Vision for the Future – Recap of the Creative & Cultural District Visioning Workshop

On Monday, August 11, the Talent Business Alliance hosted a dynamic and inspiring Creative & Cultural District Visioning Workshop at beautiful Naumes Suncrest Winery just outside of Talent. More than 40 community members from Talent and Phoenix—including local artists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders—came together to imagine what an Arts and Culture District could look like for the communities of Talent and Phoenix.

Facilitated by Liora Sponko, Senior Program Manager with the Oregon Arts Commission, the presentation and interactive workshop encouraged participants to come prepared to roll up their sleeves and dream big! Liora guided the group through an interactive session exploring how arts and culture can be leveraged to support and drive local economies, create inclusive spaces, and build community hubs that reflect each town's unique identity and shared assets.

Participants explored questions such as:

• What makes Talent and Phoenix unique?

• How can we ensure that a district would reflect the diversity and richness of our communities?

• What spaces, programs, and experiences should be featured in this district?

The workshop helped lay the groundwork for building a community coalition that will continue this work long after the event.

A heartfelt thank you to Liora Sponko for leading this thoughtful and empowering workshop. Her expertise and deep commitment to community-centered development inspired everyone in the room.

We’re also deeply grateful to our generous venue sponsor, Naumes Suncrest Winery, for providing a welcoming and picturesque space for this important community conversation.

This is just the beginning of an exciting journey toward creating a thriving Creative and Cultural District for Talent and Phoenix. Stay tuned for next steps and opportunities to get involved!

With gratitude,

Talent Business Alliance

In partnership with the Oregon Arts Commission and Liora Sponko

Sponsored by Naumes Suncrest Winery