By Bobbi Mlynar
mlynar@emporiagazette.com
Members of the Emporia Arts Council re-elected officers and handed out awards Thursday evening during the organization’s annual meeting. The meeting is expected to be the last one held at the council’s current location at 618 Mechanic St.
Next year’s annual meeting should be in EAC’s new two-story building adjacent to the Granada Theatre in the 700 block of Commercial Street.
EAC Executive Director Melissa Windsor said that approximately 75 people attended Thursday night’s meeting.
“It was a really good turnout for an annual meeting,” Windsor said. “We also do it as a donor appreciation evening. It’s an opportunity for our board of directors and the staff here at the center to give back to the people who really make things possible.”
The board gave special awards to Roy Gallup, Emporia High School and Dan Ferrell during a ceremony after the meal.
Gallup was recognized as Star Volunteer of the Year. He’d offered to help the council after he retired from Emporia State University.
“One of the things about Roy is we can always count on him,” Windsor said. “He has been so reliable and really has jumped right in.”
Gallup has a leadership role at the Grand Night at the Races fundraising event, and volunteers at all of the arts council’s performances, Windsor said.
EHS received the Star Business Award for all the school provides to the community on an ongoing basis.
“We selected them for the support they’ve given us through the years for the Missoula Children’s Theater,” Windsor said.
Everyone from administrators to custodial staff to students for the past 10 years of Missoula participation has cooperated to make the event a successful one for the children involved and the public as well.
“(They) just go above and beyond to make sure we have everything,” Windsor said.
“I think people sometimes forget that Emporia High School is really an extension of our community. They have so many things going on in the evenings.”
In spite of EHS’ being a hub of athletic and community events on an almost-nightly basis, Windsor said, she was grateful the district accommodated EAC needs, too.
“We really wanted to let them know how thankful we are that we have that opportunity and the space,” she said.
Ferrell received the Star Artist of the Year award.
Ferrell, a graphic artist at The Gazette, contributes his artistic talents to the EAC.
“He has just really been a burst of energy at the arts center, as far as creativity and what we have going on here,” she said.
Ferrell designed a new EAC logo, which was unveiled officially during the annual meeting, though Windsor said the council already has been using it on T-shirts this summer.
“He’s helping us design other materials,” she said.
Officers re-elected are: Kim Redeker, president; Betty Senn, president-elect; Dan Robertson, treasurer; Kevin Rabas, secretary; and Mel Storm, immediate past president.
The officers comprise the executive committee of the EAC.