VES Welcomes the 15th and Newest Section in Oregon

By NAOMI GOLDMAN

“The VES Oregon Section has a unique and timely opportunity to build a rich network of VFX artists and innovators and tap into the thriving local visual effects market. Creating a VES Section in Oregon has long been a goal and dream – and we are excited this day is here so we can formally come together as part of the VES community and provide immense value to our colleagues. We look forward to becoming the VFX hub in the Portland Metro area and hopefully throughout the state.”

—Eric Wachtman, CG Supervisor, LAIKA Studios

This Spring, the VES proudly announced the establishment of its newest regional Section in the U.S. state of Oregon. The VES Board of Directors formally authorized the Section’s creation at its March Board meeting. The Oregon Section joins the dynamic worldwide community, which has Sections in Australia, San Francisco’s Bay Area, France, Georgia (U.S.), Germany, India, London, Los Angeles, Montreal, New York, New Zealand, Toronto, Vancouver and Washington state. Now in its 26th year, the Society is thriving with upwards of 4,500 members in more than 45 countries worldwide.

“We are thrilled to welcome our newest VES Section in the state of Oregon,” said VES Board Chair Lisa Cooke. “The VES’ presence gets stronger every year – and so much of that is because of our regional visual effects communities around the world and all that they do to advance the Society and bring people together. Our determination to reach all corners of the globe and to all of the disciplines across the VFX spectrum has yielded us a very rich, talented membership, and that commitment to diversity and inclusion will continue to be a driving force of the organization.”

“The VES Oregon Section has a unique and timely opportunity to build a rich network of VFX artists and innovators and tap into the thriving local visual effects market,” said Eric Wachtman, CG Supervisor at LAIKA Studios in Portland and veteran VES member who was instrumental in forming the new Section. “Creating a VES Section in Oregon has long been a goal and dream – and we are excited this day is here so we can formally come together as part of the VES community and provide immense value to our colleagues. We look forward to becoming the VFX hub in the Portland Metro area and hopefully throughout the state.”