January 2025 marked the La Center Arts Council’s one-year anniversary, a milestone that was celebrated during a meeting on Sunday, January 26, at the La Center Middle School.
During the meeting, members reflected on the nonprofit’s accomplishments and unveiled exciting plans for the future. With a mission to transform La Center into a vibrant arts destination, the council continues to focus on fostering creative expression and engaging the community in the arts.
Founded in January 2024, the La Center Arts Council has been instrumental in bringing together local artists and the community through various workshops and events. Desi Allinger-Nelson, the city’s strategic specialist, played a key role in launching the initiative by encouraging local artists to step forward and contribute their ideas.
During the meeting on Sunday, Allinger-Nelson received a certificate of appreciation from the Arts Council. Kirsten Peterson, a local painter and the council’s executive director, shared the council’s future vision.
“The general goals of the La Center Arts Council is to provide opportunities for creative expression, to build bridges with our youth and our seniors and to add to the economic prosperity of our community,” Peterson told The Reflector.
She highlighted the inaugural La Center Arts Fair, which took place at the Wheel Club Community Center on May 11, 2024, as an impactful moment for the Arts Council. The event showcased more than 30 local artists, featuring a variety of mediums such as painting, photography, poetry, music and more. In a special community-building effort, children participated in a coloring contest to finalize the council’s official logo. The Arts Council plans to build on this success, with the second annual Arts Fair scheduled for 9 a.m. May 10, 2025, at the same location.
The Arts Council has set its sights on several exciting projects for 2025, as well. One of the most ambitious initiatives involves the use of a $60,000 matching grant awarded to the City of La Center from the National Endowment for the Arts. Peterson highlighted this as a fantastic opportunity as the grant will be used to fund public art projects and educational programs throughout the year.
One key project will involve local high school and middle school students in the creation of a mural on the TDS building on Fourth Street. As part of a curriculum developed by the Arts Council, students will learn how to pitch an art mural to both the city and the building’s owner, gaining valuable insight into the logistical process of creating public art.
“It’s teaching them not only the [mural] process but also the logistical process of being an artist. Being an artist can be a business, and you have to learn that, too,” Peterson said.
In addition to the TDS artwork, the Arts Council will help facilitate a student-led mural at La Center Middle School. The mural, featuring an eagle, will be installed inside the school as a symbol of the community’s commitment to the arts.
The Arts Council is also exploring a beautification project for Sternwheeler Park, although details on this initiative are still forthcoming. These public art projects are part of a larger vision to enhance La Center’s cultural identity and make the city a hub for artistic expression.
“We want to enrich public spaces and make La Center an arts destination where everyone can participate in the creative process,” Peterson said.
Beyond large-scale public art projects, the Arts Council is committed to offering a variety of workshops to engage the community. The 2025 lineup includes collage, mosaic art, glass art and drawing workshops. These aim to provide hands-on learning experiences and foster creative connections among residents. Readers can learn more at shorturl.at/Zypeg.
A raffle featuring art from local artists took place during the meeting to help raise funds for these upcoming workshops and other community programs.
Looking ahead, the La Center Arts Council has set an ambitious goal: to secure a permanent venue for an arts gallery. Peterson envisions this location as a place to showcase art and to host workshops and events to let others explore their creativity.
“Once we get an established venue, then we will have more in-depth events,” Peterson said. “We want to enrich the public space so that it’s a lot more fun and interesting for visitors.”
To learn more about membership, go to shorturl.at/JJfh8.
