August 2024 Featured Artist: Sam Larsen

Sam Larsen is returning to our Featured Artist wall for August this year. Sam is not a local in Sherman County but has spent a lot of time photographing and researching old buildings and properties around Sherman County. After his retirement in 2006 and some extra time on his hands, he picked up his camera and began exploring Oregon’s rural landscapes. He fell in love with the rural scenes including old farm buildings, especially barns! As time rolls on some of these old buildings no longer exist and many locals are grateful to have them captured in Larsen’s images. We are grateful for this visual record of our county.

Sam grew up in a small farming community in southern Wisconsin. As a teen, he worked on his grandfather’s farm, baling hay and cultivating corn. After graduating from high school, he studied chemistry, eventually earning a PhD from the University of Texas. In 1979, Sam joined a process development group at Eli Lilly and Co. For Larsen, research often involved spending countless hours with a microscope taking pictures of crystals, and analyzing for ideal form and purity.

All photos were taken by Sam Larsen in Sherman County between 2013 and 2022 on private property.  Property access was gained with the permission of the property owners. Larsen is very appreciative and thankful to all those who granted him the opportunity to photograph the beautiful landscape of Sherman County. Larsen is always very aware of his surroundings and practiced fire safety parking and used on-foot access at all property locations. 

July 2024 Featured Artists: Saving Nines 4-H Sewing Club Projects

The Sherman County Saving Nines 4H Sewing Club constructed the Emma Jean Smith 4H Memorial Quilt this year, using much of the fabric that Lowell Smith donated to the sewing club.  Each student made two quilt blocks to create the quilt!  They are thrilled that Lowell donated so much fabric and sewing supplies that Emma Jean had in her home.  Emma Jean would be very proud to see her fabric and the skills she taught being handed down to yet another generation of sewers. A special THANK YOU and recognition to Lowell Smith for his generosity!  THANK YOU also to Lisa Shafer – Lisa’s in Stitches for donating the batting, backing, and quilting of the quilt.

If you would like to buy tickets, they are $5 each or 5 for $20.  You can contact Kara Lanthorn at klanthorn@gmail.com or call or text her at 541-993-3012 to purchase tickets.  Please also look for the club at the local farmers markets in Grass Valley on July 13 and August 10, as well as at the fair on August 21 – 24.  Funds from the quilt raffle will go to purchasing more supplies for the sewing club.

This year the club has 19 members, 8 of whom are first-year sewers.  They have worked on potholders, table runners, candy zipper pouches, elastic waistband pants and skirts, blouses, make-up caddies, tote bags, quilts, dress pants, and dress skirts.  The students will all have at least one wearable item at the fair and many will also have a non-wearable item.

They are very grateful for the generous funds the James Weir Memorial Fund provided to our club for purchasing 10 new sewing machines, a serger, a quilting machine, and many sewing supplies.  They would not be able to do all of this teaching and learning without the use of these amazing new machines. They have saved so much time, not having to fix machines at all times.

June 2024 Featured Artist: Stacy Bird

Fifth-generation Sherman Countain, Stacy Bird, showcases her unique eye for rural photography - featuring her two fan favorites: Murray the Furry Farm Cat and Loranzo the Longhorn.

Growing up on a farm near Starvation Point, her place was homesteaded in the late 1890s by the RA Murrays (whom Murray the car is named after), then the Kennys, and now the Birds. Stacy counts her blessings daily for having ample opportunities to capture her signature country flair and cat hair.

You can find more prints, cards, and other goodies here at the museum store; The Mezzanine located in the Oregon Frontier Chamber of Commerce in Condon, OR; the Breezeway Antiques in The Dalles, OR; various local farmer’s markets/bazaars; or online at Facebook @Birdie’s Bits and Pieces or Instagram @smbirdie

August 2023 Featured Artist: Sam Larsen Photography

Sam Larsen’s photography of places around Sherman County will be featured at the Sherman County Historical Museum for the month of August. Larsen has been retired since 2006. With some extra time on his hands, he picked up his camera and began exploring Oregon’s rural landscapes. He fell in love with the rural scenes including old farm buildings, especially barns! As time rolls on some of these old buildings no longer exist and many locals are grateful to have them captured in Larsen’s images.

Sam grew up in a small farming community in southern Wisconsin. As a teen, he worked on his grandfather’s farm, baling hay and cultivating corn. After graduating from high school, he studied chemistry, eventually earning a PhD from the University of Texas. In 1979, Sam joined a process development group at Eli Lilly and Co. For Larsen, research often involved spending countless hours with a microscope taking pictures of crystals, analyzing for ideal form and purity.

All photos were taken by Sam Larsen in Sherman County between 2013 and 2022 on private property.  Property access was gained with the permission of the property owners. Larsen is very appreciative and thankful to all those that granted him the opportunity to photograph the beautiful landscape of Sherman County. Larsen is always very aware of his surroundings and practiced fire safety parking and used on-foot access at all property locations. 

Thanks Sam for sharing your artwork with the Sherman County Historical Museum. Please stop by and view this outstanding Featured Artist display now through Labor Day.

September 2022 Featured Artist: Sherman County Photography Club

In 2015, the Sherman County Photography Club was formed so community members that shared the passion for photography could share, discover and learn new ways to have fun with photography. New members are always welcome to join and participate. Monthly meetings on the 4th Monday of every month at 6pm at the SC Extension Building in Moro, Oregon which is attended by members and guests. Usually there is a guest speaker and/or a lesson for the current month's topic. Field trips are planned and members are encouraged to submit 2 recent photos related to the monthly topic. If you like to take photos you will enjoy your time being involved with the Sherman County Photography Club. This months display are photos that were entries in the Sherman County Fair.

June 2022 Featured Artist: Celilo Falls

On March 10, 1957, hundreds of observers looked on as a rising Lake Celilo rapidly silenced the falls, submerged fishing platforms, and consumed the village of Celilo, ending an age-old existence for those who lived there.

Celilo Falls was a tribal fishing area on the Columbia River, just east of the Cascade Mountains, on what is today the border between the U.S. states of Oregon and Washington, approximately 13 miles upstream from the The Dalles, Oregon.

The falls formed a rough horseshoe shape across the river, with two nearby ancient Indian villages – Wyam, on the Oregon side of the river, and S’kin on the Washington side that disappeared into the reservoir behind the dam, now referred to as Lake Celilo.  Indians fished along the entire stretch of the river from the falls to The Dalles, but were most active near the base of the falls and the Long Narrows.  In the narrows areas, basalt outcroppings provided places to stand along and in the river’s flow, and the protruding rocks swirled the river into opaque turbulence that concealed the Indian’s nets from the sharp-eyed salmon.  Farther upstream, others fished with spear, hook and net from perches on timber scaffold over the crashing water at the very base of the falls.

In addition to providing a bountiful and predictable supply of salmon the area around the falls became the center of an Indian trading network that stretched to British Columbia in the north, California to the south, and east as far as the Great Plains. Lewis and Clark took the first rough census of the population along this portion of the Columbia and estimated that in 1805 and 1806, between 7,400 and 10,400 Indians were living permanently or seasonally encamped between the Cascade Rapids (not far from Cascade Locks) and past The Dalles, Oregon.

After the catastrophic Vanport flood in 1948 the Columbia River and Willamette River ran wild claiming 52 lives and causing significant destruction.  After many years of studies and meetings had taken place regarding the river and dams, it was the Flood Control Act of 1950 that Congress directed the Corp of Engineers to construct and operate at The Dalles site a multipurpose dam that would ease navigation, generate hydroelectric power, and help control Columbia River floods.  When the dam was completed Celilo Falls was submerged and silenced forever and the waters downstream from the dam became Lake Celilo.

*colored photo donated by Doug Reid, framed photos donated by Greg Greenwood, and misc. prints from local photographer Chet Coats, other photos found in collection*

May 2021 Featured Artist: Sherman Elementary School Students

May 2022 is featuring the artwork of Sherman County’s young artists from Sherman Elementary. During the month of May, come see the display of the kids art in the museum lobby. This exhibit is free of charge and a great way to enjoy the talents of our young budding artist! The second graders used mixed media to create tigers and Mexican suns. The third graders created abstract watercolor paintings.

October 2019 Featured Artist: Marcy Richelderfer

October 2019 is featuring photographer Marcy Richelderfer. Marcy’s talents are also known as Locked & Loaded Photography.

Marcy was born and raised in Sherman County, and is the daughter of Dan and Elaine Richelderfer. She graduated in the class of 2003 from Sherman High School. Marcy can often be found wandering the back-roads with her camera in hand.

Contact information for Locked & Loaded Photography: lockedandloadedphotography@gmail.com or (541) 288-8385.

September 2019 Featured Artist: Dowen Jones Photography

Photographer Dowen Jones is part of the Sherman County community and mayor of the small town of Rufus, Oregon and the Featured Local Artist for September. Dowen is an electrician traveling up and down the Columbia River Gorge as well as all over the Pacific Northwest year round. He has a huge appreciation for nature and the beauty in this area. With his cell phone in hand, Dowen captures some of the most scenic views and interesting close-ups around our local communities.

All of Dowen’s photos were taken with his cell phone and the quality is impressive! The photos we have on display in the lobby of the Sherman County Historical Museum are just the tip of his large collection. The variety of photos on display are black and white, panoramic and color. Dowen is the photographer that makes the extra effort to take a photo from the angle you might not see and scenic views from places you may never hike!

Dowen’s photos will be on display until the end of September 2019. Please visit the museum to see the photos by Dowen. There is no charge for this exhibit which is on display in the lobby of the museum for the month of September. The award-winning Museum in Moro is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through October.

August 2019 Featured Artist: Museum Vintage Quilt Blocks

The Sherman County Historical Museum has a number of unfinished quilts and quilt blocks in their collection that have been donated over the past few years. These vintage quilt blocks are wonderful works of art. Some blocks are hand stitched, some are applique quilt blocks, and some blocks have embroidery on them. There is even an unfinished quilt top that demonstrates the intense workmanship of a skilled quilt maker. Unfortunately, little is known about who made these blocks. Some of the blocks were donated by the family of Ked & Nina (Belshee) Dejmal and are friendship blocks all dating 1932 with embroidered names of women of Sherman County. Please stop by and take a look at this history of Sherman County and some art of the past!

June & July 2019 Featured Artist: Sherman County Photography Club

In 2015, the Sherman County Photography Club was formed so community members that shared the passion for photography could share, discover and learn new ways to have fun with photography.  New members are always welcome to join and participate.  Monthly meetings on the 4th Monday of every month at 6pm at the SC Extension Building in Moro, Oregon which is attended by members and guests. Usually there is a guest speaker and/or a lesson for the current month's topic.  Field trips are planned and members are encouraged to submit 2 recent photos related to the monthly topic.  If you like to take photos you will enjoy your time being involved with the Sherman County Photography Club.

October, 2018 - Lowell Smith Photography

Sherman County resident Lowell Smith is the Sherman County Historical Museum Featured Artist for October 2018.

Lowell was born and raised in Grass Valley, Oregon, and after graduating from Oregon State University he returned to the farm in 1975 raising his family and retiring in 2011.

Lowell got his first camera in 1964 taking photos of family, holidays and school events and in 2003, he got his first digital camera. After years of taking snapshots and using seven different cameras, Lowell began to use photo software and find the creative artist side of photography.

Lowell’s photos of the county are on display in the Sherman County Courthouse and he is an active member of the Sherman County Photography Club. He enjoys landscape photography, night photography and capturing the outdoor beauty along his hiking adventures.

Please visit the museum to view Lowell Smith’s photos. There is no charge for this exhibit which is on display in the lobby of the museum for the month of October.  The award-winning Museum in Moro is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through October.

August, 2018 - Abbey Phelps, Kitting & Fiber Arts

Abbey Phelps has always felt a need to create art. Though she has worked in many mediums, when she found knitting and fiber arts she was “hooked”. Beginning knitting in 2010, she quickly found that she enjoyed the challenge of creating complicated knit lace. She released her first pattern in 2011. Each of these pieces was designed and knit by Abbey, the patterns for each are published independently on Ravelry.com. Her patterns have also been featured in Vogue Knitting and published by Imperial Stock Ranch.

Her favorite medium is silk and merino wool yarn. The merino wool adds softness and memory to the yarn which allows the yarn to remember its open shape and shows the lace pattern to its fullest. The silk adds shine and strength to the yarn and helping to keep each shawl looking its best for as long as possible.

Each item displayed takes between 10 hours and 80 hours to complete. Many of the pieces are beaded with small glass beads. The pieces that change color are created using 4 to 6 skeins of yarn, each dyed a different combination of colors.

The triangular shawls are knit from a single stitch in the center top, increasing in size on subsequent rows. The rounds shawls are knit from the center stitch and knit in circular rounds rather than rows. The green shawl displayed on the mannequin has over 1,000 stitches on each of the final few rounds and uses over 2,000 beads. You can view more of her work at ravelry.com/designers/abigailphelps.

July, 2018 - Linda Krasfic, Baby Quilts

The Sherman County local Artist Series is featuring Quilting by Linda Krafsic for the month of July at the Sherman County Historical Museum.  Linda learned to sew as a member of her 4-H club and while attending Home Economics Class at Sherman County High School.  Growing up Linda made many of her own clothes but realized in her 20's that some clothes could be purchased for less than what it cost to make them and her projects turned to making a few simple quilts before finding a new hobby.

 Linda put her sewing on the back burner for a number of years when she took up the hobby of counted cross stitch until her eyes no longer focused well on close-up hand work.  After she and her husband retired and began spending their winters in Arizona, Linda's Arizona neighbor got her interested in quilting.  She enjoyed making table runners and baby or lap quilts since they didn't take much time to make and they made good gifts.  Linda has donated quilts for different fund raisers and after her brother Dean Macnab received chemotherapy the Celilo Center in The Dalles, she donated a quilt to Celilo Center.

 Please visit the museum to see Quilts by Linda Krafsic. There is no charge for this exhibit which is on display in the lobby of the museum for the month of July.The award-winning Museum in Moro is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through October.