Director’s Letter

I am a supporter of and advocate for the arts. I’m sure that’s no big surprise. And I imagine, since you’re reading this publication, chances are you are an arts supporter, too. But, just what do we mean when we say, “the arts?” Do we mean visual art? Fine art? Performing arts? Painting, sculpture, ceramics, theatre, dance, classical music, opera, and literature? What about pop music, fi lm, and T.V.? Absolutely. These are all driven by the arts and by artists. Art is all around us, everywhere we look all day long. The sleek beautiful lines of the fancy phones we’re tethered to were designed by artists. The cars we drive, the logo on your athletic shoes, the characters of the video game you’re obsessed with, the pop or country or whatever music you listen to, the jingle advertising an amazing new detergent, the script to the T.V. series you binged all weekend … all created by people. By artists. Back in 2009, The Art Center’s curator at the time, Camille Silverman, presented an exhibition called “How They Made It,” featuring local architect Lancer Livermont, CMU theatrical scenic designer and scene painter David M Cox, and lead character designer for Blizzard Soft ware, Paul Warzecha. Architect, theatrical stage painter, video game designer. Each one a talented artist and each one either living in Grand Junction, or having grown up and studied here. Three diff erent industries, three diff erent backgrounds, and all infl uenced and driven by a love for the arts, in one form or another. When you support the arts, you’re supporting more than the fi ne arts industry itself, you’re supporting almost all industries. By supporting the arts, you’re bolstering our economy. The Art Center of Western Colorado’s mission is dedicated to making life better for everyone on the Western Slope by promoting the arts. That mission takes on many forms. From exhibitions by artists with vastly diff erent backgrounds and lifestyles to lectures, theatre, music and dance concerts, classes, and much more. Whether it’s through giving visitors insight into new worlds of art, inspiring someone to go into the arts, or actually helping to educate someone in one art form or another, The Art Center works hard to promote the arts in all its forms, in order to make life richer for everyone. We truly believe that art is for everyone. And we believe that the arts not only make lives fuller and more beautiful, but that the arts touch every person in ways they don’t even realize. The arts drive economic growth every single day, and most of us don’t even realize it. Arts organizations are suff ering right now, just like many other industries. But arts organizations are oft en overlooked during diffi cult times, in favor of nonprofi ts that focus on human services. That’s understandable. But as the end of the year approaches, and you begin making plans for end-of-year giving, please remember that the arts, in all its forms, is, at its core, a human service. The Art Center can use your support, and we truly value your gift s, more than we can say.