Elkhorn Arts Foundation aims to shine spotlight on talent
By Heather Ruenz
SLN staff
The Elkhorn Arts Foundation, though still in the early stages as an organization, is taking off and garnering a wealth of community support in the process.
“We had out first board meeting in September and did research including talking to members of the Whitewater Arts Alliance and attending a Fourth Friday event at Starline Factory in Harvard (Ill.),” Dawn Heath, president of the Elkhorn Arts Foundation, said.
“Elkhorn’s history is so rich with Holton, Getzen, Lakeland Players and beyond. The point is to promote local arts – through music, art, dance and theatre,” she added.
The foundation held its first event, an adults art gallery night at Matheson Memorial Library in Elkhorn, in February. It featured art on display, some of which was for sale, while promoting the work of local artists. There was also live music.
The first fundraising event, Elkhorn Blues Night, was held May 6 at the Monte Carlo Room. It featured Glen Davis plus the Blues Commission, and Carole and the DV8s with Jim Schoberg.
“We chose blues because didn’t want to step on any toes of neighboring communities, as they have bluegrass, country and so on. Plus Glenn Davis is a local blues legend,” Heath said.
“It was a phenomenal event and a good turnout for the first one. We raffled off tickets to Elkhorn events to help promote the local community because that’s really what we’re all about,” she added.
Advance tickets were sold at several locations in Elkhorn and a discounted price was offered to students. Sponsors for the event included the Monte Carlo Room, Geo R. Breber Music Co., Arris Capital Management, Elkhorn Area Chamber of Commerce, Firefly Art Glass, John and Jean Henderson, and Linda Kouzes.
While Blues Night was a one-day event this year, Heath said they hope it will grow enough to eventually become a weekend event.
“The sponsors believed in the success of a brand new event and we’re already looking forward to next year. Our long-range plan is to create a blues festival and make it a big event but that will be down the road. It’s all about learning to walk before we can run,” Heath said.
Future plans
The foundation will co-host a community art show, “Color Me Summer” at Tender Reflections, 1550 Country Club Parkway, Elkhorn. It will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, July 10, open to the public and will include wine and cheese tasting and the featured art will remain on display for 30 days.
This summer, Heath said, the group plans to host an art walk featuring the work of different artists in local businesses in Elkhorn.
“We also hope to have wine and beer tasting at each venue for the walk. But we can’t officially work on organizing that event until we get our non-profit status,” Heath said.
Another adult art night is planned for fall at the library, and talks are underway for a comedy night at The Old Sprague Theatre.
“For comedy night we’ll bring in a comedy troupe and we’d like to team up with downtown Elkhorn restaurants where people that buy tickets can get a discount on meals. That will help promote the arts and local businesses at the same time,” Heath said.
“We started the foundation to promote the Elkhorn area, locally and beyond, because it has so much to offer in the arts,” Heath said.
Get involved
The Elkhorn Arts Foundation is seeking sponsors and volunteers as well as artists for the community art show at Tender Reflections. Heath said they also hope to host a variety of workshops featuring artists at the library.
“We will need people to be hands-on in sharing their gifts. That will be key in our success,” Heath said.
In addition to Heath serving as president of the foundation, the other officers are Jeff Kleist, vice president; Steve Baas, secretary; Chris Clapper, treasurer.
Board members include: Linda Kouzes, Lakeland Players; Fred Palmer, Holton Band’ Debbie Pflanzer, Firefly Art Glass; Lisa Dettman-Webb, Elkhorn Area High School drama teacher; Lisa Selje, Matheson Memorial Library director; Jamie Richardson and Rich Jarvis, EAHS art teachers (one vote between them); and Colleen Huberty, Toe to Toe Ballet.
Others involved with the foundation are David Whitney and Tim Carson.
“Each person brings a specific strength and gifts to the foundation. It’s a great group of people, it really is,” Heath said.
For more information about the Elkhorn Arts Foundation, contact Dawn Heath via email at elkhornartsfoundation@charter.net.
