The Phoenix Oregon Art Commission (POAC) is making an impact on local lives by introducing the Second Friday Art Walk. The first few months of this year have been a major success in helping local shops get more business while providing the community with fun activities, deals, entertainment, extended hours, and a healthy amount of walking. 

The Artist Attic (also known as Scrappy Craft and Gid-De-Up Boutique) has been open as an art supply store since 2007. The building started as a horse tack supply in 1995 before additions were considered. Since then, this place has undergone many upgrades and now provides the community with a place to hang out and be crafty. A local family-owned business, Barnett Investments LLC, are the current owners of this shop trio. 

Picture provided by Google Street Maps

The Artist Attic is recognized by the POAC and Chamber of Commerce for its contributions to local art programs and schools. Summer Stephenson is the manager of the building and leads the Artist Attic Team. She tells us how their shop(s) participate in the Art Walk. “The Art Walk started at the end of last year… we are open until 7 (pm)… we try to have one of our teachers or students come in to basically show their work… we are still getting started, so (things may change) according to what makes people come in.”  The Second Friday Art Walk is a commitment that businesses agree to. The shops may opt out 3 months in a total year, with weather influencing off times significantly. On their Facebook page, you can follow their events to participate. 

Flyer and map created by Melissa Fairhurst using Canva

The Artist Attic offers daily art classes covering a variety of skills, including watercolor, acrylic, oils, drawing, card making, and more.  Here is the calendar for the month of April. Artists who are interested in teaching are encouraged to reach out to the shop for opportunities. Summer Stephenson says that they “have a full range of student to professional supplies.” Art supplies can be purchased before or even during classes. The art instructors provide a list of needed supplies before classes start. They can also use the instructor’s supplies for a small fee. 

Also, along this route, I interviewed Melissa Fairhurst at Coffee Bach’s in Phoenix, Ore. This coffee and wine lounge has an artistic, homey feel that makes its customers comfortable. 

Coffee Bach’s, photos by Cayla Pair

Melissa Fairhurst, who goes by Miss Fairy, shares how she is involved with the community and how Phoenix is getting more creative. At age 35, she is an Art Instructor at The Artist Attic. She is also a local musician and art commissioner who can be booked through her website. She is part of the Steering Committee and is a voice for POAC, as well as the Chamber of Commerce. Miss Fairy has an 8-year-old son who is learning guitar, but they are currently side questing with a room-sized hamster enclosure. A normal week, she tells us, looks like this: “I have my intro students right now on Sundays. I have two classes. I actually put out the feelers just for one class, but I had so many requests that I opened two groups. I also have my Monday and Tuesday ongoing groups. So, five groups, two Mondays, three Tuesdays. And those are ongoing for any level, so sometimes people join who have never painted, and other people are gallery artists…and then the rest is really good, gig-oriented, so I’ll have meeting, or I’ll be able to work from home for the art store doing some of their website, template sales, promotion, newsletters, stuff like that…So even Friday night is my networking day. Because we have an art walk, the First Friday art walk in Ashland, the second Friday art walk here in Phoenix, the third Friday Art Walk is in Medford, and the fourth Friday Art Walk is in Talent… every single Friday I can go and either meet another artist, meet another gallery owner, meet another, and potentially another buyer if I’m trying, you know, for when I’m back more into selling my own art phase.” Throughout Miss Fairy’s hard-working schedule, she is making concrete local changes to keep up the momentum of the growing community. 

Jackson County takes pride in what it has to offer, and many more programs are being talked about, organized, and funded. The future of Phoenix, Oregon, is full of opportunities for small businesses, collaborations, and independent creative minds.