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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (May 19, 2016)
MAY 19, 2016 // 11 the city’s Tourism and Arts Fund. “I think Billy and Mike were hands-on kind of guys, and I think Get Lit is a hands-on kind of an event where people get to shrink that dis- tance between them and tremendous authors,” Tonry said. “They get to spend a little more time with them.” “And to hear their story — how they started and how they advanced,” added Tracy Abel, board member and organizer of Get Lit. “When they give their presentations, it’s not just a reading, it’s often telling their story, how they started, why they started, where they are today.” MORE TO COME Inspiration continues to thrive among board members and teachers alike, promising an art-fi lled future. More classes are on the horizon, in- cluding possible workshops on sand- castle construction and on performing arts through the Coaster Theatre. It only takes a few people to start a class, noted Childress. “What Billy and Michael were saying was, ‘It’s quality, not quantity. It’s magic in the few.’ Not to say it can’t be many, but it’s a different emphasis.” Board member and Whitebird Gallery owner Allyn Cantor hopes to see more intermingling of residents and artists. “I honestly have a vision of open studio nights — to be able to offer a drop-in space for artists to get togeth- er,” she said. “It doesn’t even have to be a class but a gathering for people to come together. “People think of the galleries here, not the artists so much anymore,” Cantor added. “And I think that’s what the Tolovana Arts Colony is trying to drive home — there are still real artists here, and there are real opportunities to learn art.” A decade to celebrate CANNON BEACH — Ten years ago, the Tolovana Arts Colony began its quest to support local arts in Cannon Beach. Now it’s time to celebrate the past decade. An open house and anniversary party are planned from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 20, in Tolovana Hall, 3779 S. Hemlock St. The hall is across the parking lot from the former Cannon Beach Children’s Center. The celebration — free and open to all — is a combination retrospective, open house and membership drive, said An- drew Tonry, the organization’s program director. Music once performed by the colony’s co-founder, Billy Hults, will be played; memories will be shared by those who knew Hults and Michael Burgess; and art created by artists who have been featured in past art shows will be displayed. Past directors, including Valerie Vines Magee, Maggie Kitson and Lisa Kerr, as well as former board members and former board Chairman Jeff Womack, who was on the board for eight years and continues as a volunteer, also will be acknowledged. The program also calls for perfor- mances by some students, as well as a brief tour of Tolovana Hall, including the newly upgraded kitchen. A membership drive also will be launched, Tonry said. “We’re energized and moving,” he added. “Come join us.” PHOTO BY ANDREW TONRY Terry Brooks at Get Lit PHOTO BY ANDREW TONRY Puttin’ on the Puttz PHOTO BY ANDREW TONRY Tolovana Hall COLLAGE BY ANDREW TONRY Founders’ Party.