2004, the second full year of activity for Heart of the Arts, Inc., proceeded remarkably consistently with HAI’s planning of 2003. HAI’s birth in late 2002 was the product of more than 25 years of arts and cultural involvement on the Palouse from Ballet Folk and Art Train in the early 1970s to the creation of the Moscow Arts Commission in 1978 to the burgeoning of youth, university and community programs in arts and culture through the 1980s and 1990s. Throughout this time, community desires for additional venues, more educational opportunities for all ages, and further innovation in arts organization continued. A multigenerational, multi-use community center was a consistent request to meet these needs. Renovation and restoration of the 1912 Moscow High School into the 1912 Center, owned by the City of Moscow, was a unique opportunity to address the continuing needs of citizens and the arts and cultural communities on the Palouse. The creation of Heart of the Arts, Inc., a private, non-profit Idaho corporation, served to pursue the further development of the 1912 Center to meet the needs for additional regional arts support. HAI was incorporated in November, 2002. By-laws were adopted in February, 2003, and application was made shortly after for tax exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service. HAI received its tax exempt designation from the Internal Revenue Service in December, 2003. HAI has also recognized the desirability and need for a broader group of distinguished people from the area to assist in determining the direction of HAI and advising the corporation about the arts and culture generally. A distinguished group of advisers was assembled in September, 2003, and continues to offer their help and support today. The formal organization of the Advisory Committee provides community outreach and an opportunity to have serious, meaningful involvement from all facets of the regional artistic community. 2004 ACTIVITIES HAI BOARD ACTIVITIES 2004 Annual Board Retreat Board president Linda Pall led a retreat of the Board January 10 to consider direction and projects for 2004 at the home of Pam Peterson. Secretary Evie Adler, Treasurer Jack Porter, Board member Pam Peterson and ex officio member, Duane LeTourneau, chair of the Friends of the 1912 Center, attended. The group drafted HAI’s mission statement: HAI is a private, non-profit Idaho corporation, dedicated to arts education, performance, and community building. HAI works for collaboration 1 in the arts to provide education, exhibition, enrichment and excellence in the Palouse region. In addition, the Board crafted plans for the year and an agenda for the February 7 Advisory Committee meeting. Board Expansion The HAI Board of Directors expanded in March to include Rob Parrish, manager of the Pullman/Moscow Airport, and Julie Monroe, Moscow author. In April, the Board welcomed Nancy Johansen, long-time Moscow political and social activist in the disability community, and Tim Hillebrand, retired archeologist and library activist, of Moscow. Further Board Personnel Changes During the summer, Linda Pall, original incorporator and first President of HAI, resigned to become more involved with the future of the 1912 Center in her capacity as a Moscow City Council member. Evie Adler, HAI secretary, accepted the position of President. Pam Peterson assumed the role of secretary. In September, the Board elected Duane LeTourneau, retired professor of chemistry at the University of Idaho, and Marysue Itani, Pullman developer and long-time arts supporter, as full members of the Board. Linda Pall agreed to serve as an ex-officio Board member. Later in the fall, several Board resignations were regretfully received because of pressing personal commitments: Rob Parrish, Julie Monroe and Marysue Itani. At the end of 2004, the Board roster is as follows: Evie Adler, President Kenton Bird, Vice President Pam Peterson, Secretary Jack Porter, Treasurer Tim Hillebrand Nancy Johansen Duane LeTourneau Linda Pall, ex officio LOSS OF A GREAT AND GOOD FRIEND: ERMA BOYD, 1925-2004 July 7, 2004, HAI and the entire community of Moscow lost a good friend, Erma Boyd. Erma was the recipient in 2003 of HAI’s first “Spirit of Moscow” Award. We have included at the end of this annual report a eulogy given by Board President Linda Pall at Erma’s memorial service. Ray Boyd, Erma’s husband, and the Boyd family designated HAI as a beneficiary of memorial 2 contributions to go toward an installation of a piece of art for the 1912 Center. That fund is presently being accumulated by HAI through the generosity of Erma’s many friends and colleagues. Contributions in Erma’s memory are still being accepted by HAI Treasurer Jack Porter, c/o HAI, PO Box 8656, Moscow, Idaho 83843. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES Advisory Committee Annual Retreat On a snowy Saturday morning with steaming cups of coffee in hand, about 25 hardy souls, all members of the Advisory Committee, discussed the future of the 1912 Center and the role HAI might play in that future. Melynda Huskey facilitated the group conversation. The most popular directions included collaboration with Moscow School District on arts related projects that bring in high school students [a cyber café and art gallery!]; provision of space in the building for lessons, performance, practice, display and studio activities; and provision of space for exhibition and sale of fine art. A popular idea was transforming the Great Room of the 1912 Center into a winter version of Farmer’s Market on selected winter Saturday mornings. The results of the Advisory Committee annual retreat gave HAI Board and Advisory Committee members who are on the Mayor’s Use Committee ideas and direction to assist them in Committee deliberations. The winter market idea became a reality later in 2004. Advisory Committee Reception The September Advisory Committee reception was held at Harley and Nancy Johansen’s home. The reception is a unique opportunity to share hospitality and ideas about the future of the arts and culture on the Palouse. The Johansen home was a perfect site for accomplishing both tasks. The contributions of finger food made the event a gastronomic success in addition. HAI ARTS PRODUCTION IN 2004 Big Band Dance Party on Valentine’s Day HAI greeted Valentine’s Day, February 14, with a Hog Heaven Big Band dance, with the help of Duane LeTourneau and the Friends of the 1912 Center, a HAI subcommittee. Glass artist Heath Anspach displayed and sold his evocative glass hearts in pendant and ring forms. The terrific sounds of the 1940s and the 3 arrangements of the Hog Heaven Big Band led by Patrick Adams pleased HAI aficionados. Plaza Concert Series A new venue at the 1912 Center became an instant hit. Four outdoor summer concerts at the 1912 Center, organized by Linda Pall, were named the “Plaza Concert Series.” The Plaza Concerts took advantage of the marvelous surroundings of the Third Street Plaza and landscaping to spotlight local and national musicians for one hour concerts on four Tuesday evenings during the summer: June 22 University of Idaho Cello Choir July 13 Soloists from Rendezvous in Moscow, including Phillip Wharton, Jennifer Hammon, Sarah Miller, Wendy Tangen-Foster, Christine Swanson Ferenc and Marcella Czfesko, Michael Neville and Bill and Linda Wharton. July 20 Palouse Brass (Jan Simonsen, Jim Kerr, Bob Dickow, Denise Snider, and Ray Wallace) August 24 Dick and Dodie Dozier: Jazz. Each evening had its own magic. The cello choir played the most evocative romantic elegy as the shadows deepened on the Plaza. It was a most welcome encore. The Rendezvous in Moscow soloists attracted many of the “Life on Wheels” guests from the RV conference held each summer at the University of Idaho, in addition to a solid Palouse contingent. July 20, the Palouse Brass played on one of the summer’s hottest nights. Many concert goers were deeply grateful for the Italian lemon drinks provided for sale by Zume and the Mexican soft drinks by Patty’s Kitchen from downtown Moscow. The brass quintet dressed for the occasion in Aloha shirts. The only rain date was August 24 and the Doziers were happy to perform in the Great Room, bringing a ‘Name that Tune’ format from 1912 for audience participation and approval. Local purveyors from the Moscow Farmer’s Market and downtown eateries offered everything from pakoras to lemonade and fruit tarts for guests to enjoy as they took in the music and the Moscow summer night. HAI was extremely grateful to all of the summer musicians who donated all of their services. HAI also appreciated the Farmer’s Market food vendors and downtown merchants who added to the ambiance of the concert series. HAI’s experiment with a new summer venue and related activities was very well received. Winter Market 4 The Winter Market took off like a shot on November 13, 2004, in the Great Room of the 1912 Center. From 10 AM to 2 PM, a steady stream of Saturday shoppers, already nostalgic for the Farmer’s Market, visited the Great Room, appreciating and purchasing everything from baskets to mushrooms to pottery to glass to jewelry to hats to baked goodies to hot coffee, bread and breakfast items. Evie Adler, President, coordinated the event with the assistance of the Board, including a string quartet on the mezzanine. The Winter Market continued in December and will run one Saturday each month through March of 2005. The consensus was that the indoor winter market was a great stop gap until we could return to Friendship Square and warmer temperatures from May though October. THE FUTURE OF THE 1912 CENTER AND GRANTS! The Mayor’s Use Committee The Mayor of Moscow, with the cooperation of the City Council and staff, appointed a multi-member group to solicit further discussion about the future of the 1912 Center and bring solid recommendations back for action to the City Council in the spring of 2005.