Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Howell.
Hi Karen, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always been drawn to live music. Art interests me although I can’t draw a straight line. I was invited by the current president of Evansville Arts Coalition and close friend to accept vice president of the board of directors. Little did I know she planned to retire the next year! She was still in the area to provide help. Resources for artists and musicians were at my fingertips. I plunged right in with the board’s help and took over. We had been in Evansville for 1 year.
My experience included 42 years with the Postal Service, ending in Human Resources at Postal Headquarters. I served as president of Business and Professional Women at the local organization level, and then as Secretary, Vice President and President of Minnesota Business and Professional Women. I had knowledge and ability but needed to learn the in’s and out’s of the art world and music. AND the intricacies of maintaining a facility built in 1913.
The music features began with Open Mic Music once a month. There were an amazing number of wonderful musicians practicing away in the basement and now they had a place to perform. After about a year, a few of them wanted to do a concert–First Friday Concerts were born.
Much the same with the artists–painters, sculptors, carvers, ceramicists, photographers, and fabric artists were all looking for a place to display their efforts. We instituted monthly exhibits, upgraded the old fluorescent lighting with gallery lights. Over the 16 years that I have been involved, the gallery has grown in reputation and attendance.
All of this would not be possible but for the Legacy Amendment voted by the public into our constitution. This involved an increase in sales tax (3/8ths of 1%). The funds are distributed by the legislature annually. The purpose is to support Outdoor Heritage, Clean Water and Arts and Cultural Heritage. The State Arts Board distributes the funds to 9 area arts councils who provide grants and training, Voting to increase your own sales tax is unique in this country I believe.
Without this source of funding, we could not have the art center. We are located in West Central Minnesota and a rural area with many elderly and low-income residents who can’t afford to travel 40 miles for the nearest arts programming. There would not be enough funding to support our programs.
Sixteen years is a long time. It is a full-time job. One Saturday, a woman walked into the art center and said, “Hi. I’m new in town and I want to get involved.” Miracle of miracles she is a nationally known artist with new ideas and lots of energy to pursue them. She will be taking over the Evansville Art Center with her knowledge of art and new ideas for classes and training. I will stay involved as her mentor (and student).
We came here knowing no one. My husband saw photos of a house in Evansville and fell in love with the photos. We came here in 2007 and were fortunate to have purchased the house from the estate of the best-loved woman in town. Almost impossibly we were welcome into this town of 612 with open arms because we bought Audrey’s house. Within two weeks we had 16 friends, and it has progressed from there.
I truly believe that I was sent here to do this. I feel my contributions to the Evansville Art Center are a God-given purpose.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a challenge to recruit volunteers to gallery sit on Fridays and Saturdays.
The real challenge is the 1913 building. It is the 2nd oldest building in Evansville. It was originally built as a pharmacy–Rexall Drugs. That closed and another pharmacy took over, Juul Drugs. owned by a local family. When that closed it was purchased and became a cafe “Come for Coffee – Stay for Art. in the early 90’s it was purchased by a group of artists and musicians. They formed the Evansville Arts Coalition, applied for and received non-profit status.
The building retains its original maple floor and has a magnificent, pressed steel ceiling. The Coalition added carpeting on the walls, refinished the floor, removed the kitchen gear and created a free-lending library in the space.
The steel ceiling and carpeted walls create a wonderful venue for music. A favorite of most musicians who play there.
The next challenge in the history of the building is $16,000 to replace bricks that fell off the back of the building. Lakes Region Arts Council approved a $25,000 grant to replace the brick and resolve the issue that caused it to fall.
The roof is flat with a membrane and has caused some issues. It was in good shape but needed periodic inspections. On one occasion they found 6 holes in the roof and repaired them. A few weeks later we had 4″ of rain in the rain gauge.
This would have been a disaster that probably would have destroyed the building, Most recently there was a leak in the roof that soaked so much cellulose insulation that it fell through the ceiling in the library. That was a big job to remove, clean up, dry out, and re-insulate the area.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I think I covered this well earlier, and you might want to move that work information to this. I think that artists and musicians appreciate me for the kindness and caring that I show them. I think they leave the art center after a performance knowing that they are appreciated. We have a number of musical groups that call and ask if they can have a concert.
I think I’m best known for my sense of humor. I love to hear people laugh. Otherwise I’m know as a sturdy support for the art center and those who use it.
My willingness to devote time sets me apart, but then I’m retired and I have the time.
Quilting is my other passion. I have used the art center for quilt exhibits. Some artists consider quilting to be “a craft.” But there is a lot more to it than just doing a fabric jigsaw puzzle.
I’m proud of the success of the art center, my quilting, my love of art and artists, music and musicians.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My Grandfather was a Postmaster. Every night at 5 pm we would walk to the Post Office and lower the flag and fold it in the appropriate triangle. Ironic that I ended up with a career in that same Postal Service.
My other Grandfather memory is going the picture show on Friday night–45 cents for him, 15 cents for me, popcorn was a nickel and coke was a dime.
Double feature, usually westerns, cartoon, funny short movie, Kelvinator ads, and most importantly, contour plowing on hills so the wind and water wouldn’t disrupt the crop.
Pricing:
- We ask 15% commission on sales
- We allow artists to set their own prices
- Music fees are sometime negotiated
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.evansvilleartcenter.org
- Facebook: evansvilleartscenter
