 Starting New Years Day, I'm elated to share that I had been elected to serve among Walla Walla's Arts Commission board. Our initial meeting was held on January 10th (meeting minutes) and our next meeting will be held February 6th, 11am @ City Hall's Fulton Community Room; please come and share your ideas! The board consist of seven members; one arts education member, one member nominated by ArtWalla, another nominated by the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation, two members joined as active professional artists, and two positions have been filled as community members with a deep appreciation for art.
I joined as an active artist and anticipate sharing my views as one with the board in aiming to address the lack of artist outreach and resources in the Walla Walla Valley. As I communicated in my letter to the City, "Previously working toward my BFA had led me to acknowledge what resources that the young and aspiring are in need of, where as my current experience as a local working artist has opened my eyes to both the flourishing and lacking sides of the Walla Walla art scene." I hope to bring the issue of the closed doors in our art scene to the table and find constructive ways to better fuel our rich and talented valley. I've further noted before being accepted as a member that "The Arts Commission advocates for '...a diversity of arts and cultural opportunities for our citizens to experience'...[and that the]...local Arts Commission may not be equipped to include the experimental and unorthodox art forms produced by the young, inspiring, and alternative artists hidden within the Walla Walla Valley." I feel that it is important that the Arts Commission board provide tools and resources which would empower these members of our community and ultimately create an inclusive environment in the arts. After all, "Reaching out to these precluded members of our community would serve to further enrich the diversity of the arts in Walla Walla and immerse residents in fresh and valuable perspectives. This inclusion would cultivate higher discussion, collaboration, and inspiration concerning the arts for both creators and consumers." These are the key issues I plan to tackle with the help of my fellow board members. I am so very honored and humbled to serve the valley as an Arts Commission member and hope to hear about your ideas and concerns attributed to the arts here in Walla Walla! At our upcoming meeting, we will be assessing the structure and issues of other like-minded Committees to see what steps we can implement here. Please do bring your thoughts or concerns to the upcoming meet; February 6th, 11am @ City Hall's Fulton Community Room. |
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