Art Chowder May | June 2018, Issue 15 | Page 4

From the Publisher Dean Cameron Stronger When We Work as a Team Starting with my love for art, as a collector and interacting with artists through my background in fundraising, I became aware of the need for collective effort in order for a community to really embrace the arts — and for the artists to have resources that help make the community aware of their special talents. My experiences as an early board member for the Spokane Valley Arts Council taught me just how hard many people work to improve the quality of life in our communities — volunteering tremendous amounts of their time and resources for our collective benefit. The Inland Empire has many selfless people working hard to enrich our communities via the numerous organizations you will read about in this issue of Art Chowder. When I am asked to speak at meetings and groups, I try to point out that these organizations want most to help artists. The artists and arts-loving communities are best served when we support arts organizations with our time and resources. If you really want to see a room or venue full of amazing talent and wonderful human beings, go to their auctions and exhibits and art shows. Interact with the arts communities and abandon the TV news and social media dramas. We choose what we fill our minds with. We also set that tone for our children. There is a world of beauty and peace of mind out there. Let’s grab ahold of art and make it a priority in the life of our region and in our homes. Dean Cameron 4 ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE