Council doing big things in Palmer

Resslin' Around by Casey Ressler

When Artrain USA sets up shop in Palmer, it will be the culmination of the efforts of countless Valley residents and businesses. The Palmer Arts Council is sponsoring the event, and it definitely adds another feather in the cap of the community group that is less than a year old.

While talks had been going on for years about forming an arts council in downtown Palmer, words became action earlier this year. In a short amount of time, the Palmer Arts Council has developed into a group that the entire Valley can be proud of, not just the city of Palmer.

The first major undertaking for the group was the staging of &#8220Proof,” a drama that was dropped from the Valley Performing Arts schedule but quickly picked up the Palmer Arts Council.

In short order, the council renovated the Palmer Depot and turned it into a genuine theater, albeit for less than a month. The production was hailed as a success, and the council was up and running.

&#8220‘Proof' broke us in early, that's for sure,” said president Mimi Pippel. &#8220We learned as we went on ‘Proof.' It was good for us.”

Since then, however, the council hasn't been sitting back and patting itself on the back for a job well done. Instead, it has been working to sponsor community events like concerts and the Palmer Art Museum. The Artrain fits perfectly into the mission of the group.

&#8220It's definitely the biggest project we've done,” Pippel said.

While it's been a big challenge getting the Artrain visit coordinated and planned, the Palmer Arts Council never shied away from the opportunity to bring the traveling museum to Palmer. Valley residents should thank the efforts of the council - comprised entirely of volunteers, by the way - for bringing such a fascinating cultural event to Palmer.

The work isn't done for the council once the Artrain rolls down the tracks, though. The council continues to grow, and is in the process of searching for a volunteer executive director to help lead the council in new directions. It's a great opportunity for someone to give back to the community.

Other community groups could learn a lot from the Palmer Arts Council. The nonpartisan group is wholly dedicated to making the arts scene in Palmer a vibrant one, whether that is through art, theater or music. The council is one group, a sum of the parts, and it works together in a unified voice, for the betterment of the community. Through dedicated volunteers and the belief in a common vision, the group is making a positive change on the ever-growing Valley.

Now is the right time for something like the arts council to take root, establishing a foundation for the future. We've got wonderful cultural things happening, like Valley Performing Arts and a host of museums, but the Palmer Arts Council acts as an umbrella of sorts, overseeing and promoting all types of events.

Make sure you get to the Artrain next week, because it truly is a once-in-a-lifetime

opportunity.

Pippel promises you won't be disappointed, and it's hard not to believer her, given the track record of the Palmer Arts Council.

If you are interested in joining the council, or for more information about the Artrain exhibit rolling into Palmer next week, give Pippel a call at 745-3223.

Casey Ressler (valleylife@frontiersman.com) is the Valley Life editor.