The Oregon Coast Council for the Arts encourages community members, including youth and families, to create cardboard likenesses for display at the Newport Visual Arts Center and the Newport Performing Arts Center.
Most people have seen the virtual fan cutouts that have become popular at sporting events and other public venues during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Oregon Coast Council for the Arts (OCCA) is taking the idea one step further, calling on community members to create virtual art-fan cutouts to grace the windows and theater seats at the Newport Visual Arts Center (VAC) and the Newport Performing Arts Center (PAC). Community members, including youth and families, are encouraged to participate by painting, drawing or otherwise designing a self-portrait or a likeness of a well-known figure from the arts and culture community.
OCCA is also working to source larger cardboard sheets and can create cardboard blanks for pick-up at the Newport Visual Arts Center. Participants requiring cardboard, cardboard blanks or additional supplies are encouraged to call 541-265-6569, email twebb@coastarts.org or stop by the VAC (777 NW Beach Dr.) on Wednesdays or Saturdays, noon to 4pm. Finished cutouts can be dropped off at the VAC during the hours listed above as well. There is no charge to participate in the Digital Art-Fan Cutout Project.
The art-fan cutouts will remain on display at the VAC and PAC while the facilities continue to operate under reduced public hours due to COVID-19 social-distancing policies. Cutouts are being accepted and placed on an ongoing basis.
“The Virtual Art-Fan Cutout Project will be a fun way for artists, community members and families to show their support for the arts, and to engage in a safe, distance-based art project, says OCCA VAC Director Tom Webb. “Participants will also be creating temporary pieces of public art. We encourage participation by all ages.”
Virtual Art-Fan Cutout Preferred Dimensions:
• 22” wide by 36-40” tall
Additional Guidelines:
1. If possible, source your own sheet of clean, unsoiled cardboard, or call 541-265-6569 or email twebb@coastarts.org to pick up a cardboard blank. Use box weight cardboard not card stock or chipboard. Folds in the cardboard are okay, except for cutouts for PAC theater seats.
2. Shape your blank art-fan cutout. Visit https://www.shindigz.com/products/male-stand-fan-cutout for general cutout shape, or create your own shape (generally following the human torso form).
3. Paint, draw, collage or otherwise design your art-fan cutout. You could also create your original artwork on paper and gluing to the cardboard cutout. Lean toward brighter colors and outlines. No three-dimensional cutouts or use of toxic materials.
4. Do not include any offense language or imagery, hashtags or websites, political statements or advertisements. General statements in favor of the arts are welcome. You are free to include your name on the front of the cutout itself.
5. Write your name, name of work, phone number and email on the back of your cardboard cutout.
6. Deliver your finished cutout to the Newport Visual Arts Center (777 NW Beach Dr.) on Wednesdays or Saturdays, noon to 4pm.
Art-fan cutout creators will retain ownership of their works. OCCA retains authority to curate the placement and number of art-fan cutouts displayed. Participants agree to allow their work to be on public display.
The Oregon Coast Council for the Arts adheres to all health and safety protocol provided by the Governor’s Office as well as the City of Newport. All visitors to the VAC are required to wear proper masks and have their temperature taken prior to entry.
The Oregon Coast Council for the Arts manages the Newport Visual Arts Center and the Newport Performing Arts Center, and serves as the regional arts council for Oregon’s seven coastal counties.
Featured art-fan cutout: “Millie,” by Helen Nighthawk