About OASF
Our Mission
The Oregon Artists Series Foundation was established in 2008 to foster to the exhibition of art in public spaces in Salem, Oregon and to encourage the addition of works of art to the City of Salem’s public art collection for the benefit of its residents and visitors for years to come.
Since then, we’ve collaborated with the City of Salem, its Public Art Commission and the Salem Convention Center to site a wide range of artworks throughout downtown – artworks that pique the public’s interest and encourage people to explore.
Pioneering Public Art in Salem
We began our work with a series of Mayor’s invitational art exhibitions at the Salem Convention Center. Works were purchased and formed the start of the collection that’s now on display in the award winning facility. The collection has grown with regular acquisitions, with several added in 2023.
OASF pioneered the installation of public sculptures downtown and the development of the outdoor Sculpture Court at the Salem Convention Center. We work closely with the Convention Center and others to make art an integral part of downtown Salem.
Since 2015, OASF has presented an annual event to raise awareness of public art and recognize key arts leaders and innovators in Salem.
In 2022, we launched the Level 2 Gallery on the second floor of the Convention Center to present changing solo and group exhibits of work by established and emerging artists of the region. Later that year, we entered into an agreement with the Salem Public Library to program its new Art Hall in the newly renovated library.
We use our nonprofit status to seek grants and major gifts to acquire art for the Convention Center and downtown. We've also successfully brokered the gift of major works of art that we've then gifted to the City of Salem. Our annual fundraising event, Flip for Art is a recent one, generates both public excitement and funds for more artwork. We've developed a strategic partnership with the Hallie Ford Museum of Art at Willamette for the loan of major paintings for the Salem Convention Center.
OASF Board of Directors
We're a committed group of business and community leaders, artists, designers and others who believe that art enriches our community and helps create an environment that is good for residents, visitors and business. We continuously seek to engage and partner with others who can help advance our work.
Rick Yurk, President
Steven Addams, Vice President
Chrissie Bertsch, Secretary
Gretchen Stone, Treasurer
Ron Cowan
Christine D’Arcy
Kristin Kuhns
Erich Paetsch
Pamela Triplett
Carlee Wright
Mary Lou Zeek
Jim Bauer, Nancy Lindburg, Anna Peterson
Emeritus Board Members
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
