| Staff
Jane Owen, Executive
Director
Nancy McClure, Administrative Assistant
Joyce Bowman, Grants
Manager
|
| Board
of Directors
Alex Golden - President
Andy Jackson, Vice President
John Cooley - Treasurer
Linda Myers - Secretary
David Cross
Marsha Crowder
Martha Efurd
Clifford Lyon
Jan Nelson
Todd Hightower
Martha Ragar |
Advisory
Board
Roger Brown
Steve Dean
Joe Lloyd, Jr.
Rusty Myers
Gene Graham
Chloe A. Kirksey
Carol Newton
Steve Park
Donna Young
Sharon Weir
Frances Willis
|
| History
of the Center for Art & Education
 |
 |
Established as the Crawford
County Art Center in 1976, the organization began
operations from a small room in the city-owned Van
Buren Community Center. The first art exhibitions,
workshops and “paint-outs” were held
in whatever space was available.
In 1979 the art center purchased a Turn-of-the-Century
home. This became the first Crawford County Art
Center. In 1984 the Crawford County Art Center acquired
the historic St. Michael’s Catholic Church,
circa 1912.
The first years of operations were met with many
challenges. This did not stop the first visionaries,
who organized bean and corn bread suppers, bingo
parties and events, gave their green stamps to purchase
the materials needed to make art a part of their
community.
This pioneering spirit continues today. The Center's
budget has increased ten-fold. Most importantly,
the Center's programs have increased in number and
expanded in diversity. We are currently serving
over 5,000 individuals of all ages. A lot has changed
since the
organization was established thirty-five years ago,
including its newly adopted and more inclusive name,
Center For Art & Education. Yet, its earlier
hope and mission, which is ever being realized,
is that every citizen can experience art.
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