Johnson hired as interim Exec. Dir. at The Dalles Art Center; Donations still needed

From The Dalles Art Center:

March 31, 2023- The Dalles Art Center Board has taken key steps to progress the financial sustainability plan of the Center by recruiting Sally Johnson as Interim Executive Director. Sally is stepping in to advance the strategic plan initiated by The Board of Directors and help prepare the organization for a permanent Executive Director.

This week the Art Center, with the generosity of the community, is in reach of meeting its March 31st fundraising goal of $3,500 in committed monthly donations.

“The headway we have made towards the monthly donation goal as well as the generous individual donations gives us the confidence to bring on an Interim Executive Director to help us move forward. Additionally, the Board is excited to confirm that 2023 Art Center programming will continue including, art exhibits and Summer Art Camp for kids,” noted Pam Westland, Board President.

The Dalles Art Center has received $23,500 in one-time donations and $2,200 in recurring monthly donations, as of March 24th. The board of directors called the outpouring of community support “truly humbling.”

The Art Center needs $3,500 of reoccurring donations monthly to operate, according to the board..

More about Johnson

Sally Johnson comes to The Dalles Arts Center with 12+ years of managing programs, teams, and departments at for-profit and non-profit organizations. Most recently, she was the Director of Business Development for the non-profit organization, Oxbow Farm & Conservation in Carnation, WA. Sally led Development, Grants, Membership, Marketing, Partnerships & Community Engagement programs at Oxbow. Sally has an MBA in Sustainable Business from Presidio Graduate School and holds an BA in Visual Arts from Bennington College in VT. Sally is stepping into her Interim Executive Director role with a pro-bono salary, offering her leadership at no cost to The Arts Center. To learn more about Sally’s background visit her LinkedIn profile: Sally Johnson, MBA | LinkedIn

“We are thrilled to have Sally’s leadership as Interim Executive Director. Sally brings experience scaling non-profits with diversified financial plans that include grants, donations and other revenue-generating programs. The Board also appreciates Sally’s background and a visual artist and musician,” noted Philip Mascher, Board Member.

Sally and all members of the Board will be at The Opening Gala for the Gorge Artists Open Studio Tour show on Thursday, April 6th (5 – 7 pm) to celebrate the local artists in the show and to welcome the community back to the Arts Center.

More about The Dalles Art Center and how to Contribute

Exhibits and Hours of Operation

The Dalles Art Center is open Thursday - Saturday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm.

April Exhibit: The Gorge Artists Open Studio Tour show opens Thursday, April 6th and is in place through April.  For more information visit: www.gorgeartists.com or www.thedallesartcenter.org

May Exhibit: William Gary Harvey, Paintings, Drawings & Sculpture in the Gallery.  Born in The Dalles, OR in 1942, William Gary Harvey lived alone, building barbed wire fences in Wasco County, Wyoming & points in between. Unbeknownst to but a few, he created abstract paintings and miniature sculptures from found objects. A selection of the artist’s work will be on display to the outside world for the first time at The Dalles Art Center.

Opening reception is Thursday, May 4th.

Summer Art Camp will return for 2023: TDAC is thrilled to announce that Summer Art Camps will be offered this summer at the Art Center. Registration will open in late April.

Since the TDAC Board released the request for community support on Wednesday, March 15th, the community has answered with remarkable support. Within weeks of the call for support, the community responded with one-time donations, and recurring monthly donations.

The board is committed to keeping The Dalles Art Center open and preserve this beloved, local community organization for future generations. The art center has received many notes from local residents sharing fond memories of their time at the art center and urging the Board to move forward. Looking at the outpouring of community the center has received, and the leadership from an Interim Executive Director are the foundation of a bright future for the art center.

How can you help?
- Contact the TDAC board today with your regular monthly contribution. Any amount you can pledge will help bring The Dalles Art Center towards long-term financial sustainability.
- Shop the Gallery– your purchases support local artists and the Art Center!

To make tax-deductible donations, go to our website at www.thedallesartcenter.org/donate.

For questions, please contact the board at board@thedallesartcenter.org or 541-296-4759.
TDAC board members:

President – Pam Westland

Vice President – Vonda Chandler

Treasurer – Ed Thomas

Secretary – Dawn Hert

Board members at large:

Wendy Patton

Yvonne Pepin-Wakefield

Josiah Dean

Philip Mascher

The Dalles Art Center Key Points:

- TDAC serves the Columbia Gorge and is currently the only dedicated arts organization between Troutdale and Pendleton.
- Over 2,500 youth and adults have participated in the TDAC education programs including Summer Art Camp.
- Over 1,000 artists have been showcased through exhibits, publications, and media platforms supported by TDAC.
- TDAC returned over $60,000 in commissions to local artists in 2022.
- The historic Carnegie Library building which houses TDAC has been restored and cared for by our own community members. Over $75,000 and 5,000 volunteer hours have helped restore and maintain the building.