Mosaics, murals to be displayed at Fairgrounds

Kathy Jederlinich is on a mission to brighten Corvallis with community-made art for everyone to enjoy.

A community art educator for more than 30 years, her passion for art and community involvement inspired her to start workshops at the Benton County Fairgrounds in what she calls the Backbone Murals and Mosaic project.

“The people are the backbone of the community,” Jederlinich said. “Without people, there is no community.”

There are myriad art projects being constructed within the Backbone Murals and Mosaic workshops. One main piece in progress will be a mural made of 600 individual tiles carved with locally found plants and animals that, when stained and put together, will create a scene of rural Oregon wine country.

Jederlinich has taken this project to schools, the Corvallis Farmer’s Market and the Corvallis Senior Center for the community to paint. She has more than 300 of the tiles finished.

When the project is completed, it will be installed in the garden area at the fairgrounds.

“What a beautiful way to give back to the community,” Jederlinich said.

Jederlinich has worked as an art educator with all ages, from kindergarten students to adults, and she hopes this type of community art involvement will start here and spread to all areas of the community.

“You don’t have to have any experience,” Jederlinich said. “I’d rather they come explore the possibilities.”

Jederlinich said she often has people who are intimidated by art and say they don’t know how to create.

“There is no right or wrong in art,” Jederlinich said. “Once you know the technique, you can do it. I never do something that you can’t succeed at.”

Angela Johnson was one participant Tuesday learning how to carve an owl into a clay tile. She heard about the workshops and decided to try it without much prior experience.

“I just wanted to come and learn how to do mosaics,” Johnson said.

That is exactly what Jederlinich hopes people will do. She said the learning process is constant, and she is always finding new ways to do things with the help of her students.

Most of the tools used in workshops are not exactly what you might find in a traditional art studio. She has foam food containers and wood blocks that have been cut and pressed into shapes for paint stamping on old vinyl banners.

“There are a lot of reclaimed, recycled products. I totally believe in it,” Jederlinich said.

Many of the ceramic pieces for the mosaics come from broken plates and tiles. Jederlinich scours Craigslist for unwanted donation materials.

Tool and supply donations are always accepted. Participants are encouraged, but not required to give a donation to keep the workshops available for everyone.

Jederlinich hopes these workshops will produce art for visitors to enjoy and foster a sense of community pride and fulfillment for participants.

“They can create a legacy,” Jederlinich said. “It’s bragging rights. You can come back years later and say ‘I did that.'”

Jederlinich has not set an end date for the project. She hosts workshops Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Emma-Kate Schaake

City reporter

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