— By Linda Kor
Members of the Holbrook Regional Arts Alliance (HRAA) met on Aug. 30 to select officers and discuss the structuring of the newly formed organization. Although the group is centralized in Holbrook, the alliance hopes to include residents from all areas in the region willing to participate, including Joseph City, Sun Valley and Woodruff.
Kyle Gardner, who was elected president of the organization, introduced the concept of an arts alliance as a method of creating community involvement in the arts. Also elected to office were Teri Walker as vice president, Chris Olthouse as treasurer, Judy Pack as community relations/marketing director and Loni Hatch as director of programming.
The objective of the alliance is to promote all aspects of the arts, whether that entails bringing events to the area or encouraging residents to take part in community programs. The list includes considerations for music, dance and performing arts, as well as visual arts. “We want this to be a truly regional alliance, something that everyone in the area can participate in,” stated Gardner.
The events will include groups and individuals from outside of the area who will perform at the Holbrook and Joseph City auditoriums, parks or events, but the greater interest is to encourage residents of all ages to take part in the creative process by participating in the productions.
“Our experiences with the arts shouldn’t end with performances in high school or college. We want to provide an opportunity for adults and children in the area to have a lifelong interaction with the arts,” stated Walker.
The alliance is looking toward becoming a non-profit organization and will consist of an executive board of five members, with the possibility of expanding the board to include committee leaders. The group is also considering how to structure membership to the alliance, season pass purchases and individual event prices.
Already on the calendar is a performance by Living Legends, a Brigham Young University dance group that will be performing dances from Native American cultures, as well as Polynesian and Latin American dances. That event will be co-sponsored by the alliance, and is scheduled on Saturday, Nov. 19, at the George Gardner Performing Arts Center in Holbrook.
Also on the horizon is the development of a community band and choirs, as well as an art walk or art in the park programs.
More opportunities for participating in HRAA will be announced once the group has completed the organizational process. For more information, contact Teri Walker at teri@truenorthcomm.com.
