Bend's 100-Year Business History Captured in Abstract Art

Local artist Mark Jamnik invites the public to co-create abstract paintings reflecting Bend's past and future at three Chamber of Commerce events.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 11:03pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a collection of premium, polished objects arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background. The objects, including a vintage typewriter, a wooden gavel, and a stack of ledger books, conceptually represent the abstract themes of Bend's commercial history.A timeless still life captures the abstract essence of Bend's 100-year commercial history.Bend Today

As the Bend Chamber of Commerce celebrates its 100th anniversary, local artist Mark Jamnik is creating a series of interactive abstract art pieces that will capture the community's reflections on the city's commercial history and future. Jamnik will prompt attendees at three Chamber events to write or sketch their ideas, words, or feelings onto blank canvases, which he will then use to inspire his final abstract paintings. The collaborative artworks will be unveiled at a later summer event, offering a unique visual representation of Bend's evolving business landscape over the past century.

Why it matters

Bend has transformed dramatically over the past 100 years, evolving from a timber-focused economy to a hub for outdoor recreation, tourism, and entrepreneurship. By inviting the public to co-create abstract art reflecting on this history, Jamnik's project provides a creative outlet for the community to share their perspectives and help shape a visual representation of Bend's commercial legacy.

The details

Jamnik, a member of the Bend Chamber of Commerce, will host three interactive art events where attendees can contribute to the abstract paintings. At 'Biz & Bevs' on April 14, 'Coffee and Commerce' on May 12, and the Chamber's Centennial Celebration on May 21, participants will be prompted to write or sketch their ideas, words, or feelings about Bend's past or future onto blank canvases. Jamnik will then take these community-generated elements back to his studio, reflect on the conversations he had, and use them to inspire the final abstract artworks, which will be unveiled at a later summer event.

  • The first event, 'Biz & Bevs,' will take place on April 14, 2026.
  • The second event, 'Coffee and Commerce,' will take place on May 12, 2026.
  • The third event, the Bend Chamber of Commerce's Centennial Celebration, will take place on May 21, 2026.

The players

Mark Jamnik

A local artist known for his interactive abstract art experiences, Jamnik is creating a series of paintings that will capture the Bend community's reflections on the city's 100-year business history.

Bend Chamber of Commerce

The Bend Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2026 and is hosting a series of events, including those where Jamnik will engage the public in co-creating his abstract art pieces.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'It's like a collective Wordle, or a word cloud. [It tells us] what people are thinking about when they think of celebrating the past of the Bend Chamber of Commerce and imagining its future.'”

— Mark Jamnik, Artist

What’s next

The final abstract artworks created through Jamnik's collaborative process will be unveiled at a special summer event later in 2026.

The takeaway

Jamnik's project offers a unique way for the Bend community to reflect on and help shape a visual representation of the city's evolving business landscape over the past century, fostering a sense of shared history and future as the Chamber celebrates its 100th anniversary.