On April 17th, Class XXVII embraced their creativity during the Arts and Culture session day!

The objective of the Arts and Culture Session is for the current class to learn from local arts leaders in the community, and to ask questions about the growth of arts and culture in the Tri-Cities.

Thank you to our:

1. Lunch Day Sponsor:  Arts Center Task Force
2. Session Location Host: The Academy of Children’s Theatre

We would also like to thank the Session Director, Anne Spilman (Class XXII) and Session Director -Shadow, Janice McIntyre (Class XXIII), for organizing the agenda. 

The Agenda

The session included the following panels and presenters:  

• Community Arts Leaders in Government and Business – presented by:
  • Justin Raffa (Class XIX), Artistic Director of the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers and a Board Commissioner for ArtsWa
  • Alora Stegall, Promotion Committee Chair, Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership
  • Jet Richardson (Class XXVII), Chair of Richland Arts Commission 
• Social Media and AI – presented by Elizabeth Barnes, Chief of Staff with Christensen, Inc.
• Instruments, Singing & Theatre & Youth Arts Education Panel - presented by:
  • Adrienne Fletcher (Class XXVII), Mid-Columbia Youth Orchestras
  • Josh Darby, Artistic Director with Academy of Children’s Theater
  • Stephanie Steele, pianist
• Literary Panel – presented by:
  • Kyle Cox (Class XV), Executive Director with Mid-Columbia Libraries
  • Amanda Divine, Adventures Underground
• Culinary Arts – presented by Angela Kora, Ethos bakery
• Arts Center Task Force | Lunch Sponsor – presented by Amber Maiden, Arts Center Task Force
• Self Portraits – presented by Janice McIntyre (Class XXIII), Arts & Culture Session Day Shadow
• Live Music & Venues – presented by:
  • Dara Quinn, Emerald of Siam
  • Jeff Peterson, Musician
• Visual Art Panel – presented by:
  • Bob Allen, Gallery at the Park
  • Cameron Milton, artist
• Ballet Performance and Performing Arts Q&A – presented by:
  • Students of Mid-Columbia Ballet
  • Debra Rogo, Artistic Director with Mid-Columbia Ballet