OAC Special Events
See our calendar below for regular programming
We’re excited to announce our inaugural OAC Music Series starting this October!
Experience intimate live performances, artist stories, and live Q&A in a listening-room setting inside the Rachel Binah Gallery. See shows individually or come to all six!
View our 2026–2027 Lineup below!
We’re honored to be partnering with Día de Muertos Bend for this year’s big celebration!
Join Central Oregon for Día de Muertos—a celebration of remembrance, ancestry, culture, and connection through art, music, food & community.
Friday, November 6 | 3:30–9 PM
999 NE 2nd St. Bend, Oregon
Free to attend | All ages welcome!
Join us for the screening of Sketch and Release, a touring multimedia poetry and storytelling film created by multidisciplinary artist Jason McNeal Graham (MOsley WOtta).
Sketch and Release centers the voices and experiences of Black creatives living and working in rural Oregon.
Friday, November 20th | 6-8 PM
999 NE 2nd St. Bend, Oregon
Free to attend | All ages welcome!
Classes, Events & Workshops
Please register for all classes beforehand.
Note that first-time registrants are asked a few personal questions to help with our offerings in a one-time questionnaire. Returning registrants with an existing Sawyer account do not have to answer additional questions during registration. Thank you!
4th Wednesdays: Poetry Feedback
4th Wednesdays: Poetry Feedback | Share your work and receive thoughtful, supportive critique in community at The Open Arts Center
Free Open Art Night for Adults
On Tuesdays, join us for Open Art Night from 6pm-9pm. Bring your art supplies and make art with creative community.
Songwriters In-The-Round
Join three of Central Oregon's celebrated songwriters for an evening of community and song. Beth, Alicia, and Megan are teaming to share original writing, stories, harmonies, and to support the Open Arts Center.
The Craft of Writing | 3rd Wednesday of the month
The Craft of Writing: January 21
Points of View | Learn the differences between 1st, 2nd, 3rd deep, 3rd close, 3rd omniscient points of view in community at The Open Arts Center!
Every 3rd Wednesday of the month Meghan Robins Teeter will offer a Craft of Writing workshop. No experience necessary.
Free - No RSVP needed
Free Open Art Night for Adults
On Tuesdays, join us for Open Art Night from 6pm-9pm. Bring your art supplies and make art with creative community.
Caldera High School Art Show at The OAC!
Come celebrate teen artists from Caldera High School and enjoy light refreshments, genersouly provided by SELCO Credit Union.
Teen Open Mic Night
Teen Open Mic at The OAC!
Thursday, January 15th | 5pm-7pm
Performers must register in advance through the Library: https://dpl.libnet.info/event/15023914
Audience Members (all ages welcome) do not need to register.
Calling all Central Oregon teens! We are thrilled to be partnering with the Deschutes Public Library to host monthly Teen Open Mic Nights every 3rd Thursday at the OAC. Share your music, poetry, comedy, dance, or any other stage-worthy talent in a welcoming, supportive space. Come perform or cheer on your fellow teen artists!
2nd Wednesday Poetry Night
2nd Wednesdays: Generative Poetry | Write, explore, and spark new ideas.
Free Open Art Night for Adults
On Tuesdays, join us for Open Art Night from 6pm-9pm. Bring your art supplies and make art with creative community.
Seeds of Intention: Solstice Garland Workshop
Celebrate the winter solstice with floral play! Create wall-hangings, set intentions, and plant seeds for growth. All materials included.
Come See Me In The Good Light Film Screening and Discusstion
Come See Me In The Good Light: a touching, poetic exploration of life, love, and grief. Stay for a reflective community chat afterwards.
Writing Wednesdays
Writing Wednesdays at OAC!
Starting this month, join us every Wednesday night from 7pm-8:30pm at The Open Arts Center for a free evening of writing, connection, and creativity.
1st & 3rd Wednesdays: Poetry
2nd & 4th Wednesdays: Prose
5th Wednesdays: Open Mic Night!
Each week alternates between generative workshops (time to write, share, and spark new ideas) and feedback sessions (a supportive space to exchange thoughtful responses). Open to adults 18+, all levels welcome.
Bring your notebook, your voice, and your curiosity. Let’s write together!
Open Art Tuesdays
Open Art Tuesdays at The Open Arts Center
COME AND JOIN US!
Ages 18+| FREE
Every Tuesday night, join us for Open Art Night from 6pm-9pm. Bring your art supplies and make art with your new creative community!
No registration required - just show up with an open mind and willingness to create and connect.
Spooky Carnival!
The Open Arts Center & Board House Society Present: Spooky Carnival!
Step inside the new Open Arts Center for a pre-opening Spooky Carnival! Skate, circus, music & magic—Oct 25, 1–5PM, all ages!
The Open Arts Center invites you to be part of something magical. Before our doors officially open to the public, we’re welcoming the community into our brand-new home with a one-of-a-kind Spooky Carnival, hosted in collaboration with Board House Society.
This is more than just an event—it’s your chance to be among the first to experience our new arts center and help us celebrate the creativity that will live here for years to come.
Board House Open Skate, Mini Comps & Costume Skate | Lava City Cirque Aerial silks & circus magic | High Desert Fire Artists Fire spinning | Live music by Teen band Hella Shy + DJs & dancing | Costume-making, crafts & face painting Carnival games, photo booth & scary stories | Tarot readings
Popcorn, cotton candy, tamales and street corn will be available to purchase with carnival tickets available at the door: $20 for 10 tickets
🎟 Suggested donation to RSVP - This is a fundraiser for The Open Arts Center!
All ages welcome • Family friendly • Costumes encouraged!
Dias De Los Muertos Art and Craft Nights
Come help us prepare for Bend’s big Dias De Los Muertos downtown celebration on November 7th!
Dia De Los Muertos Art & Craft Nights at The Open Arts Center
We’re excited to partner with the Bend Latino community to help bring their beautiful Día De Los Muertos celebration to life on November 7th!
Join us for free, family-friendly craft nights every Thursday in October — come create art, connect, and celebrate together!
Dates: Oct. 9, 16, 23 & 30
Time: 4–7 PM
Location: 999 NE 2nd St., Bend, OR
Soup provided!
Come help make decorations and crafts for the community altar and celebration.
Please RSVP so we know how much soup to make:
maija@theopenartscenter.org
Let’s create, share, and honor together.
OAC Donation Drive
OAC Art Supplies & Furniture Donation Drive | Help Us Furnish Our New Creative Home
Join hands with us to fill our community center with inspiration. We’re gathering art supplies, furniture, and instruments to furnish our new home in the Bend Central District, so local teens and artists can make, connect, and belong.
Saturday, August 23rd 10am - 2pm
999 NE 2nd St. Bend, Oregon
New or gently used art supplies: sketchpads, paints, brushes, canvases, clay, sewing supplies, beads, collage materials, etc.
Furniture: comfy chairs, tables, shelves, sofas, beanbags
Musical instruments & audio gear: guitars, drums, piano, etc.
Tech & media tools: cameras, video modules, digital tools, recording equipment
Household items: rugs, lamps, stools, and community seating
Gift cards for local thrift, furniture and craft stores are also welcomed
If donating furniture or household items, please email us images before dropping off to make sure it aligns with our vision.
Contact us at claire@theopenartscenter.org
Community Open House
Before we begin our build-out construction, we are opening our doors to share the vision of our new space! This is your chance to connect, collaborate, and help shape what’s to come.
Come explore our vision with interactive room vignettes featuring live painting, dancing, and music. Share your input through feedback stations to help shape the space. During the event, you’ll have the chance to support our fundraiser—sponsor furniture, materials, or even name a room!
Everyone’s welcome—bring a friend and be part of building something special.