Restoration

Holidays, time to slow down and get a little perspective on life. This past week or so I've gotten to know my kids again, and had good extended visits with friends. Another week and I'll be downright relaxed. But then, it will be hair-straight back as we embark on yet another fundraiser, this time to restore the bathrooms at the Arts Centre. We've now received several small grants, and one significant one, to bring the two washrooms up to code and make one entirely wheelchair accessible. I, for one, am looking forward to hands-free paper towel holders. Only one event to go - the "Feast of Impropriety." It truly will be a feast, prepared by a well-known local chef, and we will be talking about bathrooms the whole time. Perhaps a little bathroom humour would be appropriate. Sunday, January 30 is the date, and tickets will be $100. A charitable tax receipt can be given for $50 of each ticket. All Johns get a free gift... can you imagine what that would be?

Flood!

Is this amazing wonderful historical building trying to tell us something? While we're desperately trying to find funding bodies willing to help us renovate the sorely inefficient bathrooms, the heating system has been staging its own drama. Today we arrived to a flooded lower level, damaging a great deal of items in the studio space, plus ceiling, floor and walls (interesting how paint will stretch into those large sacs!) However, cool heads have come and gone in the past few hours and we seem to be over the shock of it all. The building wants some attention. Not just physically, perhaps. Sure, we catch drips and patch walls, improve, renovate and replace where necessary, but that's not our focus. We've been discussing how the Arts Centre fits into the City's offerings as far as cultural services, and hoping to become one of the budget items on their books. Arts service is our focus. It's time to look at things differently, what we offer, what we can offer, how we can offer it. Efficiency is the word of the day.

Budget Line

Even though it's not official, we recently read in the Observer that the application from the Arts Council and Art Gallery for joint funding was approved by Council, and that we now have a line in the budget. That's pretty exciting! Even though it's not the full amount we asked for ($25,000 approved, $45,000 requested) it still gives us some security and the ability to leverage that money for other kinds of funding. When an arts centre has a municipal commitment, it's much more likely to get approved for project funding from foundations, other levels of government, and Canada Council. Things are looking up! Maybe now I can buy a pen. When we lost Direct Access funding ($23,000 SAGA, $5500 SDAC) and was cut by BC Arts Council ($3500), I could scarcely breathe. We slashed the budget so severely that I thought any day I could be out on the doorstep. Thankfully, Council acknowledged that we are indeed a very important part of this community, and that our free programs for all ages of residents and visitors is worth something. It's worth a line in the budget!

Face to Face with Art

Just spent five days in Vancouver, gallery-hopping and discovering more wonderful places to eat. Was not very impressed with some of the current shows in the commercial galleries, plenty of mild work. Also, seeing works from the collection again at VAG wasn't too exciting. However, the new Carr exhibit on the third floor was excellent. "In Conversation with Carr" is work by EC and other artists who are responding to her incredible influence on Canadian art. Douglas Coupland was one, and wow, I was impressed. Also of value was an interview with each of the artists, playing on DVD and headsets. I love that. It inspires me to do something like that here at SAGA. It always helps to hear what the artist has to say about their work - it expands our understanding of it. Plus, there's something about seeing the artists face and watching them speak - the media is the message!

Dedicated Staff

Now I know why corporations and even non-profit organizations have dedicated staff to manage social media... Since my last post, we've had Paint the Town, Paint the Festival at Roots & Blues (both raucous events, netting the gallery some much needed cash and engaging a huge number of artists - thank you all!), Fall Fair and the opening of Arthur Brooke's watercolour journals. What a treat to have that in our community. Imagine curator Deb Chapman's delight when someone showed up at the museum with six books containing 324 watercolour paintings of early 1920's farming life with this little girl named Ruth. The exhibition is on at SAGA until September 25 and should not be missed. Today at Coffee Break, I encouraged Deb to take this to the National Gallery - it certainly wouldn't be out of place there. Of course, she's another one who needs dedicated staff to do these extra projects.

Paint Paradise

In the tradition of the Hunaqua Lake painters, and the Orchard Series painters, the next juried members exhibition at SAGA Public Art Gallery will be themed "Paint Paradise: Views of the Salmon River Delta." The call is out for entries to this show that depict the area of the Salmon Arm Bay where the various small rivers enter the lake. Without trespassing on any private property, artists are encouraged to find their way to the pristine spots in that area (and perhaps one would get a nice view from a boat) and depict this area as it is today. In January of 2011, this exhibition will show us paradise before it is paved, through the eyes of our local artists. Margaret Atwood said recently on an edition of "Q" on CBC radio, "leave it to the arts if you want to get the message out."

A New Salmon Arm

It's a sad day for this community. City Council voted in favour of amending the OCP to allow SmartCentres to build a shopping centre on 20-some acres of waterfront (yes, the details are in the words, but essentially we're talking waterfront). While there are many good reasons for this not to have been allowed to happen, my biggest concern is the backward thinking about community planning. I thought information about creative cities, compact urban cores, in-fill and mixed housing, walkable cities, neighbourhood hubs and motor-free connecting trails was getting through to municipal governments. I've heard many stories about other cities that have made huge strides in building thoughtful, people-friendly communities that attract families and businesses. This decision will change the face of Salmon Arm, and will make us just like any other sprawling asphalt-scape with enough recreational shopping opportunities to feed the hungry consumers of our time. Now Council will have to figure out where to build a bigger landfill.

Paint the Town is upon us...

Artists are generally a reclusive bunch. There are a few who are flamboyant, but many are shy and a bit timid about declaring themselves an "artist." I say "get over it." When you have the ability to interpret a subject in a new way, and then create an image of it, no matter how realistic or abstract, then you have something to share with the world. Paint the Town and Paint the Festival (at Roots & Blues) is our chance to show people a tiny glimpse of the process. Now it's one of SAGA's major fundraisers (since the loss of Direct Access funding last year) so we want some exciting work that can bring in big dollars at the silent auction, but we also want artists to have fun interacting with the public and perhaps even putting some of that energy into their work. It's a bit outside-the-box for both artist and viewer. Saturday, August 7 on Hudson Avenue and Alexander Street.

Finding Local Art

I'm just starting to distribute little window signs that say "Shuswap Artist Exhibiting Here" to downtown businesses who show local art. Some of these places enjoy an arrangement with an artist, who maintains a revolving collection of work, adorning their walls with new and intriguing works year-round. Other businesses take different artists each month or every six months or so. Whatever the arrangement, artists generally appreciate the opportunity to show and sell their work in a retail environment. Of course the work has to be visible, meaning at eye level (not stuck between cluttered shelving, for example). When visitors come into the public art gallery they often ask where they can find more local artwork. I will look forward to showing them the little sign that they can look for, and refer them to the Arts Council's website under "ArtWalk" to find out exactly who is displaying where.

It ain't easy being WOW

I suppose to the average concert-goer, WOW looks pretty easy. There's a band, there's a sound guy, there's an audience. Simple. To any of the previous 15 coordinators, this statement is ridiculous. From February onward each year, the Arts Council starts seeking sponsorship, placing ads, applying for grants, booking the sound technician, promoting band participation, booking the gazebo, creating a new poster, establishing a marketing plan, and pulling together a committee of people to select the line-up. This year, things were more crazy with the knowledge that Gaming funds were not forthcoming, and the work to partner with the Downtown Association to make this concert series even possible. And then the concerts start! When the coordinator is up on stage at the half-time break, they are juggling 25 announcements, thank you's and scheduling notes in their head. It's tough, but the main message is that it takes a whole community of individuals, businesses, dollars and volunteers to make this event happen. Let's not let it slip away.

Combining Events

Yesterday, my family had a combined birthday party for the four family members whose birthdays are in June. What a rip. Sure, it's easier for those of us whose schedules seem to require 28 hours in a day. But what we're doing is under-celebrating people, and exhausting ourselves by trying to cover all the bases. Silly?

Let's consider the next scenario: We (being SAGA and the Arts Council) are combining events on Wednesday, June 16. It is time for SAGA's AGM, which at this point doesn't promise to be a blockbuster event. It is also time for the Marie Manson and Blair Borden Awards to be handed out. So instead of plugging in the tea kettle on two different days, we're working together to make a nice reception for the SAGA members and the very talented award recipients; Scott Crocker (MM), Joseph Dansereau (BB) and Asha Pratt-Johnson (BB). Then, weather permitting, we will all hike down to the wharf and enjoy ShuJaz at WOW. We'll be exhausted, but we'll have accomplished a great deal in a day. I wonder if we'll remember any of it on Thursday.

Tribute to Bern Smith

A wonderful opening reception tonight at SAGA. Bern's work is really amazing - his skill at portraits is unsurpassed. It was a delight to see all his friends from the seventies and eighties come out to see the show, and to meet Bern's son, Brett. So many stories, many old photos were passed around, lots of laughs and memories. What a fitting tribute to the man who had such an impact on this community. Bern is the one responsible for many Shuswapians beginning an art collection. He showed us that original works of familiar landscapes have vitality, an energy that prints and posters lack. Like many great artists, this exhibition came 16 months too late. But tonight we celebrated the man and his work. This show continues to June 26. A must see.

WOW begins again

Perhaps it's the crazy weather, but summer doesn't feel quite upon us yet. The first concert of Wednesday On the Wharf is my harbinger. Brian PJ will be there with two big jazz bands. Concert starts at 6:45pm, and the clouds better be white. Roger Parenteau (WOW Coordinator) has just returned from coordinating a triathlon in Calgary during that snowstorm. What a nice change for him to come home to the Shuswap!

Done Deal

Well, it's official. The September 2010 issue of the Umbrella newsletter will be the last. We'll go through the summer promoting all the wonderful Shuswap events, and Wednesday On the Wharf, then that's it. Knowing this made the production of the May issue a little nostalgic. It's a beautiful watery colour combination, blues, purples and green, quite Shuswap-y. I was quite pleased with myself until it was pointed out that I omitted the O-Zone Drama Festival, and made a time error on another event. Now I'll be glad to see the end of it. At least with online info, you can make a change and reload.

TONAC meeting today

Once a year, representatives from the Arts Councils in the Thompson Okanagan region get together for a networking meeting. That is a fancy way of saying "full day of visiting, bragging, whining and laughing." We spent three hours on item 2 of the agenda, which was "highlights," interrupted by a dreadful lunch at the bistro at Rotary Centre for the Arts. At the end of the day, we skipped items 3, 4, 5 and 6, and moved on to item 7 which was determine the date and place of the 2011 meeting. Does anyone else operate like this?

The Paper Newsletter

Now is the time to let me know if you actually read this blog. The Arts Council is considering the elimination of the hard copy Umbrella newsletter and going to an online newsletter only. Currently, the monthly one-page newsletter is distributed free of charge throughout the downtown, malls, schools, hospital, etc - a run of about 600 copies. About a dozen volunteers pick up their "route" and deliver within the first few days of the month. The cost per year - about $1500 in printing, and maybe $4000 in wages for the crazy person who puts it together. The big question is "Do we need it?"

The Umbrella newsletter began 20 years ago in response to a lack of effort by local newspapers to cover/publicize arts and cultural events. Now we have four community newspapers, most of which do a reasonable job of such. SDAC stopped mailing out the newsletter to members when it became a monthly, and at the request of a few members who simply didn't want more mail. Now some are asking for just the simplified online version, "Artscape."

What to do? Please, give me your thoughts about this dilemma. The Umbrella has gone through several evolutionary changes over the years, but this is a biggie. We should know what the community wants and needs before making this decision.

General Meeting Doesn't Appeal

Today was the bi-annual General Meeting of the Arts Council. Each year, we call this meeting to hand out the co-sponsorship grants and give opportunity to arts groups to network, compare event dates, brag about accomplishments. This particular meeting was also meant to share information on the recent cuts to Direct Access and BC Arts Council. We announced that the two co-sponsorship grants given out this year would be our last. Funny thing was, hardly anyone turned out to hear the news. In fact, the two groups who were to receive money didn't show up. What this says about the Arts Council's purpose in the community, I don't know. What was decided by 6pm while Delores and I cleaned up the coffee and cookies... this was our last General Meeting.

News about Direct Access

Recent news from Rich Coleman indicates that arts and culture programs have been cut from Direct Access. He stated something about not being able to justify supporting certain programs. I wonder if he's ever lived in a community where the volunteer sector and non-profit organizations make the quality of life so vibrant. Oh well, his loss, I guess. There was a slight hint that some children's programs might still be eligible. Since the gallery's Family Saturday program is geared toward kids and parents spending some creative time together, I'm not sure that we'd qualify for any dough. I long ago gave up on Direct Access. While others said "next year," I said "they just won the lottery, why would they give it back?" The real question is, why is this government using gaming profits for essential programs, like health and education? That's a little scary, if you ask me, and certainly not fiscally responsible.

Great idea from another gallery

Took a one day trip to Williams Lake and back yesterday to deliver artwork for a three-gal show at the Station House Gallery (opening March 4). After a nice visit with the assistant there, I learned that we here at SAGA are missing a key element in our art offerings - the lay-away plan. Not everyone can shell out $500 for a painting they've just fallen in love with. A 30% non-refundable deposit, plus a personalized plan for payment will help many bring home the piece they love.

Coffee Break

I am sitting in the foyer of the art gallery, updating membership files while visitors enjoy our free coffee break day, hosted and sponsored by the Arts Council. This is a cheap and easy program, costing us only about $40 per event. However, it would be nice to see more donations on the day. Typical door donations at the gallery total about $20 per day. On a slow day we might get nothing at all. There are a few people we only see on the third Thursday of each month, come to get their free cookies (eating one, pocketing two) but most are surprised by the offering and stay longer to view the exhibition.

Where Did January Go?

My life skipped a beat there... I was basking in my holidays, then lurched back into the pace of the gallery, trying to get the postcard exhibition installed and ready for opening on January 22. Then, meetings with DIA, OCP, OCAC - the month just whipped past.

The most excellent recent news is that the Downtown Improvement Association has enthusiastically agreed to partner with the Arts Council on Wednesday On the Wharf Summer Concert Series. They will provide the Coordinator (and pay his or her wages) for the five month position. The Arts Council has merrily brought WOW to the community for sixteen years, without too many hiccups, breaking even each year. However, with the loss of BC Direct Access, that meant that the $3000 or so for a seasonal Coordinator was not going to be forthcoming. Not only was a financial partner needed, but a human resources one. The seasonal Coordinator was changing each year, and often candidates had great skills in music management but very little in administration and promotion. Or, the other way around. This is why the partnership with DIA is so perfect - their promotions position already manages music events that happen in the downtown. I'm breathing a sigh of relief right now, and can't wait to get started on the 2010 season!