A fresh start for art

COLUMBIA BASIN — The new executive director of a Columbia Basin organization hopes to reach out to smaller areas otherwise deprived of the arts.

"The arts are pretty much out of our schools anymore; they're very hard to find in school," Randy Johnstad said. "Funding for the arts is completely necessary."

Schools operate under a "STEM" curriculum, Johnstad said, emphasizing science, technology, engineering and mathematics. He would like to add an "A" for the arts, resulting in "STEAM."

One way to do that would be to bring in a show about Albert Einstein or gravity, presenting science through art, he said.

Johnstad assumed the executive director position March 21. He replaces LeAnn Pauley, who departed earlier this year to spend more time with her grandson and pursue her artistic endeavors.

"What appealed to me about it was their goal, to bring all the arts to all the people," Johnstad said. "There's no better goal, and so many children in our area are at risk, not because of their family income, just because of the cultural vacuum we have here unless you're going constantly to Seattle, Spokane or a big city to see things, and most people just don't do that. We've got to bring the arts to the people.

The position is part time.

Johnstad hopes to expand the organization's outreach program in order to bring children's theater productions or art displays to such communities as Quincy, Wilson Creek, Othello and Hartline.

"We need to develop our children's exposure to the arts," Johnstad said. "TV isn't everything."

Johnstad moved into the Basin in about 2005, working as technical and facilities director of Masquers Theater in Soap Lake, where he directed the children's play "Land of the Dragon," and worked on a number of sets for a variety of plays.

He lived in Wilson Creek after falling in love with the area during visits with his brother, and is in the process of moving to Marlin.

"Everyone is so receptive, they're just happy to be shown new stuff," he said.

Prior to making the move, Johnstad produced television commercials in the Seattle market for more than 25 years, and also worked for a mascot company, performing for the Seattle Sonics and as various "Sesame Street" characters, among others, at personal appearances. One of his degrees is in children's theater.

The season concludes with contemporary traditional Celtic musical group Craicmore April 26.

Next year marks the organization's 30th anniversary. Johnstad said he and the organization are excited about the opportunity for a fresh start.

"We are able now with this change to re-evaluate every piece and part of our organization," he said. "Everything we do, and that's really exciting. We're looking at a really good season for next year. We've got some pretty big things that will be really remarkable for the area."

References to the organization may go from Columbia Basin Allied Arts to basinarts.org, Johnstad said, in effort to solidify its identity.

"When I had my interview for the job, I collected from all the sources I could find all the different ways I heard (references to the organization)," he said. "I heard CBAA, I heard Columbia Basin Allied Arts, Allied Arts, Columbia Basin Arts, CB Double-A … The most important thing to us is our Web page, which is how we get information out to people. So we're advertising as basinarts.org, but we'll never drop the Columbia Basin Allied Arts."

The organization may also expand its Missoula Children's Theatre involvement to two performances a year, and has revamped its Web site at www.basinarts.org. Johnstad foresees doing a Web calendar, podcasts, movies and pictures of past performances.

"We're hoping to deliver excitement about the coming seasons," he said. "We're going to be going out, hitting the road and finding corporate sponsors who understand how this helps them and their business."

Johnstad would like to expand the organization's membership and corporate sponsorship, and hopes to have some input into an upcoming interior repaint at Big Bend Community College's Wallenstien Theater.

"We want to continue our liaison with all of the arts groups in the area, and make sure everyone's in touch with everybody so we can help spread the word," he said.

For more information, access the Web site at www.basinarts.org or call 509-793-2059.