So much can happen in two months. Since our last ISSUE, We’ve had some big changes administratively. Our dear friend, artist and studio assistant director, Marilyn Tennissen has decided to live with her sister in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Being notified four days before her departure was a shock. Marilyn had served The Studio for well over a year, while pursuing photography and her work as a journalist.
Marilyn is a delight to work with, and I enjoyed that I got to know her better.
The next half of the story stars Marilyn and a young lady named Stephanie Orta. Stephanie worked at the Museum of the Gulf Coast, but participates in community organizations all over Southeast Texas. She is a good friend and is also dedicated to advancing the arts and networking with other nonprofit organizations throughout the Triangle.
Stephanie and Marilyn did some kind of magical mindmeld because they transferred knowledge at lightning speed. By Saturday Marilyn was packed up and ready to join her family and Stephanie was sitting at … the Desk! This transition was flawless.
Stephanie is a quick study but plumbing the depth of the financial and legal part of The Studio administration is a daunting task. Keeping up with our insurances and building notes, CPA needs, scheduling and public relations is no simple task but I believe in her.
As executive director, it is my distinct pleasure to welcome Stephanie Orta as assistant director of The Art Studio, Inc. I also extend my thanks to the residents and members of TASI for their cooperation and patience during this transition.
Speaking of new participants, I would also like to welcome Michael Saar to the board of directors of The Art Studio, Inc. Michael comes from a theater background, working with Ad Hoc Theatre group and Beaumont Community Players. We hope the interdisciplinary input will direct our ideas toward a much needed performance center that would accommodate theater, music and dance, as well as rentals for meetings, parties and events, along with additional space for classes.
As a final note we lost a pair of Studio originals. D.J. Kava, whom we all know and love, passed on last month (see page 4). We thank all who came to remember D.J. on Aug. 2. It was an enlightening experience.
The second Studio original was Gary Laird. He served on the board at the White House and directed a very precarious period of The Studio’s development. It is Gary you must thank for bringing up the tradition of post semester parties in 19th-century France, the Ecoles De Beaux Arts (School of the Beautiful Arts). The Beaux Arts Ball continues as our signature event of the year.
Also, congratulations to Sue Bard and my fellow members of the board of the Downtown Beaumont Cultural Arts District — DBCAD for short — for receiving Arts District designation for our downtown. This opens up the possibilities of Art Studio expansion and much needed infrastructure repair and upgrades. The grant also expands cultural and artistic presentations and programs.
With this designation we will not be limited by the state funding through the Hotel Motel Occupancy Tax, of which very little goes to support the arts. The state would rather give to programs that promote cultural events but not support the organizations that present the activity.
Great things are happening here and I hope all of you come to experience the unique atmosphere and rustic surroundings of an artist space open to the public.
Welcome all — we are your community.