Local author awarded

HOOD RIVER — James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation in Portland awarded 20 Oregonian authors a literary grant, including local author of The Silver State, Gabriel Urza of Hood River, director of the MFA Creative Writing program at Portland State University. Each recipient received a one-year award of $25,000. The Spark Award for Oregon Artists is a pilot program that picks a specific artistic field each year to award.

“Each of the 2025 Spark Awardees brings a powerful creative voice that strengthens and celebrates Oregon’s rich cultural life,” Foundation Board President Peter Koehler said. “On behalf of the board, I’m proud that the Miller Foundation can support their continued contributions to our state’s vibrant arts community.”

The 2025 category was literary and media arts, and 2026 is visual arts. If interested in participating in this project for 2026, sign up for updates at www.millerfoundation.org.