The SE Oregon Symposium for the Arts & Economic Development May 19-20 in Burns, Oregon is hosted by the Harney County Arts in Education Foundation and the Harney County Chamber of Commerce. It is funded in part by the Oregon Arts Commission.
The Harney County Arts in Education Foundation is very interested in the arts and economic development. They are developing a Performing Arts & Education Center for Harney County. This Symposium is one more step forward in this process as they invite guests to share their success stories regarding arts and economic development in their communities.
Brian Wagner, community development coordinator, from the Oregon Arts Commission will be the convener for the event. They are hosting Buck Johnston from Marfa, Texas (their story aired on 60 minutes), Rob Dailey, executive director of Chehalem Cultural Center, Cinda Holt, business development specialist from the Montana Arts Council and Harney County architect, Don Stastny.
“Cinda is excellent at business development and successfully led the capital campaign to build the multi-million dollar Missoula Children’s Theatre/MCT Center for the Performing Arts auditorium project,” explained Debby Peckham, founding advisor for the Harney County Arts in Education Foundation.
The Symposium will include the annual ‘Evening to Celebrate the Arts’ which this year will showcase talented youth in recital, dance and art display.
“Our young musicians are all OSAA State Soloists and/or Sunriver Scholarship Recipients,” adds Peckham. Jean Shrader from Redmond will be accompany them. The Steens Mountain Ballet Troupe will be performing and the newest professional musician, Megan Kartchner, will perform on her grand concert harp.
“We are looking towards an amazing evening,” added Peckham. “Students from Burns and Crane High Schools will host an art show at the reception following the concert. A special community art project, an artisan tree,designed by Harney County Artist, Connie Robbins, will honor the Symposium and the gathering of wider community. Everyone is encouraged to design a leaf for the tree.”
Debby Peckham
Founding Advisor
Harney County Arts in Education Foundation
clarinetmuse@gmail.com
541-573-2427