OASF recognized four individuals and one cultural nonprofit with its 2022 Community Arts Awards at an Art Party! in connection with the launch of a new gallery space at the Salem Convention Center. The party celebrated the opening, delayed due to the COVID 19 epidemic, of the Level 2 Gallery in February 2022. It also marked the acquisition of two major works for the Center’s collection, Home Pool by Richard Thompson in 2020 and Mystère Ontologique (Ontological Mystery or Mystery of Being) by Rob Bibler in 2021.
OASF began its awards in 2015 to mark the 10th anniversary of the Salem Convention Center and to recognize those who use the arts to build community in Salem.
Presented with awards at the Art Party! were:
Capitol Auto Group, for community leadership and its contributions to arts and other nonprofits across Salem
Shelley Curtis, who managed Salem’s first Mayor’s Invitational exhibitions at the Salem Convention Center
Eileen Cotter Howell, visual artist, organizer and volunteer
Terry Melton, posthumously, for his work as an artist and for lifetime achievement and advancement of the arts
Salem Multicultural Institute/World Beat Festival, for its vision of diversity, equity and inclusion to showcase Salem’s rich and diverse cultures.
Award winners were presented with an original woodblock print by noted Portland printmaker Dennis Cunningham.
