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Siberian Dreams features the work of Irkutsk artists who are inspired by the myths, legends and folklore
<br />of native Siberians. Like American Indians, 85 Siberian tribes are committed to honoring their history
<br />and retaining their unique languages and traditions. The most populous tribe in the Irkutsk region is the
<br />Buryat, whose history is intimately tied to the origins of Shamanism. Lake Baikal, near which Irkutsk is
<br />located, is considered the birthplace of Siberian Shamanism and is called "Grandfather Sea" by the
<br />Buryat.
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<br />In 2001, Yuri Pantioukhin, a member of the EISCC Board of Directors who lived in Irkutsk for many
<br />years, showed his art collection to Dena Brown, a professional art consultant and fellow board member.
<br />When she saw a watercolor titled "Shaman Woman" by Irkutsk artist Vitaly Smaguin, she was reminded
<br />of work by contemporary Native American artists. After several years of planning by Brown and
<br />Pantioukhin, a generous grant from Sister Cities International and the United States State Department
<br />made the exhibit a reality. In November 2004, exhibit curator Brown and consultant Dorothy Nunez
<br />(Apache/Chumash) traveled to Irkutsk to meet local artists and members of the Buryat community. They
<br />chose artwork based on quality and appropriateness to the subject. Siberian Dreams is a seed program
<br />for future art projects. A portion of the artwork sales goes towards a companion exhibit, NATIVE
<br />DREAMS, which will tour the Irkutsk region and feature artwork by contemporary Willamette Valley
<br />artists. For more information on Siberian Dreams, call Dena Brown at 744-0909.
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<br />Children, Public to Discover Public Works at Special Event
<br />On Thursday, May 19, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., more than 1,000 children,
<br />accompanied by hundreds of teachers, parents and adult chaperones, will
<br />visit the Eugene Public Works yard at 1820 Roosevelt Boulevard to learn
<br />about the department's programs and services. To date, 47 elementary
<br />school classrooms have signed up to attend. Most have requested a guided
<br />tour of the hands-on exhibits specifically designed for elementary-age C/ty o£Eu~dene ?u~//¢ Worlds
<br />children to have fun while learning about Public Works maintenance,
<br />stormwater, parks, wastewater, airport, and engineering activities. The event
<br />is open to the public, and councilors are invited to attend.
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<br />The theme of this year's open house is "Discover Eugene Public Works," and
<br />most of the exhibits will be part of one of the following theme or activity
<br />areas:
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<br />· Tiny Town, a simulated road system that teaches about the city's
<br /> transportation system and traffic safety
<br />· Tiny Park, an interactive park experience that includes a mini playground, tree stumps for climbing,
<br /> water insects in Petri dishes, an area for digging for bugs, and visits with Nearby Nature critters in
<br /> costume
<br />· Water World, an exploration of water systems, habitat and cycles
<br />· The Equipment Rodeo, featuring mowers, tractors, dump trucks, a backhoe, aerial boom truck, street
<br /> sweeper, and other Public Works equipment on display
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<br />Other activities include a trailer ride through the Public Works' "back yard" and a mock construction
<br />zone, a model Airport security clearance station, group photos framed in a picture of a manhole cover,
<br />and a booth featuring a composting worm bin.
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<br />"The children loved the equipment, the frogs and insects in costume, sitting in trucks and equipment,
<br />riding through a work zone, digging for bugs, and the helpful and friendly staff," said one teacher in her
<br />evaluation of last year's event. For more information about the event, contact Public Works Public
<br />Affairs Manager Eric Jones at 682-5523.
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<br />Friends of the Library Book Sale a Huqe Success
<br />The Friends of Eugene Public Library have done it again! The 27th Annual Friends Book Sale, held April
<br />16 and 17, grossed $73,780 to support the Library in providing the community with workshops, talks, and
<br />performances for kids, teens, and adults, as well as new books, audiobooks, music CDs, videos, and
<br />DVDs. Lane County Fairgrounds' Wheeler Pavilion was filled to the brim all weekend with happy
<br />booklovers of all ages, browsing, chatting, recommending titles, greeting old friends, and meeting new
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<br />EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2
<br />May 12, 2005
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