ArtSpring Salutes its Volunteers
The ArtSpring Board of Directors hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Reception on April 15th. The reception was packaged together with the performance An Evening of Wonders with illusionist Vitaly. ArtSpring’s loyal volunteer contingent numbers well over 150 people who devote over 6,000 hours of their time to ArtSpring every year.
The list of tasks is a long one. Volunteers staff the box office, provide technical support in the theatre, and act as ushers and duty managers. A volunteer oversaw the $120,000 project to put a new roof on the building last year. Some 100 volunteers turn out every year to have fun pulling together our Treasure Fair, and raise $50,000 doing it. Community members decorate ArtSpring for the Christmas season, and restore order one month later! Redecoration of the kitchen, the committee room and the galleries, and renovation and painting of the dressing rooms has all been tackled by volunteers – not to mention re-upholstering the lobby furniture. Every summer, generous billeters house visiting performers and Chamber Music Festival students. ArtSpring volunteers are a multi-talented group.
Three special volunteers were recognized on April 15th: Bob Fenske for his exceptional contributions working as a duty manager while training others to assume the task; and Deb and Jeff Bee for their long-time support of ArtSpring’s annual Treasure Fair. Bob, Deb and Jeff received gift boxes from Seachange and complimentary tickets to a future performance.
Volunteer of the Year recipient Bob Feske at the podium. Deb and Jeff Bee also received the Volunteer of the Year award. (Photo by David Borrowman)
The board also decided for the first time to award Lifetime Honorary Memberships in the ArtSpring Society. In recognition of and in gratitude for their many years of service and support to ArtSpring, the Island Arts Centre Society presented Lifetime Honorary Membership certificates to Victoria Olchowecki and Joan Farlinger. At a critical juncture in the society’s history, Victoria served for three years as President, while Joan served for eight years on the board. Both were instrumental in the inception of ArtSpring as a performing arts centre.
Donald McLennan, President
Island Arts Centre Society
April 24, 2015
Lifetime Honorary Membership recipient Victoria Olchowecki. (Photo by David Borrowman)
Lifetime Honorary Membership recipient Joan Farlinger. (Photo by David Borrowman)