Cross Culture: Bike+Art Love Festival 2010
What does a pulse-pounding, adrenaline-fueled National Championship bike race have in common with the arts?
Quite a lot, thanks to the second annual “Cross Culture: Bike + Art Love Festival” scheduled as part of the 2010 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships in Bend, Oregon, this December. Sponsored by Visit Bend and produced by Cross Culture founder and Bend resident Cassondra Schindler, the Cross Culture Arts Festival will take place December 9-11, 2010, at various locations throughout Bend.
“This is the second year we’ve partnered with Cross Culture to showcase Bend’s vibrant arts community to visitors from across the country,” said Visit Bend CEO Doug La Placa. “The Cross Culture Arts Festival is an opportunity to introduce Oregon artists to a national audience at one of the most prestigious cycling events in the nation. There’s so much amazing creativity associated with bike culture, and we’re honored to be part of sharing it.”
Cross Culture celebrates Oregon artists with an affinity for the bicycle across mediums. A consortium of local organizations including Arts Central, Nature of Words, PoetHouse, Commute Options and Bend Community Bike Shed plan on a lively celebration of bike culture for all ages that will kick off with a storytelling forum called Spoke-N-Word. Storytelling begins at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 9th, at Portello Wine Bar + Café in Bend’s NorthWest Crossing neighborhood.
Festivities continue Friday, December 10th, with a downtown community art walk featuring photography, painting, handmade bikes, zines, film and live music. The art walk will also include ARTCRANK, an international show of bicycle-inspired artwork.
“I am one of many local cyclists thrilled about Bend’s ongoing relationship with USA Cycling,” said Cross Culture founder and producer Cassondra Schindler. “Incorporating a community-wide arts celebration into Cyclocross Nationals makes sense on many levels. Not only does Cross Culture showcase local and regional creative talents, but it also honors organizations and businesses with vision and commitment to a sustainable future for our community.”
Follow all the updates from Cross Culture on Twitter: http://twitter.com/crossculturebnd
