Palmer Arts Council The Palmer Arts Council

January Newsletter

Happy New Year from your Palmer Arts Council! After an inspiring Annual Meeting we are all looking forward to the events the PAC has planned for the upcoming year starting with a concert by Emma Hill at Vagabond Blues on January 27. If you haven't bought your tickets yet they are available at Vagabond Blues, Fireside Books or on-line by clicking the "Events and Tickets" link to the right.

2012 ANNUAL MEETING

LARGE CROWD CELEBRATES THE ARTS IN PALMER

A full house at Rusty's Restaurant in Palmer celebrated the sixth anniversary of the Palmer Arts Council on January 7. Alaska State Writer/Poet Laureate Peggy Shumaker challenged the Council to make the arts the center of life in Palmer and shared some of her award winning poetry with the enthusiastic crowd. The walls of Rusty's Restaurant were tastefully decorated with the works of acclaimed artist Gail Niebrugge.

President Rose Hendrickson reported to the membership with both realism and optimism for the future. She reported that the Council has built strong programs and is financially healthy.

Two people were singled out for special recognition. Kate Patterson, a music teacher at Cottonwood Creek Elementary School, was singled out for her long and extraordinary leadership in music in the Valley. Bridgette Preston, a past board member and past president of the Arts Council, was recognized for her leadership of the Council while on its path to maturity in the community.

Musical entertainment was furnished by guitarist J.D Brook and popular folk songwriter/singer Emma Hill.

The festive evening was partially underwritten by a generous gift from the Mat-Su Emergency Medicine Physicians.

For more information about the annual meeting click here for a PDF version of the annual meeting program

PICK. CLICK. GIVE.

HAVE YOU FILLED OUT YOUR APPLICATION FOR YOUR ALASKA PERMANENT FUND DIVIDEND?

It is the time of the year when Alaskans fill out their applications for a dividend from the Alaska Permanent Fund. The Fund now makes it easy for Alaskans to give a part of their dividend to their favorite charity. The Arts Council hopes it is your favorite. To make your gift, it is easy. The Palmer Arts Council is on the list. Choose PAC and indicate how much you want to give.

Just PICK CLICK GIVE. It is easy and PAC will make good use of your gift.

ARTS COUNCIL RECEIVES $10,000 GRANT FROM

MEA CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

The Palmer Arts Council has received a $10,000 grant from the new Matanuska Electric Association Charitable Foundation. The money is to be used in support of the Council's programs for children and youth.

Public announcement of the award was made at the Arts Council annual meeting on January 7.

The funds come from MEA's RoundUp program. Under the program all electric bills are rounded up to the next full dollar. For instance, if a monthly electric bill is $52.62, a customer's bill is rounded up to $53.00, and 38 cents is put into the Foundation. The Foundation is operated by a nine person board. All are customers/members of the electric association.

Palmer Arts Council operates large programs for children and youth in theatre, band, poetry, and fine arts. Participants pay modest participation fees. The Arts Council never rejects a child or youth from its programs because of inability to pay. Experience has shown that about 25 percent of the participants are not able to pay. In making the grant, the MEA Charitable Foundation's intent is to insure that all children and youth are able to participate.

ARTS COUNCIL ELECTS

BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS

At the Arts Council annual meeting Bill Aube, Allison Little, Jeffery Charvet were elected to three year terms on the Board of Directors. Paul Morley was elected to a two year term, and Dusty Silva and Tricia Barnett were elected to one year terms.

The newly elected board members join Rose Hendrickson, Susan McCauley and Howard Bess to make up the full nine person board.

On January 11, the newly constituted board met in an organization meeting. Rose Hendrickson was elected president, Susan McCauley was elected vice-president, Howard Bess was elected secretary, and Jeffery Charvet was elected treasurer.

Pick.Click.Give.

It's PFD time! Don't forget to Pick.Click.and Give to support the Arts in Palmer by donating to the Palmer Arts Council.

The Palmer Arts Council