Annual Report                  Terri Axness

Crossroads Art Center continues its mission to create opportunities for the entire community to be engaged, inspired, and transformed by the arts through participation in classes, workshops, exhibits, mentorships, and partnerships—to be a welcoming place where people meet and the arts speak.

We would like to welcome Alyssa Peterson as our new director. Alyssa began work in September and is involved in every aspect of Crossroads and its programs.

Construction on the Carnegie is progressing well and soon Crossroads will be welcoming the community in its new home at the Carnegie Building on Auburn. A committee chaired by Kathleen Chaves is planning the grand opening to be held in April.

The board has worked to revise, improve and expand Crossroads as a business. With the help of many dedicated volunteers, business hours have been extended and Crossroads’ success has allowed us to expand its staff. In addition to hiring a new director and making the position full time, the board also welcomes Sherrie Shepherd as our bookkeeper, and Brain Vegter and Kellie Trone to help with the many tasks Crossroads faces as we prepare to move. The additional staff will allow Crossroads to meet its goal to streamline procedures, complete the move to the Carnegie, develop new programs and market the new location.

The board and Crossroads’ staff are working to create new systems and data bases to provide better and more efficient services to our artists, students, and members. This includes updating all records for our artists and members. The membership drive will be complete in December 2007 for membership for 2008. Memberships are a major source of revenue for Crossroads and we sincerely appreciate all new and renewing members. Your support of Crossroads and its programs does make a difference.

The board met for a retreat in March to brainstorm and plan for the future of Crossroads. Advisory Committees/Work Groups for staffing, new program development, gallery/gift shop, marketing/outreach, and development/resourcing were formed. Some of these committees are meeting and many more will begin in the new year to meet the demands of programs for the new facility. Crossroads exists because of the many members and volunteers who are willing to participate. Please consider joining one of these committees to help determine our future.

The Gallery Committee continues to welcome new artists to the gallery and are doing an exceptional job of presenting and marketing the artists we represent.

Sales have been strong and the board, staff, and gallery committee are looking forward to “lengthening Main Street” to maintain the presence of Crossroads as we make the move to the new location.

First Friday and Special Events continue to be well attended by the community and are great successes. First Friday with Marlis Rufener, Marci Cook, Mary Sue Rightmire, Julee Hicks, Gail Macnab, Lavonne Kasper, and Larry Davidson have been wonderful shows. The September “Art at the Crossroads” open show chaired by Kathy Blank featured outstanding work by local artists

The Artist Open Studio Tours offered the community the opportunity to visit individual artist’s studios and the feedback to both Crossroads and the participating artist’s are very positive. The December Christmas Faire featured booths with local artist’s work for gifts. Crossroads also participated in the Christmas festivities with a Make-It-and-Take-It Day for parents and children to have the opportunity to make a variety of Christmas projects.

Classes at Crossroads continue to offer our community a variety of opportunities including several different kinds of dance, yoga, fencing and painting and drawing. We are always on the search for new classes and instructors for classes the community would like to see included at Crossroads. Let us know if you would like a specific class or would like to teach a class.

As we move into the coming year, we face many challenges: the move to the Carnegie Building, expanding programs, maintaining and utilizing the new space to its fullest, and generating revenue to meet the increased demand for programs and facilities. Join us by participating on a committee, volunteering at Crossroads, or enjoying the programs Crossroads offer. Together, we can make a difference for the arts in our community. ART IS FOR EVERYONE!

Sincerely,

Terri Axness, Board Chair

        Violet Clay

                             An active Artist and Crossroads’ member

Instructors Beat                   Debbie Friedman

ArtSpeak classes began in early October and have been running almost every school day since.

ArtSpeak has been offering on-site after school classes in the creative and performing arts since 1985. Our classes have been available free of charge, to students in the middle and elementary schools.

Through this program, we offer a way for impoverished, underserved, at-risk, and behaviorally challenged students to succeed and to show a positive face to the community.

As long as ArtSpeak remains available to them the children return year after year. This program is as much about positive mentoring as it is about exploring creative techniques.

Our primary focus is the development of self-expression and self-esteem. Working with the children in the Art Speak program is very rewarding. The gifts that artists are able to provide the children are unique and long-lasting.

If you are interested in making a difference in a child’s life, we are always looking for more teachers.

Next time you are in Crossroads ask about the ArtSpeak brochure or call Crossroads at 523-5369 for more information on how you can become a part of the ArtSpeak program.

Featured Artists

January: Jumping Jacks Opens Friday, January 4th at 6pm Crossroads will host the art of Jumping Jacks Preschool. This yearly event is a fun way to begin the new year. Come and see the Preschoolers take on the impressionist Monet, Fauves Matisse, Klimt’s Art Nouveau and De Stijil of Mondrian.	February:   John Denne Opens Friday, February 1st at 6pm John Denne focuses his efforts at recreating the prehistoric pottery traditions of the American Southwest and experimentation with pottery styles and designs of additional ceramic traditions and techniques. John shares his knowledge and skill with you this February.	March: Student Show Opens Friday March 7th at 6pm This show is a wonderful way to view the emerging art of Baker High School students. This exhibit showcases artwork done in the classroom throughout the year. Come and be inspired by a new prospective or technique used by these students in their work.

---

Members Making a Difference       Brian Vegter

Sonja Lambeth

Making a Difference

Sonja Lambeth is the volunteer that helps keep First Friday gallery goers fed. The work she does keeps our tables stocked on opening night every month.

Her full time job is at the front desk of Hill’s Family Dentistry here in Baker City, but at Crossroads she’s busy behind the scenes. Sonja buys supplies for the parties, makes the punch, puts the food out, keeps it stocked, and then puts it all away at the end of the night.

Her husband, Larry, and their love of walking is what brought her to Crossroads in the first place. Sonja talked of how they would be out walking on First Fridays, and Larry always wanted to come in and see what was going on. She on the other hand felt she wasn’t dressed right for the affair. But after months of putting it off she was finally convinced to come in on an opening night. Her life and ours here at Crossroads will never be the same.

That’s one of the things she feels people need to know about Crossroads, is how much fun First Fridays are. She loves meeting and getting to know the many artists who’s works show in the gallery.

Sonja is a fan of pottery and likes art that makes her go “Wow!” She claims she’s not an artist, but when interviewed she was doodling. So maybe she is an artist, but just doesn’t realize it yet.

Next time you come to First Friday, look for Sonja, and ask her how much fun it is to volunteer.

PLAY CLAY

Director’s Message Alyssa Peterson

Membership drive 2008

You have more than likely already renewed your membership for 2008 or will be doing so soon. Your membership for 2008 starts this January and ends next December.

If you are unsure of your membership status please check the list below of our current 2008 members.

If your name is not on the list for 2008 and you know you have renewed please call (541) 523-5369 to correct the error. If you do not plan on renewing for 2008 this will be your last newsletter.

Our next membership drive for current members will start in October 2008 for 2009 membership.

Crossroads will be conducting a membership drive to recruit new members in the spring. I will keep you updated on how you can help increase membership numbers.

Your help will support the Art Center to grow and continue to provide the community with the valued programs, classes and exhibits you want.

If you have questions concerning your membership status or would like to renew please call Crossroads at (541)523-5369.

CURRENT CROSSROADS MEMBERS FOR 2008
AS OF 12-31-07