New Gorge arts and culture organization formed
A group of arts, culture and heritage organizations, and individuals has announced the formation of the Columbia Gorge Arts & Culture Alliance (CGA&CA) to promote the Columbia Gorge as a regional destination for arts and culture.
“The Columbia Gorge is home to an array of fantastic museums, art centers, heritage sites and artists,” said Joanie Thomson, executive director of the Columbia Center for the Arts. “We want to be known—like Santa Fe, New Mexico, Paducah, Kentucky, or Nelson, New Zealand—as an arts and culture region, a great place to live for artists and culture mavens, and a great place to visit.” Lloyd DeKay, president of the White Salmon Arts Council, said, “People think of the Gorge as a recreational destination. We want them to also see it as a cultural destination, a magnet of history and creativity that will draw local residents and visitors and benefit our economy.”
The CGA&CA was established following a meeting of 30 organizations and individuals that came together Aug. 17, 2010, at Maryhill Museum of Art to discuss the challenges and opportunities for arts and culture in the Columbia Gorge. The meeting was facilitated by Lee Weinstein.
Among the attendees were Thomson and DeKay; Kris Tucker, executive director of the Washington Arts Commission; Chris D’Arcy, director of the Oregon Arts Commission and Oregon Cultural Trust; Carmen Toll, executive director of The Dalles Art Center; Carolyn Purcell, executive director of the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center; John Maher, Pat Bozanich and Mary Rollins with Gorge Artists Open Studios; Harriet Langfeldt, president of The Dalles Art Association; Connie Nice, museum coordinator for The History Museum in Hood River; Jessica Metta with the Mid Columbia Economic Development District; Roberta Lavadour, Executive Director of the Pendleton Center for the Arts; Mike Cannon with Klickitat County Economic Development, and representatives from the Goldendale Art Gallery, Vancouver USA Regional Tourism Office, Travel Portland, Gorge area Chamber of Commerce organizations and others.
The alliance will focus on establishing the Columbia Gorge as an arts and culture destination through cooperative planning and marketing while emphasizing and enhancing the economic benefits to the region. It seeks to develop a sustainable reputation for the culture and arts of the region, and for organizations and individuals to be recognized as being economically vital to the region. It also seeks to make arts and culture attractive, accessible and engaging to all residents and guests of the Gorge.
Among the Alliance’s first activities will be to apply for capacity-building grants to be used to brand Gorge arts and culture assets and promote the region. The Alliance will focus on a major advertising campaign to promote Columbia Gorge Arts & Culture Month in May 2011, promote major arts and culture activities during shoulder seasons.
Many key events take place in the Gorge in May, including the annual Gorge Artists Open Studios; Maryhill Museum of Art’s Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit (May 9) and Founder's Day (May 21); Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River presents "All My Sons" by Arthur Miller (May 12-21), their Columbia Art Gallery features Animal Essence (May 6-29), Portrait Sessions Workshop every Friday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and a film series (May 25); a new art show at the Peggy Ohlson Studio in White Salmon; the Gorge Heritage Museum's annual plant sale (May 8); White Salmon's Spring Festival; the White Salmon Open Studio Tours; and many more events.
“We think we have a great opportunity to partner with hoteliers, Chambers and other businesses during the off-season to draw visitors to the area to make a weekend out of visiting the Columbia Gorge arts and culture region,” said Jessica Metta of the Mid Columbia Economic Development District. “Arts and culture are key drivers of economic activity in our area,” added Mike Cannon of the Klickitat County Economic Development Department.
The CGACA also plans to establish a website that any alliance participant can use to promote arts and culture activities in the Columbia Gorge. A Facebook page was launched at www.facebook.com/Columbia-Gorge-Arts-Culture-Alliance. The alliance also aims to stimulate collaboration in event planning and co-op marketing.
Metta said it has already applied for grants with both the Oregon and Washington Arts Commissions to develop a logo, website, rack card, co-operative print ads and project manager time to promote the May 2011 Gorge Arts and Culture Month. Several local arts and culture organizations and individuals have offered funding to match the grants, including Columbia Arts, Maryhill Museum, White Salmon Arts Council, Marsha Holliston, LWA PR, Gorge Artists Open Studio and the Discovery Center.
“We’ve had amazing cooperation and energy come out of our meetings so far,” added DeKay. “We agree on what needs doing and we now want to get some key successes under our belt and build momentum.”
The next meeting of the CGA&CA is Oct. 21, 2010 at the Columbia Center for the Arts, 215 Cascade Ave in Hood River. Any person or organization interested or working in arts or culture is invited to attend. The meeting is open to the public.
A website will launch soon at columbiagorgeartsandculture.com.
Mudgett leaves KVH
Lou Marzeles
Editor
MaLisa Mudgett, only days ago CEO of Klickitat Valley Health (KVH), is taking a break.
“I’m going to finish my schooling, and I’m going to be getting married,” she says. “I’m going to figure out what it is I would like to do with the rest of my life.”
Mudgett announced her resignation from KVH a few weeks ago and left her position Thursday. On Friday, KVH CFO Leslie Hiebert stepped into the role of interim CEO while a search for a permanent replacement continues.
Whatever Mudgett does now, it will include health care. “It’s in my blood,” she says. “Anything I do will always involve health care.”
Mudgett looks back on her brief term, a little more than one year, with a sense of accomplishment. “There are a lot of really good people who work here and in the community,” she says. “I will miss people here. I think a lot has happened. The hospital has taken significant strides. It’s stabilized financially. Staffing has stabilized as well; we’ve been able to bring in specialized services that weren’t here before, and there are more in the works.We’ve instituted a new shared governance model with the nursing staff.”
Mudgett’s send-off is on pleasant terms. “I’m leaving for a personal reason,” she says, “so it’s a smoother transition.”
Walk of Honor dedication planned
The dedication ceremony for the military “Walk of Honor,” currently under construction at the White Salmon Cemetery on Snowden Road, has been scheduled for Nov. 13.
According to the organizer of the project at the cemetery, Jerry Smith of Husum, the event, set for 1 p.m. on that day, will include a fly-over by military aircraft and a performance by the Columbia High School band.
The Walk of Honor will feature the names of military veterans who live or previously lived in Klickitat County or eastern Skamania County.
Smith added that order forms to request placement of the individualized bronze plaques that will line the walkway are now available. The bronze plaques will include the name, military branch, rank, and dates of the veteran’s service. The form will provide all the details about the plaques, which are being made at a foundry in Wasco, Ore. The plaques cost $250.
Order forms are available at The White Salmon Enterprise office at 220 E. Jewett in White Salmon, or they can be mailed out by request to Jerry Smith; contact Smith at (509) 493-1934 or (541) 806-0711.
|
