The day before my last day of employment at the Homer Council on the Arts, I coordinated a workshop funded by the Alaska State Council on the Arts called, "Developing a Youth Media Cadre." It did not take the form in which it had originally been designed. Initially, I envisioned several media artists working directly with a bunch of youth for a few days -- an expansive vision for a pilot project that required necessary building blocks for a sustainable initiative to take hold.

Rather than giving "out the fish," Michael Armstrong, journalist, writer and photographer, facilitated a juicy "train the trainer" work session with highly esteemed local educators Dan Olson and Sean Campbell, media artist Miriam Elizondo and myself.

Before the workshop began, I was a bit disappointed that the original dream did not manifest. Yet, afterward, everyone agreed the folks who "showed up" were the "right" ones at the "right" time to accomplish the goal at hand -- to develop a "youth media cadre," a group of kids mentored by local media artists to present the youth voice to the community through a variety of media forms.

I returned to my office staring at a newspaper article written by Colin McArthur, then a Homer High School sophomore. This article, a thoughtful critical analysis of a culturally sensitive issue published in the Homer News, "Writing on the Wall -- graffiti gives voice, grabs eye" convinced me to apply for the position of executive director of the Homer Council on the Arts. Tears of joy filled my eyes. This was truly blessed synchronicity. An inspiration that seeded my tenure in this position grew and nurtured work that can now pollinate other creative collaborations.

Like most artistic processes, products do not usually turn out the way we hoped. Not only is that OK, I believe that is best. Although I was "restructured" out of my job, I feel honored to have been able to serve the community as the leader of an evolving form. I believe this is probably one of the strongest assets of the Homer Council on the Arts -- an organization committed to connecting and engaging the community through the arts.

While there are way too many people to thank who have helped sow the vision I have tried to manifest, a few deserve to be recognized. Firstly, I would not have had a place to work if not for Mary Epperson, Homer's fertile earth goddess of inspiration. In one precious package, Mary defines the universal expression of what's needed to cultivate creativity in community.

Current and previous board members, Diane Borgman, Lynn Spence and Cherish McCallum, have been steadfast mentors and bulwarks for positive change. Kindred spirit, Rachel Bilbo shined her light whenever needed. Wonderful women co-workers, Mo Wilkinson, Christine Kulcheski and Hannah Baechler were tireless co-creators making it all happen. I have learned much and am so grateful for the friendship developed with my current comrade in arms, Carol Dee.

Lucky, my canine gallery host, my husband, Brian Hirsch, continues to be a loving partner in our life-long commitment to community development and service and of course, our daughters, Aviva and Barae, who always affirm for me the power of creativity.

So much and so many make Homer an ARTrageous place to be. Thank you all.

Hope Finkelstein is the former director of the Homer Council on the Arts.