JOSEPH, OREGON

Background and Impacts

Joseph, a town of approximately 1,200 residents, is located at the southern end of the Wallowa Valley in extreme northeast Oregon. Joseph sits at 4,200', ringed by the 9,000 foot Wallowa Mountains with six-mile long Wallowa Lake to the south. The lake was carved by glacial moraines, and the moraines are the defining geographic feature of the community. Wallowa County is further isolated by Hell's Canyon to the east and the Grande Ronde Gorge.

Like many small Northwest towns, the County's original industries were timber and agriculture, but the Wallowas have always brought tourists to this pristine and isolated region. The four lumber mills, however, are now closed, and jobs in forest products here declined by more than 50% between 1992 and 1995. Local full-time jobs with the forest service declined by one-third during the same period. The largest employer in the County is government, including employees of the three school districts. However, out-migration has led to declining enrollment. It is not uncommon for new businesses in Joseph to open each summer and close in the fall, with retail space sitting empty during the long mountain winter.

In the early 1980s, a bronze sculptor from Joseph inspired a local businessman to start a bronze art casting foundry in Joseph, and the town now boasts three foundries and a range of art related businesses and artist residents. A number of art events add to the art/tourism economy.

Still, per capita income is well below both state and national averages, unemployment in 1998 was at 14.6% (statewide average 5.8%), and the economic picture is not expected to change radically in the near future.

Growth and tourism are the foundational issues in the County and Joseph. Candidates in the current City Council race in Joseph list annexation of a proposed gated community, the changing identity of Joseph, lack of adequate services and growth and tourism as their primary concerns.

Key Learnings

• The public process was very meaningful at the start of this project. The team had difficulty sustaining the public participation as the project moved from brainstorming to project selection.
  
  
• Shared leadership was important to the eventual success of the project.
  
  
• When conflict and change are affecting a community, people are more stressed. This made it harder to find time and energy to participate in a project with long-term instead of crisis/immediate benefit.
  
  
• Leadership of a collaborative project must focus on the continual communication of information to all involved. Without that communication, the core project team runs the risk of disengaging with the project as it unfolds (everyone is very busy and can lose track of commitments and details in the flurry).

  "When it is warm, I go to the tree down towards the river, beside the garden. Two walnut trees are there. The tree that I go to is to the right of the one nearest to the sheds. When I sit in that tree, I don't do anything really except listen to the river running by. It sounds like boulders rolling off of a mountain...."

  from "Walnut Tree," by Billie Guthrie

• There are enormous benefits when youth implement an identity project: The youth are given a venue for expressing change and identity; the community has an opportunity to hear youth voices speak about something they comprehend; the project volunteers and leaders can focus on both the community benefits and the benefits to individual youth as outcomes.

Purpose

Involve youth and display their perspectives to stimulate community discussion and consideration of changing identity of Joseph.

Project

High school art students documented their community and their place in the community with photography and writing, displayed their reflections to the community at large and invited community comment.

Project Outputs

• Joseph School district, Fishtrap and NE Oregon Economic Development District provided inkind services and administration.
  
  
• Local photographer partnered with high school art teacher to help student learn about photography.
  
  
• Safeway of Enterprise donated disposable cameras.
  
  
• A gallery of student photography and writing about community identity was installed at The WildFlour Bakery.
  
  
• A web site, constructed by a local webmaster who volunteered to work with the students on design and installation of a website featuring their community identity reflections.

  "There is a lot of white snow like the feathers of the swan. The smell is like a campfire mixed with trees. You hear the snow crunching under your board. Then silence that feels like an eternity. The snow, the trees, all the people become a blur. That's when you grab the edge of the board. You let go, the sound starts again...you get more aware of the trees, snow and people. You start to hear the crunching of the snow again, reclaim your balance and continue on to the next jump and hope you stay in that dreamy feeling forever."

  "Fergi Ski Area," by Mike Lynn

• A written shared journal, open to all community members, was designed to stimulate community discussion.
  
  
• Art curriculum was implemented that included:
• creative writing
• self-searching identity ­ self expression
• life in the community (how the environment affects us)
• changes in the environment
• photography
• photo collage, design work
• reflection upon project completion

  ".....There are many lakes up in that country, where hungry bears hang around trying to grab a snack or a meal for their cubs. This is my secret place were I hunt, camp, and just go for long walks. This is a place where the animals and I can look at each other and not be afraid."

  from "Wildlife," by Dustin Gibbs

Process

• Planning session convened by Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce
  
  
• Flying M Ranch meeting: four member team attended
  
  
• Planning session to outline public process, meetings and delegation of duties
  
  
• First public meeting: heart/soul mapping
  
  
• Planning
  
  
• Second public meeting
  
  
• Planning
  
  
• Third public meeting
  
  
• Project envisioned as whole-community documentation of current identity (use of disposable cameras)
  
  
• Inkind donations sought
  
  
• Project coordinator changes jobs, project on hold
  
  
• New project team (including 3 of 4 original members, plus 4 new members) begins planning
  
  
• Project focused on high school students' implementation

"My whole past is wrapped around him
and so many memories found within him

Smiles are common in his presence
and his laughter holds our family together,

I feel at peace and comforted when held by strong gentle arms,
Although long past his prime
his joyful attitude and gift to always make me smile
is something that will never fade or get old

He is my steadfast
a presence in my life no one could ever replace

Finding my heart
always at the right time to cuddle
then lightly tease to bring back life in me.

Protective of who I am
he creates a circle around me of warmth, love, and care.

He has taught me my values and morals
and as I catch myself sliding into his shadow
I am glad."

"Dad," by Hope Royes

< Previous Section | Home | Next Section >

The Spirit of the Northwest is a regional partnership project of the Idaho Commission on the Arts, the Oregon Arts Commission and the Washington State Arts Commission, funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal Agency. It is made available on the Web as a courtesy by the Community Arts Network. Questions or comments regarding this project can be addressed to Bitsy Bidwell, Community Arts Development Manager, Washington State Arts Commission, P.O. Box 42675, Olympia, WA, 98504-2675, (360) 586-2421 or email bitsyb@arts.wa.gov.