With over 300 events posted from Condon to Charleston, Oregon Days of Culture 2012 successfully ushered in the 10th anniversary of the Cultural Trust. 

Days of Culture wrapped up  October 8 in Sisters, with a groundbreaking event in  the celebration’s  five year history, the presentation of the first Ben Westlund Memorial Award.   

Conceived of  the Deschutes County Cultural Coalition, the award honors the late senator and state treasurer Ben Westlund,  a champion for culture in Oregon and a sponsor of the legislation that created  the Cultural Trust. 

The inaugural award was presented to Brad Tisdel, Executive Director of the Sisters Folk Festival and founder of the Americana Project, a program that teaches Sisters students about American music and folk traditions and which has been funded  by the Deschutes County Cultural Coalition. Two high school students – gave moving vocal and guitar performances during the award ceremony. 

The ceremony, capping the weeklong Oregon Days of Culture, took place at Sisters ArtWorks and was attended by 75 people, including  Westlund’s widow, Libby Westlund, and Michael Selvaggio, a former Westlund aide, now the Policy Director in State Treasurer Ted Wheeler’s Office.  

Thank you to everyone who posted and attended Days of Culture events, for highlighting culture in Oregon and making this a truly happy 10th birthday for the Trust!

Photo: Brad Tisdel and Libby Westlund by Jay Mather