Deb Hauser: Executive Director's Report
This past year has been exciting with a move to a beautiful location and a new endeavor – hosting an art gallery. Occupying this location spurred us on to a new activity that forced us to learn, experiment, and look to new horizons. Traditionally, we have been an organization, which supports emerging and established artists. We also offered opportunities for children to experiment with the arts through our Arts Happenings. Establishing an art gallery and arranging exhibitions encompassed not only displaying paintings, photography, and sculpture but also offering music, drama, and writing opportunities.
We now have our lovely Lillian Yahn Gallery named in honor of a beautiful person and a true friend to the arts. The Yahn family has been extremely supportive both financially in allowing us to renovate and expand and physically by attending our exhibitions openings and closing, benefits, and purchasing art. We are extremely grateful to Bettie Yahn-Kramer, Tony Kramer, Glendon Yahn, Gloria Valenti–Griffith, and Robert Griffith anf their friends and family for their many kindnesses.
The initial transformation from a dreary and dark dry cleaning establishment to this art gallery happened through the hard work of the Board prior to our Annual Meeting on August 4 and through our Open House and Dedication on October 1. The second phase of renovation was in March of this year by Pam Kreutz, Lauren and Taylor Kreutz, and Crystal Wing. The beautiful lighted, glass cases begged for a new room to show them off, so our Boardroom was changed into the display room.
We pride ourselves in having presented a variety of diverse age groups and mediums in our exhibitions. We began with professional St. Charles’ artists in October and November of last year. Then our second show included twenty different high schools from as far away as Warrenton, Hannibal, and Arnold. Our third show was “Abstractions of Childhood and Nature.” Our fourth show was “Joy – Color, Movement, and Nature.” Our fifth show was “Expressions: Educators’ Artistic Perspectives.” Our sixth show, which just ended, was “Celebration Americana” focusing on Western, rural, and folk art. In conjunction with that show the Golden Gate Dulcimer Club presented a concert and The St. Charles Area Woodcarvers demonstrated their skills and offered lessons in carving to children. Our current show is “Natural Circumstances.” Our future plans include a Focus on Fibers exhibit, elementary and middle school student artists, high school student artists, Black History Month, and “Women as Artists and Subjects.
We answered the call from the Lions Club to offer a Pumpkin Happening, children’s activity area, at last year’s Oktoberfest. Children participated in pumpkin painting and other activities. The Timberland High School Art Club assisted us by creating a fantastic “Gourdgeous” Garden that beckoned children and adults to stroll through the creatively painted pumpkins, gourds, and squash. The St. Charles Area Woodcarvers joined us in carving intricate designs in pumpkins, and a hilarious moment was when we had pie-eating contests. The Lions were so delighted in our area and received so many favorable comments from festival-goers that we were asked to come back this year – but they want our area to be bigger and better. We have been attending Oktoberfest meetings since January, and we will offer not only our pumpkin painting, face painting, and intricate carvings by our Woodcarvers, but also this year we will have a magician, puppet shows, balloon creations, dancing, movies, and a special mural that children will paint in honor of the 200th anniversary of the City of St. Charles – “We Honor the Past. We Are the Future.
We are partnering with the Alliance for Astronomy in offering “Van Gogh, Galileo, and Friends: a Day of Arts and Sciences in Klondike Park” on October 17. Besides an art show, we will have an arts area for children “Sunny Days and “Starry Nights.” The Alliance for Astronomy will assist children with science activities and then present a star-gazing party that evening with an array of telescopes for viewing the night sky. We are being assisted in this project by the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department.
We were fortunate to have been awarded two grants to help us provide these events; however, as with any organization during these difficult times, we struggle to meet the financial demands that running an office, a gallery, a newsletter, and hosting a variety of activities require. We would like to offer more opportunities for workshops and lessons here at the gallery for children, adults, and those with developmental disabilities.
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