Homer Alaska - Letters

Homer Council on the Arts would like to thank the Homer Foundation and the various donors who so generously support the arts and culture in Homer, specifically the Jessica Stevens Memorial, Ashley J. Logan and Daisy Lee Bitter funds.

Homer Council on the Arts offers a variety of art opportunities year round. These funds will support, in part, five different programs for youth and adults of all ages in the visual, performing and literary arts.

The Youth Musical Theater program will meet for 12 weeks after school February through May at HCOA, in collaboration with Pier One, culminating with the production of "Annie" at HCOA and Pier One in May 2012. The Youth Spring Break (March 12-18) Art and Nature Workshop will be a collaboration with the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies. During the summer of 2012, HCOA will offer six weeks of various art classes for youth.

Creative Communities are weekly and bi-weekly adult gatherings in the HCOA gallery providing a time and place in which to support the creative process in a variety of art forms. The Creative Communities are Writers Refuge, Theater Works, Tuesdays Salon, Musicians' Roundtable and Art City Sings.

The 20th Kenai Peninsula Writers Contest is open to Kenai Peninsula Borough residents of all ages to submit unpublished, original work. Winners win a cash prize, and are given the opportunity to read their winning piece in a public venue. Deadline for submissions this year is Nov. 30. Details for all of these programs are available at www.homerart.org.

Funding the arts truly supports the health and vitality of our community. Research has proven that participation in the arts improves the development of our children emotionally, scholastically and socially. A community that offers art and culture attracts visitors, as well as those who are seeking residence. Thank you to the Homer Foundation for facilitating the generous donations of their funders, keeping our community a wonderful place to live and raise our children.

Gail Edgerly, executive director

Homer Council on the Arts