ABOUT COLUMBIA ART GALLERY

THE HISTORY OF THE GALLERY

1971: HR Valley Arts and Crafts Society formed by weavers and others who wanted space for their looms and pottery wheels. The focus was art classes in these media as well as painting, etc. An upstairs suite of run-down rooms was rented on Oak St. One room in the suite was a small gallery featuring members' work. Operations were moved to the space above Franz Hardware, and the large first room in the suite was the "Apple Bin" gallery. More work was displayed for sale here. Volunteers were scheduled to have open hours for the gallery.

1975: Columbia Art Gallery was established in part of the space now occupied by the Wine Sellers. There was no space for classes so they were taught in local school buildings. Susan Hamada developed the idea for the gallery as a Masters thesis, and was paid a stipend as the first gallery director. Volunteerism continued.

1979: moved to second floor of building at corner of Oak and 4th (Paris Fair Bldg); with weavers looms on site. Part time directors were hired.

1982? : Bobby Rosemont died, leaving HRVACS $10,000 to be spent on permanent gallery within 5 years or lose it.

1985: Independently, the Columbia Gorge Arts Council was founded (8/26/85) in Washington state. Served the Oregon Arts Commission by administering the Arts-in-Education program in Oregon, and the equivilant program in Washington. They served Skamania, Klickitat, Sherman, Wasco, Hood River and Multnomah east of Sandy River

1986: Columbia Art Gallery moved to street level on Oak St across from the Hood River Hotel.

1987: City agreed to a 10yr lease at $1/year for the 2nd St. site. In exchange for the low rent, HRVACS was to spend $40,000 on improvements within the next three year period. It was accomplished in one year. Bobby Rosemont's heirs approved of the disbursement of the bequest based on the lease agreement.

1989: name of org changed to Columbia Arts Assoc -- more regional focus. Took over administration of the the Arts in Education program from the CGAC. Increased director's hours to full time, hired 1/2 time Arts in Education director.

1990: proposed merger with the CGAC, because they needed a facility and a paid director to become a regional arts council and get more funds, from both OR and WA. It would have been the first bi-state arts council in USA; publish "Events in the Gorge" calendar; be the granting agency for regional arts groups, sponsor cultural events (exhibitions and performances)

1991: merger and name changed to Columbia Gorge Regional Arts Association, which is our present name. The new organization never succeeded in fullfilling the requirements to become a Regional Arts Council.

Present: click to go to Columbia Center for the Arts Update