Do we value art?

View from the Strip

By Casey Lessard

As you have hopefully read by the time you are reading this page, the artist Teresa Marie faces funding challenges keeping the doors to the physical presence of the Grand Bend Art Centre open. It’s a concern for me because I run my photography classes there and believe it’s not only good for me and my students, but also for anyone else who needs a decent space for such classes.

It’s also a concern for me because it reflects the way people feel about incidental activities such as the arts in this community. We’ve had no problem finding the money for a new beachfront and Main Street revitalization, but there is not enough support for a $15,000 annual centre for artists and the community. (I have similar concerns about the Baseball Project and other that are on the sidelines because of the bigger ones and the economy.)

It’s clear that I believe in the value of the arts – this newspaper is usually full of arts stories, but I know that I am preaching to the converted. This newspaper reflects such arts and lifestyle stories because that’s the bulk of what happens around here. It’s what people are interested in.

Such activities are interesting, but do we care enough to keep the arts centre open as a physical entity? Teresa Marie needs 150 more supporters simply to keep the doors open, and a total of 350 a year to maintain it in general. Are those people out there? Do you care?

I’ve put my money where my mouth is and will continue to rent the space as often as I can. It’s a central location for my classes, and I’m now splurging to host an art show of my Casey365.com there. Please visit starting this weekend to see my work and the space. While you’re there, consider the value of buying a coupon book and supporting art in the Grand Bend area.