Staying on Track This Spring
Eugene Bookstores
Murals 11
12 Is Eugene the Next Hollywood?
Letter from the Editor
Spring is finally upon us! Time to soak up the sun and bask in the joys of a Eugene spring! In this issue, we have a variety of activities for you to check out. Feeling crafty? Use our guide and grab some friends and old t-shirts to make your own tie-dye creations. Experience some of Eugene’s local art scene with a mural tour around town. Finally, take a peek behind the scenes with some of Eugene’s student filmmakers. Summer is right around the corner and I hope your spring is filled with excitement and sun!
Bailey Meyers
Special Sections Editor
Publisher & President
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Special Sections Editor
Bailey Meyers
Cover Photo
Alyssa Garcia
Special Sections Writers
Annie Bostwick
Autumn Straus
Ellie Johnson
Georgia Tucker
Sylvia Davidow
Will Decker
Special Sections Photographers
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Alyssa Garcia
Arianna Rinaldi
Rachel Kesich
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Eva Andrews
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Ava Klooser
Dew Mirihana
Rennick Coates
Ryan Ehrhart
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PAWS IN THE PARK Dog-friendly Parks In Eugene
Written by Sylvia Davidow
Designed by Ryan Ehrhart • Photos by Rachel Kesich
Spring time is when everyone emerges from their houses to greet the great outdoors. The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming and suddenly every walk is accompanied by sights of dog owners walking their beloved pets who make perfect explore companions, whether walking from campus to Autzen stadium or hiking the many trails around town. But as dogs provide for their owners, their owners should provide for them as well. With that in mind, here are a variety of dog parks where furry companions and their owners can take the load off while enjoying the scenic outdoors of Eugene.
ALTON BAKER PARK
Located right next to Autzen Stadium, this park is the perfect treat after committing to the famous “Walk to Autzen.” There is plenty of space for dogs to be literally unleashed in the comfort of a wide open yet fenced-in area of park grounds. Owners can sit and watch their pets run free by the shade of the trees or picnic benches. Bonus, when pets are done with their time at the park, owners can feel the Duck spirit by taking a picture of their companions with Autzen stadium in the background. Send it to the University of Oregon Instagram and your dog might even get featured using #UODogs.
CANDLELIGHT PARK
This friendly neighborhood park is the closest anyone can feel to being a local of Eugene. With everything from 12 acres
of play area including a bridge and pond, to separate sections for big and small dogs, this park caters to everyone’s needs. Walk through the local Bethel community neighborhoods, observe the quiet suburban life, or give your creature the chance to explore the outdoors with other dogs around its size.
WASHINGTON
JEFFERSON PARK
Adjacent to Skinner’s Butte is Eugene’s newest dog park located between West 5th and 6th Avenue. Before or after a hike up one of the city’s most iconic trails, treat your explore companion to this 1.3 acre park accompanied with dog bag dispensers, benches and garbage service. It’s a win-win experience for both owners and their pets – dogs get the opportunity to run free and humans can enjoy the fresh feeling of a park the town was highly eager to install back in 2024.
So whether you are looking for a university central sit down, suburban oasis, or post hike cooldown, Eugene has the perfect place for dogs of any size and any energy level. When the weather warms up, everyone has the chance to get active by walking through the scenic greenery or running freely through an open-leash park. So take advantage of the community around you and bring your furry friend too! A happy dog equals a happy explore companion.
Written by Annie Bostwick • Designed by Abigail Raike
Spring term is upon us. The skies are turning from murky gray to a near cloudless blue, and barren trees are filled with color. Eugene is alive and buzzing with activity once again, with students flocking to the Saturday Market, Dexter Reservoir and the banks of the Willamette River.
As social activities pick up, school can fall on the back burner for students. Fighting the final semester burnout can prove to be a difficult battle, so the question remains: how do students stay motivated during spring term?
It’s important to be able to recognize your priorities. That does not mean completely ignoring your social life to strictly prioritize school or work, but you have to tend to the latter two to be able to enjoy the more exciting activities that take place when nice weather rolls around again.
Burnout is a type of exhaustion that can happen when people feel overwhelmed by social, physical or emotional responsibilities. As school or work slowly becomes replaced by our social lives in the spring, it can feel like both are demanding too much of our time.
A part of combating burnout is taking breaks from those nonnegotiable tasks in our lives. Practicing time management can play a huge role in enjoying life while not sacrificing one’s success. Study techniques, such as the Pomodoro method — studying in 25-minute intervals — are recommended to help study without distractions.
Fighting burnout is not just about finding a balance between school, work and social life. Taking care of yourself is a significant aspect of maintaining a balance in life. Thus, keeping a consistent sleep schedule, eating well and taking time for yourself can help in those moments when you fail to feel motivated.
Studies have shown that school attendance rates for all ages tend to drop in the weeks following spring break. Keeping up with everything that spring term brings can seem overwhelming, but creating a good routine early in the semester can make it easier to enjoy the change in seasons. keep a consistent sleep schedule
take time for yourself eat well
E
A Guide to Eugene's Murals
Written by Ellie Johnson • Designed by Ava Klooster • Photographed by Alyssa Garcia
ugene is a city bursting at the seams with art. Walk down any street, and you’ll find vibrant murals on buildings, turning plain walls into works of art. These murals reflect the creativity that flows through the town. With the weather warming up, it’s the perfect time to view some of Eugene’s most astonishing murals. In just five blocks, you can see some of the city’s best public art. The information in this guide was gathered from the City of Eugene website and its interactive mural map, which highlight the incredible range and background of Eugene’s public artworks.
Sidewalk Games By Acidum Project
62 W Broadway
Located in the alley by Cowfish, this vibrant mural by Brazilian art duo Acidum Project features two figures intertwined with psychedelic patterns and brilliant hues, inviting viewers into a dreamlike world. Acidum Project, founded by Robézio Marqs and Tereza Dequinta, specializes in turning sterile urban spaces into immersive works of art.
Untitled By Rachel Wolfe-Goldsmith
101 W 10th Ave.
This piece is located on the south side of the Mary Spilde Downtown Center. The work, by Rachel Wolfe-Goldsmith, is a vibrant mural in downtown Eugene, Oregon, celebrating resilience, unity and community empowerment. Featuring bold colors and dynamic imagery, the artwork depicts diverse figures intertwined with elements of nature, symbolizing growth and collective strength. The mural was created in the City of Eugene Cultural Services’ We Rise project and serves as an uplifting reminder of solidarity and progress.
Untitled By Beau Stanton 1010 Willamette St.
Towering over the LTD Bus Station on the west wall of the historic McDonald Theatre, this untitled mural by Brooklynbased artist Beau Stanton is impossible to miss. Spanning 161 feet, the piece reflects Stanton’s signature style, blending historic ornamentation, religious iconography and classical painting techniques. His style is characterized by intricate patterns and stained-glass-like compositions. His murals often include architectural motifs that evoke a sense of timelessness and visual storytelling.
Untitled By Lost Luck Co.
99 W Broadway
This mural by Lost Luck Co. captures the ever-present outdoor scene in Eugene. Located on the west wall of Books with Pictures, the mural reflects the shop’s community-driven spirit by blending elements of local culture with a colorful aesthetic. Created as part of Eugene’s Urban Canvas program, the mural highlights artist Alayna Sibille’s distinct style, which fuses digital and hand-drawn techniques.
Untitled By SIT
856
Willamette St.
Beginning on Willamette St., there is a striking mural by Dutch artist SIT. This mural was painted in just one day and depicts an eagle emerging from bold, thick white lines, painted with a roller brush. The stark, dramatic form of the eagle creates a piece that is visually captivating.
Discussion About the Red
By Franco Fasoli “JAZ”
1010 Willamette St.
Located on the south wall of the McDonald Theatre, "Discussion about the Red" by Argentine artist Franco Fasoli, also known as JAZ, features two figures with bird heads and was inspired by his experience with the art scene in Spain. JAZ is known for his large-scale murals that often explore the social and cultural fabric of Latin America.
Secuencia Inversa de un Acto de Destrucción
By Hyuro
125 W 11th Ave.
Stretching across the north wall of Kiva Grocery, this mural brings a quiet yet powerful presence to Eugene’s streetscape. This 140-foot-long mural was painted as part of the 20x21EUG Mural Project– a city-led initiative that aimed to bring 20 renowned muralists to Eugene. This mural features four panels depicting a woman’s hands carefully nurturing a plant back to health. Known for her surreal, faceless figures, Hyuro’s work often depicts themes of femininity, politics and nature.
Dog Daze of Summer
By Telmo Miel
198 W Broadway
This mural can be found on the west wall of the Shaw-Med Inc./Oregon Contemporary Theatre building in Eugene. At first glance, the mural may seem unfinished, but upon closer inspection, the details reveal subtle nods to iconic cartoon characters like Walt Disney's Pluto. Telmo Pieper and Miel Krutzmann, who formed Telmo Miel in 2012, are known for their surreal yet detailed murals that blend vibrant color with realistic rendering.
Eugene’s mural scene is constantly growing, with new pieces popping up all the time. This short walking tour is just a glimpse into the city’s rich visual culture. next time you’re out and about, take a detour, look up, and let the walls of Eugene tell their stories.
Eugene Bookstores
Written by Autumn Straus • Illustrated by Sophia Greene • Designed by Eva Andrews
Warmer weather is on its way. To me, this means sitting in the sun with your favorite book, in a park, by a body of water or inside until Oregon’s famous April showers end. Either way, the weather gives the perfect excuse to make a trip to a bookstore and Eugene has plenty of great choices. Here are a few of my favorites.
J Michaels Books, off the corner of Broadway and Pearl, has an amazing collection, especially for classics and non-fiction lovers. Every time I’ve gone in, the owner, Jeremy Nissel, has been friendly, easy to talk to and ready to help. On occasion, they hold book readings there. Usually, local authors will come in to share excerpts from their work as the store fills up with eager listeners from the community.
Daffodil Books is near the train station on the corner of Willamette and 5th. Its cozy interior feels like you’re walking into a storybook. It’s a cafe and a bookstore that provides the perfect place to sit, read and browse. This is one of my favorite parts because it always takes me a while to figure out what book I want to buy. Their collection specializes in romance, and the dreamy setting and decor make that obvious.
Tsunami Books is on Willamette and 26th. This store provides a wide selection of books, both new and used. They also sell art from local artists and a selection of records. The staff have never failed in being helpful and kind when I’ve asked questions. One of my favorite parts is that the music selection in the store always makes for a more enjoyable browsing experience. Tsunami Books also hosts authors for readings, most commonly poetry readings.
All three of these stores provide great places to get involved in the community by appreciating local stories. They also allow you to talk to other book lovers and find something to read under a tree at your favorite park. If you had a hectic winter, all the more reason to pick up a book and spend a few peaceful spring afternoons reading.
Is Eugene the Next Hollywood? A Look at Student Filmmaking at UO
Written By Will Decker
Designed By Rennick Coates
Photography By Arianna Rinaldi
Firstly, to answer the title: no. The next Hollywood is probably still in California. Even so, Eugene does have a vibrant local film scene, thanks, in part, to UO’s Cinema Studies program and the efforts of UFO (University Film Organization). UFO gives student filmmakers the opportunity to make films with the equipment and structure one might find in a (semi) professional setting.
Each term, two films are selected by the UFO board from a pool of pitches submitted by writer-directors. Last term was Charlee Hines with their film JamieE, and Max Miller with his film, Liquid. JamieE is a split personality drama centering around Angie, who leans on their passive replacement, Jamie, to avoid any questions from their friends and roommates about a particularly traumatic night. Liquid is the beginnings of a crime-drama
thriller centered around questions of morality, where Ella, a graduate in criminal justice, is assigned to investigate Detective Leon for misuse of power. For both directors, the films they made last term are their directorial debuts with UFO, and as with any new experience, this had its ups and downs for them.
Both films started out with smooth beginnings during pre-production. This was when they picked out their cast and crew, a task Max found he had a particular talent in; they found their locations and props, something Charlee was grateful to have UFO’s help with; and they planned out their films, making shot lists, look books, and call sheets. Problems in Max’s production started brewing here, with communication issues all around, but for Charlee, it was easy-going right into the production stage.
“My favorite part of production is saying action,” Charlee said. “After that, the scene just happens.”
The production stage is where the magic happens in a film, and it is also where things can go horribly wrong. Both films were on a tight schedule, and there was a lot to do, but things started off okay for the two of them, at least with the first shoots. Charlee was impressed with what their cast and crew could do, especially their director and assistant director of photography (DOP and ADOP), who they said “made” their film. “I think a huge thing [about directing] is just being yourself on set,” Charlee said. “It created a feeling of welcome for my cast and crew.”
This ease would not last long for Max, however; his problems started
mounting during his second shoot day. “We had already filmed half a scene outside,” he said, “and it started raining sideways toward the camera.” They had to move this scene inside and make up the difference with reshoots. Having a day go to waste like this was a hard pill to swallow for Max, and it fatigued him almost immediately.
This was then compounded by another problem. One of the essential production personnel had to leave before production was finished. This was fine, and Max was able to work around it, but when this impending date was moved up on short notice, it caused yet another headache for the production.
The production was going poorly, and this was wearing on Max. There were some unaired grievances on set, and communication issues and delays throughout the crew persisted into post production. All these problems set a bad tone for the project, Max
said, and it led to a general feeling of dispassion in the production, which made it harder and harder to go on.
Both directors said that one of the biggest things they learned from this experience was the importance of communication, especially in a setting as team-oriented as filmmaking.
“I think [college] is the time in most people's lives that they learn how to be good communicators,” Max said.
Charlee expressed the importance of openness to new ideas and perspectives as a director, saying that communication, openness, self advocacy and being able to put in effort in a “genuine way”; to show passion, are qualities that make a good director and filmmaker.
Max learned the age-old lesson that failure is the greatest teacher. “Your first film is not gonna go well. Your first good film will be your fifth one. Every challenge that every film faces
is unique, and filmmaking comes with a lot of lessons you have to learn the hard way.”
Hopefully, if you try to make a film, it will go like Charlee’s production, but don’t be discouraged if it goes more like Max’s. Filmmaking is hard, but it can also be incredibly fun and rewarding; you never know what will happen unless you try.
Please watch Charlee’s film JamieE on Youtube, and look out for the premiere of Liquid, coming soon. You can find both films on Instagram @jamie.efilm and @liquid.shortfilm.
Written by Georgia Tucker
• Designed and Illustrated by
Dew Mirihana
As we dive into the beginning of spring term, it’s time to trade your winter wardrobe for something a little lighter. There is nothing that screams Eugene like a tie-dye t-shirt. This is a great way to upcycle clothes you already have and spice up your wardrobe a bit.
Before gathering your materials, take time to look in your closet and see if there are any clothes that you haven’t worn in a while. This gives you the opportunity to save a little money while also creating something new. If you don’t have any clothing that you want to experiment with, you can always pick something up from your local thrift store.
MATERIALS
• Rubber gloves (optional, but makes things easier)
• Rubber bands
• Garbage bag or plastic tablecloth
• Kitchen sink or bathtub for rinsing
• Fabric Dye (I recommend Rit Dye)
• T-shirt, Sweatshirt, Socks, etc. (cotton, linen or silk works best)
• Squeeze bottles (In the past, I’ve used empty plastic ketchup and mustard bottles from Dollar Tree)
Start by washing your article of clothing, leaving it damp before you begin the tie-dye process. This will give you a clean canvas to work with. Next, find a flat surface to lay your clothing on. This is when we start folding and crumpling the fabric into a ball. In order to make the spiral design, pinch the center of your fabric, twisting it tightly. This will create the famous tie-dye spiral.
As soon as your fabric is twisted into a ball, secure it with a few rubber bands.
Moving on to making your dye mixture, start by boiling 2 cups of water. Once your water is hot, pour it into a squeeze bottle. Add in two tablespoons of Rit dye to the water. Cover the end of the squeeze bottle with your finger and give it a good shake. Repeat these steps for as many colors as you want, I recommend up to three colors.
After you have your dye ready, cover your flat surface with either a plastic tablecloth or a trash bag. This will help keep your area clean. Place your rolled-up fabric on top of the covered surface.
When it comes to adding the dye, I like to randomly pour it on different sections of the clothing. Starting on one side and then flipping it over so I can add on the other side. Leave a few patches without color so you can see the design. Once you have added all your dye, let the fabric sit for 30 to 40 minutes until dry.
Once it is dry, rinse your fabric under cold water until the water is clear. This will help the colors set and not bleed into each other during the wash. After you are done, remove the rubber bands and throw it in the wash. Make sure you wash it on cold with an old towel, this will help absorb any of the unwanted dye. Once it has been through the wash, let it air dry.
Boom! Now you have a brand new piece of clothing for your spring wardrobe.
