The Dalles Art Center is excited to announce the inaugural Radiance Block Party featuring a Fire Pit Contest and Fundraiser for TDAC and the Columbia Gorge Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing and Fabrication program. This is an opportunity for arts, crafts people and metal fabricators to showcase their skills and creativity as well as compete with other talented people working with metal. Three jurors will select the Best Professional and Best Student fire pit with cash prizes of $250 for each winner. 

Fire pits can be of any size but must self contain wood fires, be a unique design and be fabricated with metal. Mass produced fire pits are not eligible for the competition unless the design is a prototype. 

Benefits for participants: 

2 Drink tickets 

Recognition for participation on TDAC website. 

Exposure creative and professional opportunities within the Gorge Community

33% Commission of the Sale: (TDAC 34%, CGCC 33%, Artist 33%)

About the Organizations:

Columbia Gorge Community College students in the Advanced Manufacturing Technology program learn a broad range of skills, including the operation of welders and welding common joints, practical fabrication of products, and quality control in the production of items. Within the lab, tools, and resources, students use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to create more efficient manufacturing systems. Advanced Manufacturing/Fabricator jobs require students to use various tools and machines of varying complexity. At CGCC, we prepare students to join the workforce and be their best. 

The Dalles Art Center is a connecting hub to inspire and engage with art. We serve the communities of The Dalles, Wasco County and The Columbia Gorge with opportunities for artists to develop their practice and display their work. Through public art, art classes for adults and students and performance we connect people to creativity and the positive outcomes for personal growth and connection provided through creative expression. 

Jurors: 

Archer Mayo is a longtime Columbia gorge, resident and business owner. Earning an MFA in industrial Design  from the Savannah College of Art and design he has designed numerous buildings, products, created and performed fundraising events for 501c3 organizations as auctioneer.  He has maintained sculpture practice for more than 20 years. As a community organizer,  Archer had founded and led, and served on the boards several arts and educational organizations in the region. 

Jon Keyser is the owner of The Dalles Ironworks. After graduating from Mt Hood Community College’s manufacturing tech school, Jon returned to The Dalles to work at the Ironworks for 36 years before purchasing the company seven years ago. He is dedicated to education through teaching welding at the Columbia Gorge for six years and judging the Mid-Columbia Arc Welding Competition in Dufur, Oregon.

Sandra Sanchez grew up in Santiago, Chile. She found art at an early age; first in books, then in writing and later in her grandfather’s wood shop in southern Chile. Art felt like a refuge from the political turmoil happening all around her in the 70s.  After moving to Seattle in her mid-twenties, she rediscovered woodworking and design. This led to developing her own workshop on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Sandra has taught woodworking and design at The Barn on Bainbridge Island. Collaboration with other makers is one of her passions, especially metal and glass artists. Following her move to the Gorge in 2019, she has dedicated herself to working at the Gorge Rebuild-it Center, to help foster the use of recycled materials– a personal commitment since her adolescence in Chile.

Application Requirements

Fire pits can be of any size but must self contain wood fires, be a unique design and be fabricated with metal. Mass produced fire pits are not eligible for the competition unless the design is a prototype. Submissions can be on Cafe or in person February 15 - 18, 2023 from 11am - 5pm (before 2pm on the February 18th) at The Dalles Art Center, 220 E. 4th Street, The Dalles, Oregon. $20 fee. High School and College student fees will be waived. 

Eligibility Criteria

Any artists, crafts people or trades people from high school, college or the professional field are welcome to participate.