LIFESTYLES the of Evergreen is growing HeART

By Lisa Nierenberg Center for

the Arts Evergreen

For 49 years, Center for the Arts Evergreen (CAE), has worked to bring the arts and the community together. In addition to bringing world renowned and award-winning art to the mountain community, CAE has created a space where all are welcome, creativity is nurtured, and individual expression is encouraged. Over time, CAE’s dedicated sta and volunteer have created a multi-cultural art center.

As CAE gets ready to break ground and add 5,800 sq to its existing building, it’s a great time to re ect on the history and importance of art in our community. e vision for Phase II started long before current executive director, Lisa Nierenberg’s tenure at CAE. In 1974, a group of art enthusiasts forged a plan to provide moun-

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tain area residents with an avenue to experience a wide variety of art, while also bringing high-level art instruction to our community. is organization was called the Evergreen Area Council for the Arts, and is now known as Center for the Arts Evergreen. In 2003, CAE moved into its rst location at the Miller House, adjacent to Buchanan Rec Center, with plans to nd a permanent home. anks to the generosity and support of the mountain community, CAE purchased, renovated and moved into our current location in the old Bergen Park Church in 2017, where the center continued to thrive and we began to raise money to build Phase II.

When the world was forever changed in 2020 due to the pandemic, plans were put on hold, priorities changed, and CAE witnessed and understood rsthand “why art matters.” People wanted a place to create, learn and discover. e community needed the arts more than ever and CAE needed the community. CAE pivoted, reimagined, and found new ways to keep the Arts Alive in the Mountain Community. It brought artists, art enthusiasts, members, and leaders of the mountain community together. CAE became a sanctuary for self-expression and because of that, the arts stayed alive and solidi ed CAE’s place in Evergreen.

It is because of the generosity and support of the community that CAE is thriving. According to Lisa Nierenberg, “Whether you have attended one of our exhibit openings, learned something new through one

From Page 1 of our classes, enjoyed an evening with friends at one of our concerts, or perhaps attended or volunteered at Summerfest, we hope CAE has had a positive impact on you or a loved one. However you have participated, we hope your experience has reignited your imagination and reminded you ‘why art matters.’” Nierenberg stated that art matters because it evokes emotion and challenges us to think and feel di erently. It is an outlet for creativity, a conversation for change and a look into the complex world we live in. It is also an avenue of hope, of the joy of self-expression, and a connection point for people of di erent minds to come together. It is quite simply a mix of universal human truths and our need to be understood.

In pursuit of CAE’s mission, it is excited to bring the arts and community together by doubling its space for all to enjoy. e new addition will include a ceramic studio, artist-in-residence program, artist studios and a 1,200 square-foot community space that

Please see CAE, Page 6