Playwright Walk Is in Ashland’s Future
Playwright Walk Is In Ashland’s Future
5/8/24
By David Runkel
Hollywood has the Walk of Fame stars embedded in the sidewalks on Hollywood Boulevard and Iowa City has a Literary Walk of bronze relief panels with words of Iowa writers on downtown streets.
Upcoming next is Ashland’s Playwright Walk.
City Council last night enthusiastically endorsed the idea of installing plaques in city sidewalks recognizing famed playwrights with councilors agreeing they will “highlight the importance of culture to our community.”
It’s the idea of Barry and Kathryn Thalden, who moved to Ashland 14 years ago from Las Vegas where Barry was an architect and Kathryn a Unity minister. He told Council they were in Iowa City a year ago for the graduation of a granddaughter from the University of Iowa’s internationally-recognized writers program and saw the panels there.
Immediately they agreed that it would be the perfect idea for Ashland to promote, not only William Shakespeare but other famed and respected authors of all backgrounds.
Putting together a coalition from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Southern Oregon University, the Chamber of Commerce and city staff, the Thaldens won support for the Playwright Walk from the city’s Public Art and Historic Preservation Commissions. Then they volunteered to pay for the first plaques.
“This project aims not only to enhance the visual and cultural appeal of Ashland for residents and tourists alike, but also to offer quotes on the plaques that uplift the human spirit and delve into the human condition,” Council was told. “By presenting these enduring themes, the Playwright Walk aspires to provoke reflection and foster a deeper connection among community members and visitors.
“The fiscal sponsorship from private benefactors and the Ashland Chamber of Commerce Foundation significantly streamlines the procurement process for the Playwright Walk compared to a traditional public procurement process or a request for proposals that the City might undertake for a City sponsored public art project. This accelerated approach enables the expedited production of plaques featuring selected quotes.”
Community members, businesses, or other organizations will be asked to support the Walk.
The city government plans to develop a “story map” tour of the Playwright Walk. This GIS-enabled self-guided walking tour would be similar to the existing Public Art map and would be hosted on the City’s website, enhancing accessibility and engagement with this enriching experience.
This is not the Thaldens first contribution to Ashland. They have supported the downtown flower baskets, funded the Thalden pavilion on the SOU campus and the mural on Guanquato Way.
“Everyone we have talked to in town has supported the Playwright Walk project,” Barry said. “Including Sandra Slattery of the Chamber of Commerce, Tim Bond and Tyler Hokama from the Shakespeare Festival and Jackie Apadoca from SOU’s theater department.”
