Doug Moore, left, and Tedd McDonald, second from left, representing the Churchill Arts Council, accept a donation from the Board of Commissioners to support operations and programming at the Oats Park Art Center. Also pictured are Commissioners Dr. Justin Heath center, Myles Getto, second from right, and Bus Scharmann, right.
Anne McMillin
Board members from the Churchill Arts Council approached commissioners at their first meeting of March for a donation to fund the group’s activities.
Directors Doug Moore and Tedd McDonald said the Churchill County Commission has previously helped the arts council with its events.
“We have had a good year but some ups and downs,” Moore said.
After their presentation, commissioners voted to approve an $8,000 donation for fiscal year 2023.
Commissioners also learned Michael Scott, the executive director of the Churchill Arts Council, has tendered his resignation effective July 1. Scott stepped in to become executive director after the death of co-founder Valerie Serpa, who died in a small airplane crash in late 2021.
McDonald said the Board of Directors has also stepped up to fill in the gaps.
“We’re trying to bring the community into our facility,” McDonald said.
McDonald said a grant brought in local artist Cody Deegan, who’s teaching art classes for two months to senior citizens. He added the Green Goddess Farmers Market will work with the local food growers to bring in their produce.
Churchill County has been providing annual support to the Churchill Arts Council for more than two decades. During fiscal years 2021 and 2022, the commissioners approved $8,000.