February 14 is a special day in Oregon: the state¹s birthday falls on Valentines Day. This year, to mark the occasion, Orlo, an environmental arts nonprofit, will host An Oregon Valentine. The event will celebrate Oregon¹s 152nd birthday and the release of The Bear Deluxe Magazine #33. Author Brian Doyle (Mink River, OSU Press, 2010) will be featured along with other Oregon writers and artists.

Attendees will have the opportunity to create personal valentines on behalf of their home state or perform a 152-word reading before a love-struck crowd of open-mic enthusiasts. Food and beverage will highlight Portland¹s Ninkasi Brewing and other Oregon-inspired treats. Admission is free and proceedings will take place at The Mouth studio in the Zoomtopia Building, Orlo¹s headquarters at 810 SE Belmont.

Freshly printed copies of The Bear Deluxe #33 will be on hand at An Oregon Valentine. The special “identity” issue includes independent writing, interviews and visual art looking at the intersection of personal and cultural awareness with place-based issues. Copies will be distributed free of charge before heading out for distribution around Portland, Oregon, the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The magazine¹s special issue has been possible in part by a project grant from the Regional Arts & Culture Council.

Brian Doyle is the author of twelve books, including Grace Notes, Bin Laden’s Bald Spot & Other Stories, Thirsty for the Joy: Australian and American Voices, and Epiphanies and Elegies. He edits Portland Magazine at the University of Portland. Doyle’s essays have appeared in The Atlantic Monthly, Harper’s, Orion, The American Scholar, and in newspapers and magazines around the world.

The Bear Deluxe Magazine is published by Orlo, a nonprofit organization using the creative arts to explore environmental themes. The Bear Deluxe has been recognized by the Oregon Cultural Trust  (Orlo received a Cultural Development grant recepient in 2008 and 2009), Oregon Arts Commission, Literary Arts, the Regional Arts & Culture Council, Print magazine, Outside, Orion and Utne Reader for editorial and design excellence.

DETAILS
An Oregon Valentine
February 14, 2012

Zoomtopia and The Mouth studio 810 SE Belmont, Portland FREE
6-7 pm: reception, Valentine Card making
7-8:15: scheduled author readings
8:15: Birthday cake reception
8:30-9:15: open mic valentines (1520-word limit)
9:15-9:30: reception, Valentine Prizes