FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Carnegie Art Center Names Recipient of 2009 Community Vision Project Award

Walla Walla, Wash. (July 23, 2009) – The Carnegie Art Center, a Walla Walla-based non-profit in support of the visual arts and art education, has named the City of Walla Walla Parks & Recreation’s Community Visual Art Development Project as the recipient of the 2009 Community Vision Project award. Following a review of proposals from a range of organizations, the board of trustees of the Carnegie Art Center unanimously selected the Community Visual Art Development Project to receive $14,800 in support of the expansion of its children’s art education programs.

In addition, the board of trustees announced that funds from a Winan’s Trust Grant that were bestowed on the Carnegie Art Center will be directed to ongoing support of the Picture Lady Program in conjunction with Walla Walla area schools and Parent-Teacher Associations.

“Today, more than ever, our communities and children can benefit from affordable art education programs that open a world of possibilities and creativity,” said Darcey Fugman-Small, president, Carnegie Art Center board of trustees.

The City’s Parks and Recreation Department is the coordinator of the Community Visual Art Development Project. The Project plans to offer children’s art classes and the City will continue operation of the Pottery Studio, located in the Carnegie Building. The historic Carnegie Building has been owned by the City of Walla Walla since 1905.

“Through the Carnegie Art Center’s support of the Community Visual Art Development Project, we are confident that our community will have sustained access to programs of the highest quality,” continued Fugman-Small. “The Carnegie Art Center is proud to continue its support of art education in greater Walla Walla by awarding our 2009 Community Vision Project award to the Community Visual Art Development Project.”

The Carnegie Art Center, which formerly occupied the Carnegie Building, has recently undergone a transformation following a lengthy assessment of how to serve the community. In December 2008, the board of trustees decided to no longer occupy a physical location and to re-focus the organization to offer the community greater and more diverse resources. Its Community Vision Project award is the first step in this transformation.

The funds for the Community Vision Project award were raised from the auction of furniture and equipment owned by the Carnegie Art Center.

Through 2009 and 2010, the Carnegie Art Center will continue its evaluation of potential opportunities as the organization enters its new phase of community service.

About the Carnegie Art Center Founded in 1971, the Carnegie Art Center is a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization that strives to enable the people of greater Walla Walla to discover, understand and enjoy the visual arts through exhibitions, classes and outreach activities. In 2009, the non-profit re-organized to improve its service to the community and to re-focus efforts on education initiatives that support the changing needs of greater Walla Walla. For more information, please visit http://www.carnegieart.com/.

Media Contact: Suzanne E. Lee

MWW Group for Carnegie Art Center

Phone: (425) 260-8934

Email: slee@mww.com