The Art Renaissance Team (ART) is a committee of the Longview Public Service Group, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. ART is dedicated to bringing world-renowned works of art and art experiences to our community for the education and enjoyment of all. We believe artistic experiences elevate and uplift the spirit. Think of Paris, Rome, and Athens and the great works of art that are known and remembered.
We believe public art has the power to transform a community. It is our hope for Longview and Cowlitz County to become a major arts destination in southwest Washington to enhance civic pride and bring economic development and tourism.
Our first project is to bring a permanent collection for our community by world-famous glass-artist and native Washingtonian, Dale Chihuly. Chihuly is recognized as one of the finest visual artists of our century and is especially known for his stunning works in glass the world over.
Chihuly is working with ART for a curated collection for the Longview Public Library. The goal is to have the artwork in place for Longview's centennial in 2023, where it will be gifted to the City. A detailed proposal of the Chihuly art for our community is on dislplay at the Library or at Teague's at 1309 Hudson St. in downtown Longview.
The Longview Public Library is a great location for the Chihuly art collection. It is secure and accessible to everyone in the community. The Longview library is a key hub in the community located near Lower Columbia College as well as local art venues and a few minute's walk from downtown Longview.
Research shows early introduction to the arts develops intellect and curiosity in young minds and improves academic achievement. We have an opportunity to work with schools in the area for arts education with students experiencing world-class art right in our own community. A tie-in with Chihuly might also benefit education in other ways, such as setting up a hot shop to experience the glass blowing process.
Having historically significant art like Chihuly's in our community secures our place in Art History. It will raise the level of self-esteem of our community and enhance the quality of the place, elevating the mindset pople have about Cowlitz County. A Wallace Foundation study revealed that those who participate in the arts and seek artistic venues are seeking a total experience—they spend more money—travelling to a destination, dining out, buying theatre tickets, purchasing from galleries. Plus, it boosts local support for the arts with people staying in town to spend their money and recycling our dollars for enhanced economic base of support as well as attracting tourism dollars—we are easily accessible off I-5 by car or rail and those thow follow Chihuly's art will come here to see it.
All cultures use art as a way to express their values—what’s important to them. Our level of art representation helps to define us. The arts have a lasting significance. They define a culture and what is remembered about it. Think Sydney Opera House, Eiffel Tower, Coliseum, Space Needle, and more. Having Chihuly's historically significant art will help establish us as a community with world-class art, creating iconic pieces that will change and enhance our identity.
Highlights by a national survey on participation in the Arts commissioned by The Wallace Survey of adults 18 and over revealed:
Personal enrichment is key with seven in 10 adults feeling the arts provide benefits in their lives.
Perceived community benefits of the arts are linked to civic pride. More than six of 10 Americans also believe the arts provide a number of community benefits. The highest-rated community benefit is that the arts make a community more attractive. Building community identity and character, making a community more understanding of other people, ideas and cultures, and bringing people together are three other top community benefits of the arts, according to a majority of Americans.
The majority of Americans – 70% – support more arts education in schools. The most popular area for expansion of the arts in communities is in art and music education in local public schools–seven in 10 say more emphasis and funding should be focused on early arts exposure for children.
Early artistic habits become lifelong habits. 3/4 of respondents report enjoying artistic activities as adults that they did as children, including performing in some way, singing, playing a musical instrument, the creative arts such as drawing or painting, or the more passive enjoyment of listening to music.
Americans frequently participate in a number of artistic activities. From listening to music (70% do so frequently) to reading novels, poems, or nonfiction (48%), to sewing and other crafts (24%), drawing, painting, doing pottery (23%), to playing an instrument or performing in some way (19%), Americans are involved in arts and culture. When asked about participation in 12 specific activities, respondents reported frequently engaging in one to three of the 12 (63%), while 25% registered as high participators, doing four or more of the 12 frequently. Only 12% did none of the 12 activities often in the past year.
The public supports local arts funding. Most Americans believe in the value of the arts for individuals and communities with broad support for local funding of the arts. Eight in 10 Americans support local funding, with a third stating the arts are very important to them.
Six in 10 Americans want to see art for everyone to enjoy, music performances, and plays, musicals, and other dramatic works. Five in 10 voice interest in gaining more art museums, galleries, art festivals, and libraries.
The Art Renaissance Team
Retha Porter, ART Committee Chair
Retha works in the field of communications and marketing and actively serves with many local community groups. Retha has a degree in art with a concentration in graphic design. She studied art history in Western Europe and has traveled extensively with the express interest of viewing great works of art and architecture in other cultures. She has a great passion for developing the arts in her local community to enhance quality of life and cultural enrichment for all.
Gerrie Booth, CPA, LPSG Treasurer, ART Committee Board Liaison
Gerrie is a primary partner in the accounting firm Booth Davis & Associates, PLLC. She has more than 40 years of experience in the accounting profession. Gerrie is extremely active in her local community, serving on many community boards. She also participates in numerous community health and civic committees and projects. Gerrie’s dedication to the community has earned her many honors and reflects her belief in giving back to the community.
Wendy Kosloski, ART Committee member
Raised in the state of Washington, Wendy studied art at Collegio Victoria, Mexico City, Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA and the University of WA. An independent business owner since the age of 15, she operated her bricks and mortar store in downtown Longview, Teague’s Interiors, from 1988 to 2023. Wendy continues to pursue her creative passions with custom framing. Wendy also has worked in various mediums of art: figure drawing, intaglio, acrylic, and hand-dyed textiles. In additon to the Chihuly art for the Library, She continues to advocate for art and beauty by encouraging and supporting public art in the community.
Melanie Jechort, governing committee member and ART's liaison with the Longview Public Library. Melanie retired from a fulfilling teaching career at Mark Morris High School. Her degree in music is benefitting others as she shares her talents as part of her church choir, often leading the hymns. She is active in the community in many groups including the Century Club and supporting the Longview Public Library's activities. An avid reader, she is active in book clubs as well as supporting local arts.