by Kirby Lindsay
Originally, this column was published in the North Seattle Herald-Outlook on May 3, 2006.
Stretching my memory, I can recall discussions eight years ago about hiring staff for the Fremont Arts Council (FAC). Current FAC Board President, Josh Okrent, says they’ve debated it “probably since before that. It is a long recognized need.”
Josh estimated that nearly 500 people participate in the numerous events and programs of the FAC: “It is a testament to the strength of our volunteers that the organization accomplishes what it does.”
In mid-February of this year, the FAC welcomed their first full-time operations manager.
“I was blown away by the quality of the applicants,” Josh said of the 25 people they considered.
Don Hudgins, a familiar face in the Seattle arts community, made top of the list for many reasons but Josh liked his extensive experience working with volunteers.
The Value Of Volunteers
Volunteers keep the FAC active.
“Participation was increasing while membership was decreasing,” Josh explained, so even before Don came on-board, the group changed its membership policies.
“We want to build value into membership,” through regular newsletters, artistic licenses (membership cards) and offering the Winter Feast as a membership celebration. These shifts, in membership and staffing, “are all related,” Josh explained.
“We’re trying to make ourselves into a more professionally run organization – more effective and consistent,” Josh said, “We just wanted someone to be there to answer the phone.”
They also want to be accessible, he said, “We say yes to most of the people that ask us,” to borrow props or supplies. “No one was there to say yes.”
More FAC Events
Don’s composed manner can distract one from the staggering ambitiousness of his goals for the FAC.
In general, he intends to build on their education mission and do outreach.
In specific, he wants to do more projects with B.F. Day Elementary School, provide more opportunities for art within the FAC, and more occasions for people to drop in for more classes, including classes for kids.
Don will help facilitate public art projects like SPACE in Fremont. The FAC believes Fremont is a “state of mind,” not a piece of earth and that means outreach throughout the region.
Don actually enjoys fundraising, and that’s a good thing since his position is now only partially funded. He hopes to facilitate more FAC events and to strengthen FAC’s ties to the business community, “to be their conscience and to indulge their creativity.”
The FAC is “an asset to Fremont, and the City” Don explains, and he’s “amazed by the diversity and depth of the talent involved.”
A Wealth Of Experiences
He speaks from wide experience.
Don arrived in Seattle nine years ago to work with Dale Chihuly, and then went on to CoCA, a visual arts organization, as its executive director.
On his own, Don started Sedrat Arts, a non-profit support organization for artists which he’ll operate in addition to his new job with the FAC.
“One thing I really like,” Don said about making art in Seattle, “we have an accommodating and friendly City government. Forgiving…”
Don knows something about politics, and art. Originally from the East Coast, Don attended art school in Chicago.
While he misses it, and the great art institutions there, “I never would have had the opportunities there that I’ve had here,” Don admitted. “You would never have something like the Solstice Parade in Chicago. There are too many vested interests, and too many political agendas.”
In addition to his work as operations manager, Don agreed to be director for the 2006 Solstice Parade. The theme (“Fear-Free Fremont: Unlocked, Uncaged & Unhinged”) “is inspired a lot by the political climate and about how we’re not going to let it get us down. If we live our lives in fear, the bad guys win.”
Parade rules – no printed words, no motor vehicles, no live animals, and no real guns or weapons – keep the event safe, and balanced.
“The strength of the event is in how it pushes the audience to think,” Don mused about how the lack of words inspires ensembles and float builders to creatively to convey their ideas.
A Treasure Hunt
The FAC welcomes parade spectators to participate in a Treasure Hunt leading up this year’s event.
Read a poem of clues in the FAC newsletter, SOL, to find sites of other clues posted around Fremont. Follow clues to find the treasure – a key to free prisoners during this year’s Parade.
Those who hunt early and find the treasure can enter a drawing for a seat on the Parade grandstand.
If you are interested in joining the merriment and activity swirling about the Powerhouse and the FAC, or simply want to witness Don’s calm presence at the center of it, stop by.
The Powerhouse, at 3940 Fremont Avenue North, will be open Wed – Sat from 1 – 6 p.m. Copies of SOL, and clues to the Treasure Hunt, will be available there.
If you can’t drop in, find information on the Fremont Arts Council website, or call 206/547-7440.
If you’ve always wanted to see how the parade happens, this may be the best year ever to get involved!
Related Articles
- Four Faces Of Fremont
- by Kirby Lindsay, July 14, 2008 in the North Seattle Herald-Outlook
- How To Build A Solstice Parade
- by Kirby Lindsay, May 16, 2011
©2011 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.