In 2017, the Camano Arts Associate (CAA) developed a three-year strategic plan to move forward its vision to make the Stanwood-Camano area a center and destination for art in the Northwest. “We had dreams for the future, but they seemed impossible,” says Jason Dorsey who chaired the CAA board at that time. One of those dreams was to build a partnership between the artists and art organizations in our region, with civic and business institutions. “A grassroots group of us began to meet to build this partnership to promote our region of artists and to build community by art,” Jason says. This group eventually was formed as SCAAC, the Stanwood Camano Art Advocacy Commission.
A second impossible dream was a building. We dreamed of a building to be a hub for art and artists in our region. This dream seemed unreachable until a generous patron donated a building in Stawood’s historic west end and a significant gift of money for a new building and for operation costs. “This gift empowered us to be able to hire an executive director and other staff to carry out our mission to ‘build community by art’ and build strategic partnerships,” Jason says. Having a full-time Executive Director was another impossible dream that came true.
Now SCAAC is in the middle of a Capital Campaign to raise 13 Million dollars to build the future Meyer Art Center. “We are over half way to our goal,” Jason says. When we hit 75% of our goal we can pull permits and get started with the building. What seems like another impossible dream is inching towards become a reality, through donors who have stepped up in big ways to contribute. One of those major gifts came from Clay and Susan Cohen Thompson. “I never dreamed of an artist, or artist couple, making a major donation,” Jason says. “I am deeply moved and encouraged by Clay and Susan’s gift.”
Sunnyshore Studio sat down with Susan to ask her about their gift.
Sunnyshore Studio: What moved you and Clay to make such a significant gift to the Meyer Art Center?
Susan Cohen Thompson: Clay and I wanted to make an important gift to the arts in our community. The opportunity to be part of creating the art center is aligned with this vision. We want our gift to be a lasting contribution that will serve a broad spectrum of creative people into the future. Our hope is that the center will excite, engage and attract professional artists as well as students into our community while stimulating
creativity in the region at all levels of engagement.
We were attracted to the SCAAC because of their focus of “arts advocacy” which was apparent even in the early days as they paid professional artists to create works for the community and how they engaged art teachers and students.
Sunnyshore Studio: What do you hope the Meyer Art Center will be for artists and the community?
Susan Cohen Thompson: We see the Meyer Art Center as a warm and welcoming place for gathering together, celebrating and encouraging a range of creative explorations for our artists and the larger community. With generous support from our neighbors, we have an amazing opportunity to create positively exciting
projects together. We hope it will become a catalyst for other art-related spaces within and around Stanwood.
Sunnyshore Studio: What are some of the key features of the art center for you and Clay?
Susan Cohen Thompson: Key Features of Art Center for us are:
- Welcoming places for artists to share their work
- Lifting up and encouraging creativity for all modalities of art
- Has art making spaces either within the Center or close by
- Engages the professional artists we are blessed with
- Blossoming creativity in the region as a whole
Sunnyshore Studio: What would thrill your heart about the use of the room that will be named after you?
Susan Cohen Thompson: We love the idea of a gathering place to engage in meaningful dialogues that enhance creativity for professional artists and those interested in exploring their intuitive side. A room to imagine and plan future exhibitions. A place for poets to share their work. A place for writers to go to read their latest works to each other. Conversations that stimulate creative understanding. Working together, a room that radiates synergy. Creating dreams together.
My artwork is about relationships and communication within nature. I would love to gift a piece of my art for the room.