans Guild (WAG) holds an open meeting, in Sandy, Oregon, where we have art related programs. The programs may include a speaker, demonstration, hands on project, round table discussions or show of work. We come together to produce a program to broaden exposure to the arts and expand art appreciation in out community. The meetings are a growth opportunity for WAG as wee can attract new members and for the attendees as they are exposed to interesting topics.

Workshops, Classes & Field Trips:

The Workshop Team initiates and sponsors or leads workshops and classes. We've had: Silk Painting, Collage, Stained-Glass Stepping Stones, Figure Drawing, Beading, Jewelry Fabrication and Block Printing, Raku and Italic Writing Classes / Workshops. Field trips to: Portland Museum or Art, Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Plein Aire Painting, "See the Gorge Through Artists Eyes" walks and other art related events.

Our WAG Field-trip Coordinator arranges carpools and facilitates admissions. All of these activities are open to the public and have taken place in and around the Mt. Hood corridor.

Kid's Outreach:

WAG's Kids Outreach team goes into the community to teach arts and crafts to children in schools and other events. WAG not only supplies a free teacher, but finds creative ways to fund the projects. Clearly education of the children is the primary goal, but the members get something of an education from the kids as well. Through donations we are hoping to fund more projects next year.

Exhibitions:

Members are encouraged to show their work in exhibitions sponsored by WAG and others. Some members of WAG are Art Explorers, Art Lovers or Art Supporters and they are encouraged to support WAGS exhibits by hanging the exhibits, doing publicity and generally bringing in the community to expose them to the art. WAG is working to enhance the expertise and experience of its members. In talks given at these venues artist illustrate how they are inspired to create their work and methods used. These talks enliven the art and we hope inspires viewers.

Networking Opportunities:

Artists and artisans alike fit into several categories in our organization. WAGs members are; professionals, amateurs and folks who have joined for personal enrichment, they may or may not have "an art form" to show, but love art. The organization provides a social and educational network for introducing the arts and artists to the community. We pass along information about shows, festivals and other resources for artists, acting as a conduit for information. We have a lending library of art books and lesson plans for art in schools. WAG's Newsletter Editor publishes a regular monthly newsletter which is supplemented by special information emails. We have worked with the local actor's theater, other community organizations including the City of Sandy to foster community awareness and appreciation of art. for art. These events repeat on a yearly basis.

Annual Project:

Solace in Silk:

WAG members hand paint silk scarves and give them to Chemotherapy patients in the Mt. Hood corridor, educating patients on their use and adding quality to their life through art. At the same time we are educating the public on ways art can improve the quality of life for chemotherapy patients. Our goal was to raise enough funds through donations to supply 50 scarves to patients and we have met that goal. This was an idea we had in the fall of 2009 with dues and donations. may volunteers have been active in the program, thee first of our Annual Projects.

The purpose of the annual project is to raise enough money to expand the other activities of WAG, already listed and to find new ways of fulfilling our mission. WAG wants to keep the membership dues low to encourage a broad base of community support. We want the community, as a whole to recognize the value of our organization and to feel their donations are wisely spent.

Wy 'east Artisans guild wants you to know...

WAG strives to stimulate interest and appreciation in the arts and crafts in the local communities. We encourage, inspire and create cultural awareness through educational programs, workshops, field trips, exhibits and other public gatherings.

We foster opportunities for interaction between local neighborhoods, business and artists by sponsoring art exhibits and networking events. We show ways art can improve the quality of life and provide personal enrichment.

Our membership is open to anyone interested in promoting art in the Mt. Hood corridor. We do not discriminate based on race, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation or any other basis prohibited by law. WAG is a not for profit organization which adheres to 501C3 regulations.