Alex Cuba
At the 2009 Wood River Arts Alliance summit held today at The Community Library, a healthy dose of the valley’s art advocates and leaders shared ideas on how to collaborate with each other, audiences and the cities.
The WRAA board treasurer Hilarie Neely, of Footlight Dance, and president Claudia McCain, actress, were the hosts of the event. Idaho State Rep. Wendy Jaquet moderated.
Upon looking out at the seven long tables filled with artists, event organizers and others, Neely said, “We are a powerful voice in this valley.”
Indeed, founded in 1991, the Wood River Arts Alliance has held seminars, day long conferences, the annual Children’s Festival, and other such gatherings. The organization has about 40 organization and individual members, and has become a recognized gathering house for information on events.
Michael Faison, the executive director of the Idaho Commission on the Arts (www.arts.idaho.gov) pledged that his organization “will be here to assist as a collaborator and help you achieve things for your community.“
Sun Valley Mayor Wayne Willich and Ketchum Mayor Randy Hall both professed a love of the arts.
“The direct result from what all of you do is our quality of life,” Hall said.
Before the gathering broke into breakout sessions to discuss collaboration, calendar of events, the need for venues and staffing (among other things), a slide show revealed how each of WRAA’s members had positively affected the community during the past 12 months.
For more information on the work the members are doing visit www.wrartsalliance.org.
