HERE IS OUR
PRESS RELEASE for Watonga Arts Center: (sent to Watonga Republican 6/25/2015)
Watonga Arts
Center LLC is a business started by Andy Barrett and Jerry Sinclair in Watonga,
OK. This business will provide art for sale, art lessons, workshops, and rental
space for workshops. Down the road we'd like to offer a framing service.
Andy Barrett
is the owner/manager of Watonga Arts Center LLC. He purchased the building at
111 E. Main St. in Watonga and began remodeling it in 2013. The wall between
the two former businesses was taken out, and steel beams have been installed to
reinforce the structure. The plan is to have an open gallery space in the front
part of the building with moveable display sections, and workshops or studio
spaces in the back half of the building. We intend to feature any and all kinds
of artists' work (that will fit in the space!) in the gallery on a rotating
basis, for the public to view and to purchase. There are several talented
artists right here in Watonga and Blaine County, but we also hope to attract
statewide and nationally known artists in the future. As chairman of the art
show and entertainment portions of the Watonga Cheese & Wine Festival for
the past several years, I've made connections with many artists and musicians
and intend to use those connections to bring a variety of arts programs here.
Our arts center will (not might) not only benefit the City financially, but
will also serve to beautify downtown Main St. and give visitors another
destination to experience while in our area. It is located next to the historic
Liberty Theatre and the Whirlwind Winery.
Though the
building on Main St. itself if not yet open, we've been busy
"preaching" the benefits of arts education and giving the community
and visitors a taste of what an arts center can provide. We've done art activities at other locations -- the library, the Methodist Church for VBS, and at the Foley
building with some 4-H students. Drew Barrett has directed "paint
parties" at the Whirlwind Winery, at the Watonga middle school as a
fundraiser for the high school after-prom party, and in Fairview as a fundraiser
for Relay for Life. The goal of Watonga Arts is to open an arts center on Main
St. where we can have various types of art and programs, including visual arts,
music, poetry readings, storytelling, writing, even stage a children's play. We
know from experience the benefits of children getting to have a hands-on
experience with art and are strong advocates of arts education. Watonga school
system has a wonderful music program but other arts education is left to the
private sector, and that is the niche we want to fill.
I learned of
the Chase/Linked-In Mission Main Street Grant through my Linked-in profile. The
grant application was lengthy and detailed as to what our business is, how it
will affect our community, and our "business plan" for
sustainability. Once the application was submitted, we waited to see if it met
the criteria. We were notified that the application was accepted, and we then
had to get 250 votes for our project via Facebook. That involved many social
media posts asking for support, from our own Facebook friends and their
friends, Linked-In connections, and from members of artists groups, musicians
groups, and writer's groups that I am involved with. Anyone with a facebook
page could vote one time for our project, or for any other project in the
running. We even received votes from persons who had submitted grant
applications in other areas, with notes that they support the arts and arts
education. I beefed up my Linked-In profile and the Watonga Arts Facebook
information. As with a prior grant application we submitted through SWOSU, our
friends and supporters of the arts came through and our project received the
votes needed to move up to the next stage for consideration by a panel of
Judges. The members of the judging panel can be found at the website:
www.missionmainstreetgrants.com.
The
dilapidated building we purchased has good "bones" but desperately
needs major repairs. We would use the grant money to finish the remodel,
including A/C and heating systems, plumbing, hanging systems for the gallery,
materials for storage and counter work spaces. Andy Barrett and Jerry Sinclair
have provided most of the labor at no cost other than their time spent on the
project. With the grant money we would be able to hire contractors to help
finish the remodel and open the doors. The primary operational expense that
will come out of the grant money is payment of utilities -- we estimate that we
should be self-sustaining within three years, so having money to keep the doors
open while we get the business end established is vital. We will also use grant
funds for marketing, and of course, art supplies and materials.
Watonga Arts Center LLC is committed to the
Arts Center whether we get the grant or not, but it certainly would make it
happen a lot sooner. Call me if you have any other questions!! /Linda Barrett
940-735-1065