The Future of the Creamery Arts Center

The Future of the Creamery Arts Center

 (Submitted by Joanne Tullis – Creamery Arts Center – Hotchkiss)

The gallery at the Creamery Art Center closed in August due to a loss of funding and will remain closed for the winter. Ceramic classes and after-school art classes will continue as scheduled, supervised by David and Suki Strong.

In its first eight years, the Creamery has exhibited and sold the works of talented local and western slope artists, held classes for children and adults, carried art to senior centers and encouraged cultural and agricultural development in the North Fork.  Wonderful, knowledgeable and capable people have put their time, energy and love into the organization and their vision of what it could be.  Their efforts have not been wasted.  We’ve learned what works and what doesn’t, and we’ve concluded that restructuring the organization to fit a different business model will help the Creamery to  achieve solvency and expand its mission of building community through art, education and agricultural outreach.

A new board of directors will begin in September to develop a business plan which provides a more predictable income stream with growth potential, serving the Creamery’s mission in a way that also funds the organization.  Solutions include restructuring the membership, expanding uses of the facility, and providing an internet service which promotes art and agricultural tourism all across western Colorado.

It’s a big dream in a small community, but it has the potential to make a big difference in our town and beyond.  The ‘Re-boot Board’ needs the participation, suggestions and comments of everyone interested in the Creamery’s future.  Send an email to board@creameryartscenter.org, or like, watch, and comment on our Facebook page ( https:/www.facebook.com/pages/The-Creamery-Arts-Center/299537031358).