​​OSTA is led by the Talent Business Alliance (TBA), as part of a broader economic revitalization master plan that also includes a Destination Development Strategy. Starting in 2023, TBA convened a coalition of nonprofits to plan and implement an accessible Interpretive Art Tour that tells Talent’s stories through art, including a design to attract residents and visitors to downtown Talent.

 

This coalition includes Coalición Fortaleza, which advocates for Latine and Indigenous communities through cultural organizing and creative placemaking; the Talent Public Art Committee, which guides public art planning and execution; the Talent Historical Society, which preserves and shares Talent’s history through archives and oral histories; and Talent Maker City, working to build a more connected, prosperous, and resilient community through hands-on creativity and innovative STEAM-based learning.

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The OSTA team has been advancing three major art projects with grant funding support from the Oregon Community Foundation, Ford Family Foundation, Oregon State University Recreation Recovery Grant, and the Roundhouse Foundation.

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The Talent Strong Community Murals project, managed in partnership with the Talent Business Alliance and implemented by Talent Maker City, is one of the largest OSTA initiatives. Building on a 2021 initiative funded by the Talent Urban Renewal Agency and led by Talent Maker City, the project produced thirty-two murals created by fire survivors and community members after the Almeda Fire. Previously displayed at the Talent Gateway site, the murals are being re-sealed and preserved with support from the City of Talent. Talent Maker City’s Executive Director Allison French, reported that local metal sculpture artist Rick Evans will lead the sculpture’s creation and teach a series of Talent Maker City welding classes for the community. The work is progressing through digitization, prototyping, and material selection, with fabrication scheduled for 2026.

 

Ecological Narratives: Biodiversity and Belonging, is a project that explores the connections between people, wildlife, and the landscapes that shape Talent. Local artist Kyrianna, is producing mural panels to be installed on the exterior of the Talent Historical Museum along Market Street. Kyrianna stated, “My intention with this mural is to honor, educate and inspire.” Contracting and design development are now underway, and the community eagerly anticipates the unveiling this May. 

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OSTA is also collaborating with educator and local leader Brook Colley, to develop a culturally authentic artwork storytelling about life in the Talent area prior to colonization. “We are working with Brook to develop a narrative that will inform the artwork’s design, ensuring that the project respectfully reflects Indigenous histories and experiences,” said Debra Moon of the Talent Historical Society. OSTA hopes to engage a local Native American artist to participate in this project and help bring a culturally authentic vision to life. 

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At its core, OSTA is founded in storytelling. By collecting personal narratives, oral histories, and creative expressions, OSTA ensures that each project reflects the lived experiences of the community. These stories inform public art, murals, performances, and installations, turning individual memories into shared cultural treasures that celebrate Talent’s past, present, and future.​ OSTA is collaborating with both the Talent Historical Society and Erica Ledesma of De La Raíz for story gathering. Erica brings a broad professional background in community storytelling. Her work captures high-quality audio stories from community members, conducting interviews, and editing each story for clarity and narrative flow.

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Through these efforts, OSTA is transforming Talent’s public spaces into a living cultural tapestry, ensuring that recovery becomes an enduring, inclusive renaissance that inspires residents, businesses, and visitors alike.​