Art in the Oaks Hosted by Gregg and Jennifer Payne | Ruch, Oregon | May 17, 2025 | 3–7 p.m.
On a warm May afternoon, the Payne residence in Ruch became a gathering place for community, creativity, and conservation. Art in the Oaks was presented by A Greater Applegate (AGA) with generous support from Cathy Rodgers of RiverCrest Ranch Wines, whose wines were poured throughout the event. Cathy was also on hand to share and sell copies of her book, Trail Mix: Food for the Sole. (Copies of her book are also available at Rebel Heart books in Jacksonville.)
The event wove together local art, music, food, and environmental stewardship. Guests were invited to experience host Gregg Payne’s interactive sound sculptures and teleidoscope — playing music, peering through kaleidoscopic lenses, and discovering his immersive 3D installations firsthand. Payne, whose work is represented by Goldenstein Gallery in Sedona and installed in Tucson, Dallas, Dubai, Savannah, and beyond, brought his signature sense of play through art to the afternoon. Artists and artisans — including Katie Walker of Sticks and Stones Studios, Sweet Colene Art, Diamond, Tongue Drum, and S.O. Bees — displayed their work alongside neighbors and community members. Katie Walker’s presence was especially meaningful to local families: through grant-funded programming, Sticks and Stones Studios provides free, high-quality art education to students at Ruch Outdoor Community School, ensuring that rural kids have access to the transformative power of the arts. Musician Conrad Rogmans provided well-loved live music, and Kristen of Jefferson Farm Kitchen catered a beautiful and delicious spread.
A highlight of the afternoon was outreach led by Rooted in Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to arts-based environmental and community initiatives in the Applegate Valley. Residents learned how to grow white oaks from seed and why restoring this beloved native tree matters. This restoration work is funded by Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District; the Applegate Partnership & Watershed Council is the education partner, and will work with Ruch Outdoor Community School 4th and 5th graders to grow and plant white oak seedlings across the valley.
The event was multigenerational — with hands-on activities for kids and an open-mic closing out the evening. Art in the Oaks embodied what AGA does best: supporting local businesses and nonprofits, strengthening community culture, and bringing Applegate Valley neighbors together around shared values.
