LIFEST Y LES AN ADVERTISING SECTION OF EVERGREEN NEWSPAPERS | VOL. 14 ISSUE 4 • APRIL 2022
CAE Enters Phase ll Capital Campaign
Artist renderings
By Penny Randell Special to Lifestyles
It was 1974 when dedicated, caring believers created Center for the Arts Evergreen, CAE. Their mission was to enrich and serve the mountain community by advancing while cultivating the arts through educational programming, exhibits and events. In doing so they have not only promoted local art and artists, but gained access to art from across the country and around the world. All of this was accomplished through extreme effort and enough enthusiasm to open their own building in 2017. This space was utilized for teaching, curation and creative expression while metamorphosing a historic building into a gathering place designed for both artists and art lovers. Through a combination of fundraising, private funding and grants this building was purchased and renovated without any leftover debt when it opened. At last there was a place to show appreciation for visual, functional and musical arts. But never was this so apparent than when the pandemic challenged our lives. Through the
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OF THE MONTH Center it was demonstrated that art had the power to heal a community. Artists, art enthusiasts and community members came together during what could have been times of complete isolation. People were comforted as they were invited to see through the eyes, minds and hands of others. Thankfully, new artists evolved as classes, both in-person and zoom, were offered to all. The pandemic created the impetus to add to their existing building through the realization that artists and a huge part of the community are highly dependent on CAE. A review of overall needs meant an architectural addition of more than 5,000 square feet, designed for education, artists and most of all, the community as a whole. The CAE Phase II Capital Campaign that recently launched to realize this expansion project is over half way to its goal of raising $2 million in necessary funds. This Center, located in Evergreen’s Bergen Park, will soon offer a large mixed-use community room, six rental
studios for artists, five offices for full-time staff and most exciting…a forever desired ceramics facility. CAE’s effort to bring the arts to the public is effectively demonstrated through the mixed-use space. This area can accommodate 50 artists and as many as 200 event attendees. This mountain community remains committed to CAE as it provides cultural awareness that grabs the attention of future residents and visitors. Now there will be room for artists and exhibitors to sell their works both in the gallery and gift shop. Too, renovated outdoor space will include a large heated courtyard as well as a community sculpture garden. This space will also be set aside for performing arts and family-friendly events. Garage door walls will be added to facilitate easy movement from indoor space to a communal outdoor patio. Keeping in mind the role CAE plays in this mountain community, we must include the economic gain they provide for many who chose to be involved. At the Center, artists receive 60% of all their sales. Traditional gallery consignments offer much less. As a teaching art-
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