Nonprofit Newsletter

May 6, 2019 Vol. 9

Heart of the Arts, Inc. (HAI) Enriching lives and creating community by operating and restoring the 1912 Center.

ENRICHING LIVES HOW THE HEART OF THE ARTS IS UNITING THE COMMUNITY THROUGH ART

T

he classical style architecture and faded red bricks with many tall windows make up this 106-yearold historic building in Moscow which sits across from the Moscow high school. What used to be the high school building built in 1912, is now being utilized as a community space for all citizens on the Palouse. The 1912 Center is managed by the Heart of the Arts, a non-profit organization founded in 2002 to encourage artistic and cultural programs.

The building was purchased by the city in 1997 from funds donated entirely by private citizens. There was no plan on how the building space could be useful to the community yet until Heart of the Arts partnered with the city to use arts as a unifying subject as the focus.

The Heart of the Arts has been able to unite the Moscow community from all ages, gender, and race.

This non-profit company was selected by the city of Moscow with the goal to run and maintain the old 1912 Center which has been an empty building for a long while. For the Heart of the Arts, the 1912 Center is about bringing the community together through all means of arts—musical, poetry, sculptures and paintings, Sandra Kelly, board president of Heart of the Arts, said.

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picture is of a Peep, which Kostroff said is from the gallery art show done last year. Each picture holds sentimental value to Kostroff in relation to the building

A popular space in the and what it means to her and 1912 Center is the hallway gallery other residents in the community. first seen when walking through

The Heart of the Arts has the front entrance. Every month, been continuously renovating the a unique theme is presented for the hallway community art gallery. old building with the support of The long hallway always had blank donations from the community.

They are in the process of getting walls but is now always decorated 53 new windows as well as with artwork from the entire repairing the brick and terracotta. community. Heart of the Arts Executive Director Jenny Kostroff The building is in constant need of restoration, and because thinks of a theme that will draw of the donations made by the community, the Heart of the Arts has been able to continue creating “As a former journalist events for everyone to enjoy. and historian, I’ve always

Heart of the Arts relies loved a good story, and this on its countless volunteers who building to me is like a livlook after the building when the ing individual.”

Executive Director is out of the office. They are extremely grateful the countless volunteers who are people in and allow everyone to be dedicated and supportive of the amazing things Heart of the Arts creative with their work.

The most recent theme for does for Moscow and the Palouse.

Volunteers do a variety the community art show is “Light of tasks in order to maintain the and Dark.” The current gallery building such as deep cleaning, exhibits artwork from young shoveling snow, weeding the children to professional artists displaying a literal or metaphorical flower beds, and picking up trash.

The 1912 Center holds interpretation of “Light and Dark.” so much space and empty rooms “It brings the community together.

Even if you look at the art and say, waiting to be used by any person in the community. From the “Well, I don’t like this,” you still “Friendship Hall” to the “Great had a connection to it and that is Room,” anyone in the community what matters,” Kostroff said. who needs a space to hold an

She likes to keep a piece event or workshop, the 1912 of artwork from each market as a Center is readily available to cater keep-sake. Above her desk, there to any needs. are ten or so small pictures. One

The Heart of the Arts makes

1912center@gmail.com

it easy to rent the space by providing chairs, tables, and for a cheap price where anyone can share their skills with the rest of the community, Kelly said when comparing her more difficult experiences when renting out other places.

The goal for the company is to encourage everyone in the community to sign up for a new art class, rent the space for any function, or drop in without reason.

Events such as the Winter Market are held on Saturdays before and after Christmas for all community members to share their art and skills with others.

Bobbi Kelly is a watercolor artist and a recurrent participate in the Winter Markets where she now teaches water coloring classes at the 1912 Center often.

About 20 vendors

participate in the Winter Market.

Each person has a table to display their craft. The different vendors bring a mixture of sweet and savory foods as well as visual art—all held in the building’s vast entrance room. “Everything is handmade by the artist—and all local,” Bobbi Kelly said. The Winter Markets include a balance between all art forms, as Kostroff tries to get a mix between jewelers, potters, and painters to make for a variety of art everyone can enjoy.

“To have a place like the 1912 Center that is so encouraging and welcoming towards everyone, especially artists in the community is an awesome thing to have,” Bobbi Kelly said.

They are continuously accepting resumes and seeking hard working people for

positions such as a future Event Coordinator. Heart of the Arts would love to have additional hard working, detail oriented, outgoing people on their staff.

Heart of the Arts allows artists such as Bobbi Kelly to spread the love of what art means to her to other people who may not have had a lot of experience in the arts, Kelly said.

“As a former journalist and historian, I’ve always loved a good story, and this building to me is like a living individual. There are so many great stories here,” Sandra Kelly said. “It represents all the people and the stories here in Latah County.”

1912center@gmail.com

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1912center@gmail.com