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Timeline
2012 Timeline

June 16 - 24, 2012
Fields Project Week

June 23, 2012
Mix It Up, 3rd Annual Sidewalk Painting Event
Mix Park, Oregon, Il

June 24, 2012
Fields Project Arts Festival, Oregon Park - West. Oregon, IL

June 24, 2012
Community Art Legacy
8th Sculpture Competition
Oregon Park- West. Oregon, IL

	Bringing Art and Agriculture Together Located in Ogle County, Illinois is the small community of Oregon, Illinois home of The Fields Project Inc., Oregon is nestled in the scenic Rock River Valley amid forests, state parks with sandstone outcroppings, prairie vegetation, wild life and farm land. The natural beauty surrounding the Rock River Valley continues to provide an endless subject matter for plein air artists, photographers and those artists who may choose to work in other media. The Fields Project, Inc. was born in 1998, at the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Eagles’ Nest Art Colony. The original Eagles’ Nest Art Colony was founded in 1898 by Lorado Taft, a sculptor and instructor at the Art institute of Chicago. He and a group of artist friends sought a summer place to take their families and a place where they could create art in its many forms. They shared their created art while summering yearly near the community of Oregon, Illinois. The Colony left behind a rich heritage of sculpture, paintings, photography and architecture. The Colony ceased to exist in 1942 with the death of its last founding member. The Oregon Public Library, which should be visited, was designed by brother architects Pond and Pond, who were members of the original Eagles’ Nest Art Colony. The library’s art gallery houses an impressive collection of paintings, maquettes and related art donated by members of the original art colony. Among these are the maquettes of Taft’s “the Blind” and of the ”Eternal Indian,” or “Blackhawk,” as it is affectionately known. The primary objective of The Fields Project, Inc. is to “Bring Art and Agriculture Together,” by creating a continuing relationship between artists, farmers, environmentalists and educators. To this end, we offer a nine-day program for “Artists in Residence,” which includes lodging with a host farm family. During this time, artists can apply their craft in a leisurely, inspirational setting. Artists have been coming to Ogle County, Illinois for over 100 years to capture its essence on canvas, in photos or in a sculptural manner. On the last day of the event, the Fields Project has an Art Festival culminating in the artistic efforts of those Artists In Residence, Regional Artists, and a juried sculptural competition held in one of the most beautiful of park settings . . . Oregon Park West, in Oregon, Illinois. The first Fields Project Art Festival included eight artists from across the U.S. and Canada working in various media. An artist from Tucson, AZ was the first to do a Field Sculpture or the mowing of a design on acres of grasses. Thereafter four to six had been done yearly. Unfortunately, this aspect of the Fields Project came to an end in 2012 due to government regulations after 13 successful years. Working under the Fields Project 501 (c)3 is the sub-committee, Community Art Legacy (CAL).Continuing the Lorado Taft tradition, CAL has adopted a program to place “10 sculptures in 10 years, “ on the Oregon Sculpture Trail. The first cast bronze was place in 2005 and they have followed with another installation each succeeding year. Contributions to the CAL project are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. The Fields Project, Inc. continues to move forward with its Artists in Residence nine-day event, the Art Festival and the many artists who participate, the Community Art Legacy and other activities providing for the community, visitors and all those who are interested in the relationship of Bringing Art and Agriculture Together. An account of the Eagle's Nest Camp - by Elizabeth Dickerson Palmer For additional information refer to other pages on our website:
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