WashArts participants sad to see organization closing
WashArts is scheduled to close because of a lack of funds.
A BYOB Paint and Sip is the final event scheduled at WashArts. The charity event takes place Sept. 19.
A recently retired dentist, Bill McCormick liked to brush up on a personal avocation. So, he often signed up for the adult advanced pottery class that ran in six-week increments at Washington Community Arts and Cultural Center – known less formally and more commonly as WashArts.
“I’ve been taking them on and off since 2005,” McCormick, 66, said Wednesday.
His last class during the current session may – or may not – occur Monday night. The WashArts board of directors announced Saturday it is shutting down the center Tuesday because of a lack of funds. All operations at the facility at 70 South St., Washington, will cease except for the BYOB Paint and Sip event from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 19 – a fundraiser benefiting the Washington County Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
A nonprofit founded in 2002, WashArts has offered children and adult classes in painting, pottery, music, dance and other arts. It has strived to serve youth regardless of their financial circumstances.
In a news release Saturday from board president Rueben Brock, the directors said they were canceling all classes and selling the building and other assets to help satisfy debts.
The statement said in part: “These actions are necessary after it became clear that income from activities, classes and fundraising could not offset monthly obligations for salaries and expenses associated with the WashArts facility.”
In a phone interview Wednesday, Brock said registrations for all classes fell precipitously over the past year or so. He estimated about 200 would sign up “in a good semester,” but only 12 to 20 did so during the recently completed summer session. He said there were fewer registrants for the fall.
“For whatever reason, people were not coming out,” said Brock, an assistant professor of psychology at California University. “When enrollment is so low and there aren’t sufficient funding sources, the math is pretty simple. It takes money to make a business go.”
McCormick, who practiced in Washington before hanging up his diagnostic devices May 4, wasn’t surprised by the board’s decision. “Everyone in our class heard that things weren’t going well. I don’t know all the particulars, but it’s a shame. Washington is losing a gem.”
Then a wishful, and mirthful, thought, crossed his mind.
“There’s nothing that a million dollars and little time couldn’t help,” said McCormick, of East Washington. “Maybe some big corporate artistic gods will come in gracing us with their presence.”
Kit Paulsen, an artist from Amwell Township, likewise has been enamored of the offerings at 70 South St.
“I think WashArts is such a wonderful thing,” she said. “It’s a shame it’s gone.”
McCormick said he enjoyed the pottery work, and the social aspects, of participating in his current class of five. “I’d tell Jen Adamson, our teacher, that is was my fastest three hours of the week. I got to meet a lot of nice people. Now that I’m retired, I was thinking of taking something else, like metalsmithing and stained glass.”
McCormick said his group is supposed to gather at its regular venue Monday, but not for a formal class. Members most likely will pick up their pottery pieces, which Adamson is supposed to fire, then leave.
For McCormick and others, breaking up will be hard to do.
“WashArts breaking up,” he said, “means we’re becoming artistic refugees.”
The BYOB Paint and Sip event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 19. For a $50 donation, artists can paint “Starry Night” on canvas or a silk scarf design. Call 222-1475 for more information.