She also sees the importance of art in their lives for other reasons. Music's great for math. Visual arts are great for depth and dimension. There will be a variety of horticultural events taking place in a dynamic way during the weekend, including the building of a garden between the Craterian and the Rogue Gallery, in a collaborative effort between a group of landscape architects and students from Crater High School. Planter boxes from the festival will become a permanent part of the downtown, when the festival is over.
All participants stress that the festival's effects beyond the weekend itself are key.
In that way, people will create a positive self-fulfilling prophecy by adding their own energy to that vitality. It's no secret that one perception that's had to be overcome is that new crowds coming downtown, whether appearing for outdoor events or to attend Rogue Community College, will somehow harm business there. Although the opposite seems to be true, Mayor Berryman acknowledges the difficulty of change, for many. But merchants are beginning to see the benefits. It's becoming more and more positive.