O'er the Holidays We Go

Hooray for holidays. I really needed some time off. The gallery and Arts Council office are closed until January 11. However, I have a few meetings and proposals to manage before then, so I'm not really on holidays the whole time. A solid two weeks is still fabulous. I look forward to getting to know my kids again, spending some time in the studio, and eating all the amazing food that my wonderful friends have gifted us. LF makes the most amazing chocolate-nut item, DPJ makes almond roca, MC makes salsa, LF2 makes peach jam, JA makes ginger shortbread... oh I have the best friends in the world!

New Gallery Hours

Gallery hours will be changing come January 2010. Beginning with our first open day on Saturday, January 23, hours will be 11am to 4pm. This will make our volunteer host shifts 2.5 hours in length instead of two hours. There will be only two shifts per day rather than three. One staff person has had their hours cut from 12 to 10 hours per week. We have been randomly tracking attendance between 10am and 11am, and the numbers have shown us that fewer than 5% of our daily visitors arrive between 10am and 11am. Therefore, looking for places to cut, this seemed a reasonable action.

All Through the Shopping

For many people, Christmas is about shopping and buying presents for all their loved ones. I almost got sucked in this year, as I browsed the Zellers toy section looking for a Barbie radio. Nothing. I thought, "hmm, where might I find such a thing?" but then quickly caught myself and vowed not to add to the carbon output of Canada by traveling from store to store looking for a plastic toy.

That said, I am running around town promoting the Affordable Art Fair at the gallery. 120 original works by local artists, all under $200. Each of these items holds a tremendous amount of energy, wild flowing artistic energy that continues to ooze out of the work for many many years. The same can't be said for that plastic Barbie radio. I realized that shopping can be a wonderful addition to the Christmas season because you can delight in finding the perfect personal gift for the people closest to you. The art of giving has its own energy. Done well, it makes everyone feel joyful. It's only the stress of line-ups, hot malls, traffic jams and cranky clerks or shoppers that spoils it. This is the best reason to come to the gallery and do your shopping there. We're much more relaxed. The Affordable Art Fair runs until Dec. 12.

Death by Chocolate

Two main themes dominated our discussion at the Arts Council's board meeting today: the job list for the Chocolate Reception we're having after the White Lights Christmas Studio Tour on Saturday, and the multiple wounds inflicted on us by the funding cuts via BCAC and Direct Access. We've been decapitated (or, as Jaci put it "the other way around, because 92% of us is gone) by the two major sources of operating funding. Technically, we have no secure operating funds. Of course, revenue generated from fundraisers like White Lights is ours to use as we see fit, and SAGA just received its news about CSA granting some operating funds, but overall there is no light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to stable funding just to stay staffed and pay the rent. Why, then, are we all just putting one foot in front of the other, celebrating, making music, having parties... I just shake my head and laugh, because it's who we are. I love what I do, it's fun. We'd all find a way to do it anyway. I fear the only major repercussion of the funding cuts is that we can't involve the broader community - children, seniors, low-income families - we can't provide the programs to expand the arts. That is a wound that affects everyone, one that can bleed a province to death.

Council said YES!

Hooray! City Council approved SAGA's request for $7500 in operating funds for 2010! We're so happy - and Council was very positive, the vote was unanimous. I'm thrilled. It shows that this place means something to everyone in this community.

Clyde likes me!

Not that I've been feeling like a voice in the wilderness, but I've said many times that Salmon Arm needs an Arts & Culture Policy, and subsequently a Public Art Policy. We need a collective cultural vision for this community. It should be part of the OCP. Yada yada yada. I've talked to a few CSA councillors, they nod in agreement, then give me the "we have lots of priorities" routine. I haven't pushed, I'm trying to work within the system, do my job. Today, after a meeting with Clyde Tucker about a Grantor's Roundtable being planned for the new year, he told me he commented on my post on Aim High Salmon Arm. I immediately checked it (I'm not very prompt about this sort of thing) and I was delighted that he agreed with everything I said. His last statement was "Bottom line: Salmon Arm needs a Cultural Master Plan." Yay! Somehow, when Clyde Tucker says it's a good idea, it suddenly becomes a good idea. He has an amazing amount of experience in policy, planning, investing, strategizing... the list goes on. He's a community treasure. I feel rejuvenated by his comments, and want to work harder to make Arts & Culture Policy for Salmon Arm a reality.

Arts Matters

I listened with interest to CBC Daybreak's special this week "Arts Matters." Heard from a few people whose names I know from various media releases and events promotion. Today there was a public forum in Kelowna. One fellow was talking about how a new and otherwise unsellable development in Toronto brought in an arts component and suddenly blossomed to become a cultural destination. He also advocated for creating a low-cost district for artists, making it easier for them to live/work in publicly accessible studios. This plan re-invigorates communities, making them lively and interesting for everyone. Makes me think that our little cultural district in Salmon Arm (from Filiatrault's on Hudson, up past the gallery and down to the theatre) can use some attention. What would happen if the landlords in that area made space available to visual and performing artists at cost-recovery rates. For instance, that lovely little space in the bottom of the old courthouse. There are likely many little cubby-holes that can be turned into studio space for artists, thus giving that area more creative energy. More fun for both visitors and residents... with the added bonus of keeping young people in the community.

Busy

Everyone is busy. Personally, I have a husband, two kids, a farm, two jobs, a career as an artist, friends, parents, groups I belong to, a Spanish course, and a house to fix up. I try to make time for yoga, swimming, walking, reading, going to movies and concerts, printing my photographs, playing the recorder, writing to friends and taking vacations. I've been through the "seven roles" exercise, but really, how can we stop at seven things? Squeezing it all in is what makes me who I am. If I was only seven of those things, I wouldn't be very interesting. Healthier, maybe, but not nearly as interesting.

On motivation

What motivates a person to go to work each day when you know it's a struggle, a gasping for breath among waves of uncertainty? Why wouldn't one just say "okay, I give up" and let it all go? Is it a sense of loyalty, a dedication to an ideal, or just the thin paycheck at the end of each month? I've just gone through an analysis of what makes me walk into the gallery each day to face this turbulent time and juggle all the fundraising projects and ideas into some cohesive plan. I realize now that the struggle is what helps me feel like I make a difference. Passion is born out of accomplishment - when something that was just an idea becomes reality, and people see and experience it, get joy from it and express gratitude - well, that means something. Even if the process was a bit painful, or stressful, or "impossible." It's the artist's nature to overcome.

Public Art Project Number 6

Wow, we're really getting up there. We (meaning myself, Madeleine Eames, and about 35 Salmon Arm kids) just completed the sixth public art project in the downtown. We gathered at Fletcher Park last week to bash tile and create many little images about things we love about the Shuswap. There are flowers, mountains, sky, suns, lake, fish, birds, houses, a cat and a crab. Plus a few abstract works from those budding Mondrians. It is located in the centre of the park, right beside City Hall. The adhesive should be set by now, and we will be grouting this week. For many years to come, kids will be able to see the little dash of colour they added to this world.

Public art project number 6, after the bumpy things at the post office, the apples at SASCU, the family at Fletcher Park, the City Hall art collection, and the Ross Street Plaza water fountain pebble tiles. This is only the second one created by kids. Soon, we will have many very small public artworks around town created by this community's children.... watch and see!

The Dust Settles

Humans... we're so resilient. We can become accustomed to pain. Just used to it. Here we are, appearing on the outside as though nothing is wrong, while inside we are scrambling to find some secure funding to keep going past the end of the year. Some immediate cuts have taken place, like custodial staff (please, no one barf in the gallery while I'm working), office supplies (donations of working pens welcome) and cheese for opening nights (what? no more Gort's Gouda?) Come January, gallery hours will be reduced. Musicians honorarium will be axed. Commission taken on art sales will go up. Rentals will go up. But you know what? We'll get used to it. Stings now, but it just isn't enough to make us march on parliament. I don't know what ever will. Maybe if I'm out of a job in January, I'll start walking.

City Council presentation

I have just returned from presenting a budget proposal to City Council for $7500 in annual funding for the art gallery. About 20 people came out to show their support - artists, musicians, administrators, funders and gallery-goers. My main point was that we've been running this gallery for 15 years efficiently and with joy, and now we'd like the City to step up and help fund a portion of our operating costs. It would be about 8% of our budget. It is no longer possible to run the gallery on volunteers alone - we have a hard-working staff and board of directors, but our volunteer base is slowly disappearing (a phenomenon noticed by many non-profit organizations). The four staff we have don't even make up a full-time job between them, but the work we get out of everyone - whew! Now we wait for Council to consider our proposal. We hope that by December we will know that they are committed to supporting this important community hub.

Call to Action: Art Black-Out February 12 - 28, 2010

It's hard to believe that one government can single-handedly destroy what takes years to create - a vibrant arts community. The government didn't create it, we created it. Through a lot of hard work and passion, our little community has 33 arts groups representing about 4000 artists of all genres. But the government can tear it down through this brutal set of cuts to funding on all levels. What do we have in our arsenal to fight back? Lobby groups, no. Big corporate interest, no. Big money? Certainly not. Here's what we do have - art. Yes, we can leverage our art.

Want a life without art? Let's see what that looks like: Art Black-Out from February 12 - 28, 2010. Art galleries take the work off the walls. Theatres close your doors. Musicians don't play. Dancers don't dance. Artists don't exhibit. Poets don't read.

Show the world what the provincial government is doing to the arts in BC. Fight back.

Denied

I am writing to advise you and your organization that your request for a regular 2009/10

community gaming grant has been denied.

That is the first line in the letter we just received from Gaming via email. No shock, as I have learned today that arts organizations all over the province are reeling from the same news. On the backs of the poor, this government is generating revenue to pay for the Olympics, tax breaks for businesses, MLA salaries (increased by 30% last year). On the other side: arts groups, seniors groups, organizations that feed the homeless, amateur sports groups.... all denied. Who is going to stand up and say this isn't right? Who? Surely as polite Canadians we can't actually protest, or have a revolution. No. We'll wait until three years from now when the next election comes and everyone has adjusted to the wounds inflicted on our culture, and elect the same pathetic group of morons that we elected this time. We'll forget the lies, the betrayal, the actions that smacked of fascism. We always forget. Until then, we will pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, keep putting one foot in front of the other, find some creative ways to fill the gaps... all because we are passionate people who believe in doing the thing we love. We will survive.

Still no word...

Not only were we left hanging when the Provincial government decided to freeze Direct Access funds and not tell the non-profit organizations what was going on, but now the media releases all say "The Freeze is Lifted!" and there is still no word from Direct Access or the Government! We don't know if we'll get what we've received for the past six years, or less, or none at all. I just heard this morning on CBC radio that a Vancouver theatre festival received word they were denied their Gaming funding, money they were counting on for this year's event. Now I'm really worried.

My board of directors meets this week to discuss the situation, although without any information, what's to discuss? Cuts to staff? I don't imagine the board members want to do my job, I wonder if they even realize that would have to happen. You can't cut someone's hours in half and expect the same job to be done. Oh wait, the government itself has been doing that for years to civil servants, RCMP, etc. Do you think they'll cut MLA wages by 40%?

End the Freeze. Buy an Ice Cube

Crazy - We raised $73 today selling ice cubes to the passing public out in front of the art gallery. Many people had a laugh and happily donated a few coins or dollars in exchange for an ice cube. It helped that it was a very hot day. We were protesting the funding freeze by BC Gaming. So many people had no idea, and even non-arts folks were surprised to learn that sports groups were experiencing the same crisis. This affects everyone, because your local PAC, or ski club or writers group may be depending on that money for their next project, festival or event. Now, that event may not happen, or their doors will close, or their staff will be laid off. Big consequences. Everyone should be calling Kevin Krueger and Gordon Campbell making sure they know what funding like means to a small community. They're talking billions, we're talking thousands - but those thousands have big impact in Salmon Arm. Don't sit back and let this happen. We all must make a stand. Tell the BC Government to give arts, cultural and sports group their duly assigned Gaming funds.

Paint the Town

For the fifth year, 20 or so artists hauled their gear to a downtown location in Salmon Arm to create a masterpiece. In one day they painted our luscious scenery and then brought their work back to the gallery for display and the reception. What a hoot. Everyone was in a good mood, the weather was perfect, not too hot and just enough haze to make an interesting painting. A few newcomers this year, which is always nice to have. It's like Christmas when I go back to the gallery at the end of the day - bless Margaret for doing intake for me these last couple of years. I never get to see anyone else's work while I'm slapping paint to canvas in the same frenzied way. Again, I'm blown away by the quality of the work. It's a beautiful show. David Askew - get your butt down there and look at the cool work Justin Maas did of your store! And put a bid on them while you're at it.

Now, to Paint the Festival - I've got eight artists lined up to paint on Sat/Sun at Roots & Blues. They are all excited and rarin' to go. Can't wait to see what they do - especially given the opportunity for night-time paintings. Ooooo.

Funding Cuts

Oh brother. Talk about creating your own reality. I've never worried about BC Gaming funding until this year. I was so stressed from the moment I plunked the application in the mail back in May. Now I'm thinking that I was in tune with some universal vibe that Gaming was going to pull the rug out from hundreds of arts organizations. Nothing is for sure, but the word is that Gaming has frozen our funding pending the next provincial budget on September 2. This on top of BC Arts Council funding being cut by 40%. Is this their brilliant plan to stimulate the economy? No, it's their plan to pay for the Olympics, I'm sure. This is old-style dirty politics. I thought as a species we were making progress, understanding the impact arts and culture has on sustaining communities, both economically and socially. Apparently none of the suits in Victoria have entered the 21st century. I'm just so mad I can barely formulate a nasty letter to Kevin Krueger. I think I need a face to face meeting with him and our own MLA George Abbott. I'll be sure to pull out my bag of stats to prove what all the intelligent people know about the benefits of supporting arts and cultural groups.... one of which is that for every dollar the Provincial Government invests in the arts, they receive $1.36 in tax revenue. Seems like a good investment to me.

Downtown Music

Oh what fun. Old Man's Beard played at the Ross Street Plaza during lunchtime today. What a fantastic group - it's only a matter of time before we'll be paying $125 to see them in a grand stadium somewhere. Had to stand in the dotted shade of a sad little tree, but I was lucky as most were in this full 39 degree sun. The musicians are such troopers, baking on the concrete stage and still bustin' a move and singing their hearts out. Love the song "Tofino." What a great town, so much talent, and a few dedicated organizations working to give these artists exposure. Not much monetary reward, but lots of exposure. We threw $5 into the Tequila Fund.

Vancouver Art Trip

Another quickie trip to Vancouver to see the Vermeer Rembrandt show, plus a few other galleries on the "Drawing" tour. Must say, wasn't too impressed with the Dutch masters show. One Vermeer, not even the blockbuster one, and a few little Rembrandts. Enjoyed some of the historical information, and some of the big portraits were quite impressive. It only took us two hours to do the whole thing, which included the trip through the knick-knack section, where I spent $1.75 on some Vermeer stickers. How embarrassing. The highlight was the second-floor show: the Emily Carr and Jack Shadbolt drawings - wow. Of interest is Jack's efforts to "exorcise" the influence of Carr on his work with the "Hornby Suite" drawings. I got sucked into them, was there. Very cool. His early work is fantastic, too - from the 40's. We Canadians have some great artists. Couldn't be bothered to spend much time on the other shows, photography - not my thing. The installation in the atrium was hilarious - like time travel. Loved it.

Visual Radio

I'm amazed what good editing and gentle music can do for the spoken word. The interview with CBC Daybreak's Jennifer Chrumka this morning was wonderful. She made me sound so good! Unfortunately, Daybreak doesn't post a podcast, so anyone who missed it is really out of luck. Talk about an ethereal piece. I feel blessed that Jenn contacted me about the show, as it really was an enlightening artistic experience all round, and I think that message came across clearly over the airwaves. I used to think describing visual arts on the radio was, well, unsatisfactory. Now I feel differently, of course. I suppose it engages your imagination, which can be far more intense than reality.

I love CBC Radio

Jennifer Chrumka from CBC Radio interviewed me today about Visceral Loss, the exhibition of five Shuswap artists who painted at Roderick Haig-Brown Park. Jennifer was very considerate and encouraging as she held the microphone alarmingly close to my lips. The gallery was closed, so it was just me and my quivery voice hoping against hope that I answered each of her questions in some coherent manner. We finished and she thanked me and left, poking her head back in to quickly asked what kind of music I listen to while in my studio. Truthfully, I only listen to CBC Radio! I'm in my right brain anyway, so learning from all the wonderful guests on the various programs happens so naturally. I love it, the constant chatter from that handsome Jian Ghomeshi (on Fridays, my day off), or Paul Kennedy, or Randy Bachman if I'm out there after the kids are in bed. It motivates me, the ever-present value on the arts. I told Jennifer this, and she laughed. I hope she didn't think I made it up. Anyway, my back-up answer was Leonard Cohen. Eric and I listened to "The Future" album for three solid years in art school. When we play it now, we instantly feel stressed and hungry. Thus, CBC Radio is on in my studio. It feeds my soul.

Always Thank the Right People

At this week's WOW concert, the Cats & the Fiddle played a wonderful set. Half-way through the last song, the lead violinist calls out "and thanks to the City of Salmon Arm for Wednesday on the Wharf!" I just about choked on my popcorn. Last time I checked I don't work at City Hall. Aside from renting the gazebo to us, the City doesn't have much to do with this concert series, now in its 16th year. A lot of hard work by Arts Council volunteers, and a great many business sponsors, have made this possible. I wonder if the musicians in this community even notice who they send their application to each year, or who writes their cheque. The Arts Council is almost invisible in this community, but WOW! is supposed to be our flagship - the one program that is known throughout the BC interior, loved by all ages. I guess I'll have to charge up the branding machine...

A great WOW and opening

A wonderful week, with a fantastic Canada Day WOW concert. Ethereal Edge were fine, and Old Man's Beard rocked. I've never seen that many people dancing in front of the gazebo at a WOW before. Must be a record. I hope it happens again and again.

And a lovely opening for the dual park exhibitions - from eleven Revelstoke and Shuswap artists. About 100 in attendance, and the noise level was insane! Couldn't even hear Jake, Willy and Bill over all the racket. High energy, which is great. This show provokes people a bit, makes them think about development at the mouth of the Adams River. A few "pretties" but mostly high impact works.

To WOW or not to WOW

For those of you who packed your lawn chairs and water bottles down to the wharf last night hoping to see the Salmon Armenians, I want to explain how the WOW! concert rain policy works. Our sound technician, Bryan, nice guy, requires about two hours to set up the electrical equipment. The sound check is at 6:15pm, so that puts him at the park around 4pm. If it's raining, he can't set up electrical equipment. If it's a shower and we expect it to end within an hour, then he can hang around and then start setting up double-time around 5pm. If it looks like it's going to rain for a while, then we're basically finished. The band also requires some time to set up before the sound check. If it starts raining during the concert, it's not as bad, things can be tarped. However, because there are no gutters on the gazebo, a lot of water finds its way onto the stage, damaging the musician's equipment.

So, if it's raining at 4pm, and the forecast is for more rain, we cancel the concert. If the sun busts through at 6:30pm and everyone gets excited, wanders down to the park and finds it cancelled.... well, now you know why. To find out if a concert is cancelled, listen to EZ Rock (we always tell them first) or call the Arts Council office 832-6807 (we will put a message on the answering machine).

SAGA's AGM

You know your organization is doing a good job when hardly anyone attends your AGM. With a dismal turnout of 9 people over and above the board of directors, I should feel complimented. However, I would have liked more people to see the slide show I prepared of our "year in review" with 130 fun photos of our wonderful events and exhibitions. Thank you Roger at DIA for arranging that DVD projector - it's good to have friends in high places (he's on the second floor). I think I'll make a youtube video of it, because, darn it, we have a good time presenting art in this town.

OCP and rain

My first OCP meeting. We went over the terms of reference and the overall planning schedule - not too much fun. However, the exciting part is still to come. This community is at a cross-roads. We can choose what kind of city we're going to be - a city of tourism, arts and culture, where people come just to bask in the character of our town and experience our terminal coolness. Or, a retirement village. Or, a city of shopping. Oh wait, Vernon is a city of shopping, so is Kelowna, and Kamloops. Hmmm. Maybe we should think about where the niche is.

And what is with the rain? We need it so bad, but please don't rain on WOW!

Gerry Marchand opening reception

It's not a surprise, Salmon Arm folks don't come out in droves to an opening reception for an out-of-town artist.  However, the few who did come to the June 5 opening of Gerry Marchand's "In Search of Light" (he's from Vernon) were the ones who genuinely wanted to be there.  First, some lovely words by Louise Wallace - her business Mediability is the sponsor of the show.  She said that as her high-school art teacher in North Bay, Ontario (quite a coincidence, hey?) Gerry emphasized creativity over a specific talent in drawing or painting. Seeing how creative she is in her web design business, it's clear that it was a gift for her.  A couple of other former students came, ones who'd never attended an opening before.  One of them ended up singing old songs with the other crooners, leaning in to read Tom Brighouse's score as he played the Kuwai with soul and charm.  A few others had seen one or two of Gerry's works elsewhere and felt a certain draw to come and see this show.  Gerry and his wife, Marie, are lovely people, easy to talk to.  They were delighted with the reception.  Gerry will be back on June 18 to talk at "Coffee Break" at 2:30pm.  

Interview with Kay McCracken

Hello all, Margaret Chrumka here. For those of you who don’t know, or just wonder… I work a few hours a week for both the gallery and the arts council and I pull the Umbrella arts council newsletter together each month.

In preparation for the June Umbrella, I had hoped to connect with Kay McCracken to do a face-to-face interview about her new book – A Raven in My Heart. We couldn’t seem to manage a meeting, so I ended up quickly sending her a few questions via email. I was so pleased with her responses and she enjoyed the process, so we decided to post our Q and A. Kay’s book launch is set for 7pm, June 13 at the Gallery.

What was the name of your bookstore? 

Reflections, plain and simple. Ironically the bookshop reflected things back to me that hastened me along on my spiritual journey.

How long was it open - when did it open and when did it close? 

I opened it the beginning of September 1993 and it closed December 31^st, 1998, about 5 and a half years.

Why did you close it? 

The “final nail in the coffin” was the “beautification of Shuswap Street,” which was the two and a half months that Shuswap Street was barricaded at both ends of the block as men and machinery tore up the street. Even the sidewalks disappeared! That travesty was right on the heels of the fire of ’98, and the evacuation of Salmon Arm. Eventually health issues and burnout played a part, too.

How was it the impetus for your book? Was it?

Well, this was a story begging to be told. When I moved to Salmon Arm to open a bookstore named Reflections, I felt like Alice falling down the rabbit hole. Like Alice, far from finding an idyllic garden, I found myself in a world that had its own nonsensical rules. 

When do you think you developed this connection with Raven? Have you always lived in BC and had this connection? Is this something that evolved as you worked at the store?

Raven first came to me when my plans to move to Salmon Arm and open a bookstore were well under way. Raven is a powerful Trickster for First Nations people, and in mythology he’s the figure who embodies paradox and change. It’s probably no mistake that this mysterious bird began showing up—in person as well as symbolically—as I was at the threshold of middle age. With seismic hormonal changes playing havoc with mind, body, and spirit, it was if the spirit of Trickster taunted me. I began to learn as much as I could about the iconic bird.

How long have you been working on the book?

I began writing the book a couple of months after I closed Reflections. It was either that or go crazy. I found that the process of writing helped me make sense of what had happened. Opening the door to creativity was the most healing and the most beautiful thing I could have done for myself. So, off and on over a ten-year period, and hundreds of drafts later, I have something I’m proud of. 

Can you easily describe how you feel as it is about to be released?

I’ve gone through a lot of different feelings about releasing something as personal as this book is. A memoir is so much more damning than a novel. It’s your life, your feelings (and failings), your family and friends that are being written about. Thankfully, the fear (what will they think) has been mostly replaced by positive feelings of joy at the opportunity to share my labour of love with people.

 

Wednesday on the Wharf begins

That Jacob Verburg... what a guy.  He's been so laid back these past few months, working away quietly and happily, getting everything lined up for Wednesday On the Wharf.  Yesterday he was beside himself with stress, getting all the last minute details worked out for the very first concert of the year, bless him.  But what a way to start the season - Dan Engelland played to a crowd of about 300 people on a beautiful sunny Shuswap evening.  What could be better.  And Jacob has created quite the amazing line-up for this year, there are several bands on the schedule that we've not seen at WOW yet.  It looks like it's going to be a fabulous season.

Panicking on Gaming Grant

My stomach is just in knots over the Direct Access Grant application.  I still haven't seen the gallery's name on the BC Gaming website as having been received.  We mailed it May 19 via Express Post. Oh, the stress...  I'm sure that they just haven't been able to add all the names of people who sent their grant application in last minute, right?  Still, one always wonders if something went wrong, or maybe I missed something.  Oh I can't stand it, I wish they would just send the same amount of money every year so we don't have to go through this each time.  I just want some continuity.  This constant angst over deadlines and budgets and "demonstrated need."  We're running an Arts Centre!  Of course we have needs!  In fact, we have far more needs than funding, but I'm willing to get along at our current level if I could avoid these annual application processes.

Ross Street Plaza Water Fountain

I'm so pleased with the fountain at Ross Street Plaza.  It looks so beautiful with all the little pebble mosaic fish swimming happily.  We put blue stones in the corners to soften the diamond-shaped tiles (designed initially to fit the original 3-tiered waterfall plan of 2005).  Now I think it would look even better if the entire bottom were filled with these lovely blue stones.  It would pull the whole thing together.  However, I understand from the City crew that they need channels of flat surface so that they can clean out all the soap when some yahoo soaps the fountain - which apparently happens once a week on average.  Why don't they install web-cams on either side of the plaza?  They could have it on the City's website (like Silver Star) and people can check in to see what's going on at the plaza, ie. concerts, etc.  Also of use to police when someone soaps the fountain.  

OCP Review Committee!

Wheee!  Yesterday I received my Letter of Appointment from the City of Salmon Arm that I have been appointed to the Official Community Plan Review Committee!  I recognized a few of the names on the list, all excellent people.  I'm very excited.  First meeting in mid-June.  Yay.

Bathrooms and Art

Just realized that I better get to work on the grant application to the Shuswap Community Foundation for our bathroom renovations.  There isn't anything romantic or even artistic about fixing old toilets and replacing 60's plumbing.  We have to install a durable floor, and we're keeping the hideous yellow wall tile (just because it's so retro).  It's tough to be practical. Perhaps a mosaic backsplash for the sinks, or a bulletin board to look at while you're... well, I'm sure we'll think of something.

Art is everywhere in the city

Just back from Vancouver and cannot believe how people survive in that sea of moving bodies and hot concrete.  However, it rejuvenated me, made me think differently about our place, our purpose. Art is everywhere in the city.  Riding the bus made my neck hurt, I was always craning to get a look at some sculpture or creative water feature.  I have to focus more on public art for Salmon Arm.  Today City Council chooses the OCP Review committee members - I applied for one of the ten positions.  If I get on, public art is at the top of my agenda.  Making it part of the Official Community Plan is a priority, then getting continual funding - like the 1% of development budget idea that works in other communities.  If I don't get selected, City Council will be seeing a lot of me anyway, as I am on a mission!

Fresh Ideas about Publishing from RM of Kelowna

Just back from the Assembly of BC Arts Council's conference in Kelowna, and brimming with ideas to renovate the Umbrella newsletter - thanks to Robert MacDonald and an excellent workshop on publishing.  All this time our little newsletter has been full of boosterism, and not educating the public.  I'm thinking and planning big changes to add challenging articles to this monthly item.  Mainly about artistic process, as Chris Tyrrell says "to help the visual artists in your community you need to create more art buyers, and one way to do that is to educate them in the artistic process."