In the early 1900s, the Spray General Store was a place you could purchase anything from gum to gunpowder. But today, the space serves a new purpose.

For the small-but-tight-knit town of Spray, the General Store has become a place that fosters community and connections, with the arts being one of its main catalysts.

But this transformation took time, and it definitely did not come easy for founder Joni Kabana. Kabana is a photographer and visual artist who has worn multiple hats, including one that involved working with Mercy Corps International in India and Nepal.

But when she first stepped into the Spray General Store, it was a dilapidated space that had seen its fair share of history, and one that asked her to assume an entirely new role.

“I saw this building, and the roof was falling down. The bathroom was disassembled, but I’m like maybe this is a big, open space. I thought ‘Hmm, that could be a good place to have a studio,’” she said. “But it told me to do something much more.”

So Kabana followed that gut feeling and decided to open the store’s doors to the town of Spray, which about 140 people call home. The space held its first community event in October 2021, and has since hosted workshops and performances by artists and musicians from across the globe.

Kabana is meticulous when it comes to applying for grants provided by the state of Oregon to keep these shows free to the public. She wants the general store to be as inclusive and accessible as possible. As of now, she hosts at least one event a month throughout summer and fall each year.

“The building itself has been beloved for many years as a general store,” Kabana explained. “There is kind of an unspoken rule here that we leave all of our differences outside. It’s really quite wonderful to see people coming together through art and music.”

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/10/10/oregon-art-beat-spray-general-store-new-community-hub-for-everyone/