Visit the 1st 'Before I die...' wall in the Pacific Northwest at Salem's Riverfront Park from now until February 10. We've all got a bucket list. Each of us have aspirations beyond our daily needs. Some are fleeting desires, some are weighty goals that draw us towards the future, dreams that we live and work for. Think to yourself for a moment: What do you plan to do before you die? Read Hugo in native French? Stroll through Machu Picchu? Own a pet chicken? Salem's vibrant art scene is encouraging us to participate in Before I die..., the global artistic project that lets us cement these ambitions, big and small, in the public space. Supported by donations from Salem businesses and the city, local artists have revealed an 8-foot cube that allows anyone walking by to complete the sentence, 'Before I die...' in chalk. The outdoor exhibit will remain at Riverfront Park through Feb. 10. The project allows us a glimpse at what our neighbors aspire to, and give us a chance to think about and publicly declare our own aspirations. It may give you ideas, make you laugh, or it may just give you a kick to stop procrastinating and make some of your own dreams happen. The project is a perfect example of why we love our home in downtown Salem so much. We have beautiful art displays like the Hallie Ford Museum of Art, a diverse music scene from venues like the Oregon Symphony, and engrossing theatre from spots like the historic Elsinore Theatre. We are blessed with a creative culture that continually surprises and captivates our community. Started as an improvised chalkboard along the side of an abandoned New Orleans house, artist Candy Chang's 'Before I die...' experiment spread like wildfire into a global phenomenon. Walls have cropped by grassroots artistic communities around the world, giving voice to the personal aspirations found in Chicago, Beirut, Melbourne, Berlin, Madrid, Johannesburg and many others. Photos: Before I die. Salem, Oregon on Facebook
