OPAL Reads Opal

OPAL Reads Opal is our live, multimedia presentation of The Story of Opal: The Journal of an Understanding Heart, the whimsical childhood diary of controversial Cottage Grove legend Opal Whiteley.

Performed during Cottage Grove's The Spirit of Bohemia Mining Days Festival, we had performers from the community read selections of the diary, bringing to life Opal’s unique voice and special relationship to the natural world. Along with live music, moving images, and dramatic lighting, this show immersed you in the imaginative world of Opal. Guaranteed to provide glad feel!

Nikki Pagniano reads from Opal Whiteley's diary during our performance of OPAL Reads Opal.
Nikki Pagniano reads from Opal Whiteley's diary during our performance of OPAL Reads Opal.

Learn more about Opal Whitelely:

OPAL’S WORK

The Fairyland Around Us / Opal Whiteley
A digitized copy of Opal’s first book, which she self-published in 1918.

The Story of Opal: The Journal of an Understanding Heart / Opal Whiteley
Opal’s diary as originally published by the Atlantic Monthly Press in 1920.

The Flower of Stars / Opal Whiteley
A self-published collection of poetry by Opal, published in 1923.


ARCHIVAL COLLECTIONS

Opal S. Whiteley Photographs
Digitized photographs from Opal’s archival collection at the University of Oregon Libraries.

Opal Whiteley Papers
A finding aid to the collection of Opal’s papers and other materials held at the University of Oregon Libraries.

BIOGRAPHIES OF OPAL

Opal Whiteley (1897-1992) / Tim Barnes
A concise biography overview of Opal’s life and work from the Oregon Encyclopedia.

Curiouser and Curiouser: Embracing Opal Whiteley / Robert Leo Heilman
An article in Oregon Quarterly that describes Opal’s life, her mental health struggles, and the controversies around her.

Opal Whiteley / Oregon Public Broadcasting
This short documentary tells the story of Opal’s life through historical photographs and interviews.

Opal: A Life of Enchantment, Mystery and Madness / Kathrine Beck
The most thoroughly researched of Opal Whiteley biographies.

Opal Whiteley Memorial / Steve Williamson
A website full of history, biography, and local details by Cottage Grove’s Steve Williamson.

The Singing Creek Where the Willows Grow / Benjamin Hoff
This book provides a biographical section about Opal, the complete text of Opal’s diary, and an epilogue about the author’s quest to meet with Opal at Napsbury Hospital before she died.

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