The Open Arts Center

Home
United States
Bend, OR
The Open Arts Center

We’re also dedicating half of our cen

The Open Arts Center is a nonprofit creative arts center that will provide free after school programming, self-directed learning, and community-sourced mentorship for Central Oregon’s teens, between the ages of 12-18.

09/05/2026

Last night’s First Friday and Open Studio was so special! We’re grateful to everyone who came out to see all the wonderful art that is being created within these walls.

It’s a pinch me moment when we can step back and see all that is emerging from this growing community at The OAC! It’s pretty freaking magical.

Interested in becoming a part of it?
We have a 6x6’ studio opening in October and have shared studio memberships available now!

Fill out our application online or contact Maija at [email protected]

We can’t wait to welcome you in!

08/19/2026

We are constantly blown away by the creativity of the teens that walk through our doors!

These guys came in with a clear sense of what they wanted to do and made it happen! They upcycled clothes they brought in and made them their own by cutting out designs and filling them in with fabric we had on hand. It was incredible to see them bust these out within one day of Open Art Hours!

Are you a teen wanting to learn to sew or get into fashion design? We’d love to have you come to Open Sew hours on Monday’s from 2-3pm or get certified to use our sewing machines M-F during our Summer Open Art Hours 12-5pm!

08/11/2026

SUMMER AT THE OAC TEEN CENTER

Looking for a creative, welcoming place for your teen to spend time this August?

The OAC Teen Center is open Monday–Friday, 12–5 PM, giving teens a space to connect, create, explore new interests, and be part of a growing community of young creatives.

We’re excited about the energy teens are bringing to the OAC this summer, and there’s even more on the way.

New creative cohorts are launching soon! These upcoming opportunities will give teens a chance to dive deeper into creative projects, build new skills, and connect with other young people who share their interests.

Whether your teen is already making art or simply looking for a place to get creative and connect, we’d love to have them join us.

Summer Hours Monday–Friday 12–5 PM

Come see what’s happening at the OAC Teen Center, and stay tuned for our upcoming creative cohorts!

Contact Claire, our Teen Programs Director for more information at [email protected]

08/05/2026

✨OPEN CALL FOR ARTISTS!✨

Ancestral Connections: A Community Día de Mu***os Exhibition

The Open Arts Center is excited to announce our first open call for artists! We invite Central Oregon artists to submit artwork and writing for a community exhibition celebrating remembrance, ancestry, family, culture, and the connections that shape who we are.

Inspired by the traditions and spirit of Día de Mu***os, this exhibition welcomes artists of all backgrounds to share stories, memories, and creative reflections honoring the people and traditions that live on through us.

* Open to artists ages 16+
* Accepted mediums: 2D & 3D artwork, photography, and creative writing
* Submit up to 3 pieces
* Free to submit
* Submission Deadline: Monday, September 14, 2026
* Exhibition Dates: November 6 – December 18, 2026
* Opening Reception: November 6 | 5–7 PM during the Día de Mu***os Bend celebration

Submit your work and be part of this community celebration.
Link in bio

——————————————————

✨CONVOCATORIA ABIERTA PARA ARTISTAS✨
 Conexiones Ancestrales: Una Exposición Comunitaria por el Día de Mu***os
¡El Open Arts Center anuncia nuestra primera convocatoria abierta para artistas! Invitamos a artistas del Centro de Oregón a presentar obras de arte y escritos para una exposición comunitaria que celebra la memoria, la herencia, la familia, la cultura y las conexiones que nos forman.

Inspirada en las tradiciones y el espíritu del Día de Mu***os, esta exposición invita a artistas de todos los orígenes a compartir historias, recuerdos y expresiones creativas que honran a las personas y tradiciones que permanecen con nosotros.

* Abierta a artistas de 16 años en adelante
* Medios aceptados: obras 2D y 3D, fotografía y escritura creativa
* Puedes presentar hasta 3 obras
* ¡Participación gratuita!
* Fecha límite para enviar obras: lunes 14 de septiembre de 2026
* Fechas de la exposición: 6 de noviem

07/30/2026

Join us for a special evening honoring Rachel Binah and her incredible support of Co-Founders Maija Kellner-Rode & Claire Brislin this First Friday, August 7th from 5-7pm with a dedication speech at 5:30pm

Rachel’s pieces combine paper with unexpected materials such as reclaimed plastics, window screening, Tyvek, roofing tiles, fabric, and paint. Each work is hand-stitched using intentionally rustic techniques with twine, ribbon, or wire, extending beyond traditional rectangular forms to create organic, sculptural compositions. Through these unconventional materials and methods, Rachel invites viewers to see possibility and renewal in what others might overlook.

Please RSVP at the link in our bio!

07/28/2026

The Drama Gym is a drop-in drama club for adults!

Sunday, August 2nd and 30th from 7-8:30pm

Join CoCreated for 90 minutes of acting games, creative exercises, improvisation, and scene work in a fun, supportive environment.

Whether you’re an experienced performer or trying acting for the first time, all you need is a willingness to play and participate.

Sign up on our website. Suggested donation of $15 at the door.

Money should never be a barrier, so if you would like to come but cannot afford the ticket please reach out to Jana at [email protected]. You can also email if you have any other questions!

07/27/2026

We had a BLAST in the Page to Stage camp last week!

Claire is a magician instructor supporting these camper’s imaginations from writing their own script and turning it into their very own play! Their creativity was out of this world! Plus, the costumes!

This week is packed full of art techniques for our OAC Art Lab camp for 8-12 year olds. If you’re still interested in signing your child up, we have room for a few more spots!

07/23/2026

Some people leave a legacy through what they create. Others leave one through the lives they touch. Rachel Binah has done both.

This August, the Open Arts Center is honored to dedicate our gallery in Rachel’s name and present The Rachel Binah Gallery Dedication Art Show—celebrating her extraordinary life as an artist, environmental advocate, mentor, and generous supporter who has helped make the Open Arts Center possible.

Join us for the Gallery Dedication & Opening Reception!
 First Friday, August 7 from 5–7 PM
Dedication at 5:30 PM

We hope you’ll join us for this special evening. You can RSVP at the link in our bio 🔗

07/17/2026

Know someone 8-12 interested in exploring the arts this summer? Sign them up for our OAC Art Lab camp July 27th-31st!

Students will learn to Paint, sculpt, draw, and experiment their way through a week of hands-on creativity using clay, paint, oil pastels, and more. Each day, we’ll explore a new material or style, learn a few artist tricks, and then give you the freedom to follow your own imagination. This is a space to get a little messy, try new things, and make art that’s uniquely theirs.

By the end of the week, they’ll have a collection of original pieces to showcase in our class gallery and take home to share.

🔗Sign up at the link in our bio!

07/15/2026

Please spread the word!

We have two studios opening in August!
- Both are 8x6’ studio $450 / month
- One available starting on 8/3 and one on 8/13

Studio Access:
* 24/7 access to your studio and communal workspace

Communal Workspace Access:
* Large communal work tables
* Drafting tables and easels
* Utility sink
* Lounge and kitchenette
* Classroom access when not in use
* Large roll up garage door
* Canvas drop cloths
Creative Opportunities
* Use of the classroom to host workshops
* percentage of proceeds are shared with OAC
* Opportunity to exhibit and sell work during First Friday and other gallery events
* Access to member-only programming and gatherings

Member Benefits:
* Collaborative creative community
* Space to work on projects that need room to spread out

Apply at the link in our bio or DM with questions!

Address

Bend, OR

Website

http://www.theopenartscenter.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Open Arts Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Bend?