Dry Canyon Arts Association Makes $40,000 Donation Towards Art Education in Redmond Schools

Redmond, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Dry Canyon Arts Association presented a $40,000 donation to the Redmond School District's JumpStart Art Program during a check presentation Tuesday, Sept. 29, at Terrebonne Community School.

This marks the third consecutive year the arts organization has funded the JumpStart program. Through the initiative, a local artist serves as an Artist in Residence at a district elementary school, giving kindergarten through fifth-grade students hands-on opportunities to learn creative processes and techniques from a professional artist.

The donation ceremony took place in front of a school mural created during the previous school year. Artist in Residence Judy Rosenthal led students in grades three through five in completing the project.

Linda Seeberg, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning for the Redmond School District, highlighted the importance of arts programming in public education. “Education is more than just reading, writing and arithmetic. It is also those enriching experiences that may spark an interest for a student and lead to a lifetime of opportunity,” Seeberg said. Seeberg added that community partnerships are vital to maintaining these programs. “We are so grateful for the Dry Canyon Arts Association and the work they continue to do to find ways to keep this partnership going,” Seeberg said. “We hope this partnership continues for many years to come and perhaps even expands to other levels. This is truly a great gift to our students and our community and we thank them for their continued support.”

Beyond its direct financial contribution, the organization raises additional funds for JumpStart across all district elementary schools through art raffles held during its events. Members donate original artwork for each show, with approximately 60 pieces donated per event ahead of a Sunday afternoon raffle drawing.

Fundraising from recent raffles includes approximately $4,000 from last spring's event and nearly $5,000 from the fall show last year. Association organizers aim to surpass those totals at upcoming events to fund art education across the district.

The Dry Canyon Arts Association will host its annual Fall Art Show & Sale on Nov. 14 and 15 at Obsidian Middle School. The event will feature a community art raffle with member-donated artwork, with all proceeds directly funding the JumpStart Art Program.