written by Alyssa Klahsen, Ames Community Arts Council Intern

written by Carrie Spring, Ames Community Arts Council Intern

Our members are Artists and supporters of the arts, non-profit organizations and businesses that have come together as the Ames Community Arts Council since 1976. We are dedicated to building a sense of community and helping artists succeed. We believe that participating in the arts--as audience members, musicians, actors, dancers, writers, makers, volunteers, and more--enriches our lives and our community. There is a place for everyone in the Ames Community Arts Council.

By attending the Toast Your Local Arts Council! fundraiser on Friday, February 17, you are helping us to continue to live our mission of celebrating the arts in Ames.

Here are just a few of the reasons you should be there:

1. Your financial support of the Ames Community Arts Council is critical to our success. It’s no secret that in our current political climate, truly local support of our artists, arts organizations, and arts advocacy groups is increasingly important. By pledging your support, you will assure that we can continue to build more resources and opportunities to support the incredible creative community we have in Ames.

2. A strong arts presence is good for your community. University of Pennsylvania researchers have demonstrated that a high concentration of arts in a city leads to higher civic engagement, more social cohesion, higher child welfare, and lower crime and poverty rates (1). As such, the Ames Community Arts Council strives to assure that artists thrive in Ames. Your financial support allows us to do what we do.

3. The arts drive economic growth. Nationally, the typical audience member spends an average of $27.79 per person, per event, beyond the price of admission (2). The Ames Community Arts Council promotes the events of our members to over 600 individuals each week through our e-newsletter and other social media outlets. By spreading the word, we are helping to build audiences, and increasing the success of the individual events while also increasing economic impact. Your engagement in our social media outlets, the events of our members, and this year’s fundraiser, assures the continued positive economic influence of the arts in Ames.

4. Our members are your friends, family, and neighbors, and they are incredibly talented, too. While we won’t have any live performances this year, we will be highlighting our members throughout the evening and giving you just a taste of what they, as individual artists, ensemble members, and local businesses, add to our cultural fabric. Your presence proves that what they do is important to you.

5. It will be a lot of fun! The planning committee has been working hard to create an event that is laid back, and quirky, and that will be a good time for everyone! We’ll have food, drinks, crafts, music, and well…TOAST. Carb loading for the arts is always good, right?

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This event is supported by the Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau Community Grant Program and the City of Ames Commission on the Arts (COTA). Additional promotional support has been provided by KASI-AM – News Talk Radio, Ames.
If you would like more information, please contact the Ames Community Arts Council by calling 515-233-6110, e-mailing info@amesart.org, or visiting the website, www.amesart.org.
 
(1) http://blog.americansforthearts.org/2016/03/04/10-reasons-to-support-the-arts-in-2016, pt. #8
(2) www.americansforthearts.org/sites/default/files/pdf/information_services/research/services/economic_impact/aepiii/national_report.pdf, pg. 9

​Hi my name is Erin Parro. I am a junior studying public relations and international studies. I am from Grayslake, Illinois, which is about 45 minutes north of Chicago. Some of my favorite things to do are running, cooking and traveling. Traveling is by far my favorite thing to do. I think some may say I’m addicted to it. So far I have been to 13 countries over four continents in a little over two years. In the fall of 2015, I studied abroad through the program Semester at Sea. Through this program, I was able to travel around the world visiting a number of countries all while living on a ship. Before my study abroad in college, I was able to take a trip to Europe my senior year of high school and again right after my freshman year of college. Through traveling, I have been able to broaden my horizon to the vast cultures and customs around the world. It is interesting to travel to all of these places and learn about the history, savor the food and talk with the locals about what makes each country so unique. As I have come home from my travels, I always get the question, “what is your favorite place you have been to?” I think through my open-mindedness, I have enjoyed something about every place I have ever been. It is about finding the beauty and the good in all places and people. Two of my next adventures I have planned is to study abroad my entire senior year, one semester in Europe somewhere and Thailand the other semester. 

Letitia Kenemer spends her days working as the Workspace Coordinator in ISU’s Memorial Union and managing the MU’s Fine Arts Program, where she rotates several art exhibits each year throughout the building. This role also allows her to recruit artists, install the art exhibits and create related programming.
 
When she’s not working at the MU, Kenemer creates her own unique and distinct artwork. She describes her art as fitting the category of mixed media assemblage.
 
“I am a collector of objects, always searching for small items that look or feel interesting to me.  I give order to discarded or forgotten items, reintroducing them to the world in a new way with a new identity,” Kenemer said. “Finding ways for these treasures to interact is a constant process.  Moving, rearranging, adding, subtracting…these assemblages are a work in progress until I feel that everything is in the “right” place.”
 
Kenemer graduated from ISU with a degree in visual studies. She worked at the Octagon Center for the Arts before returning to the university.
 
When asked what inspires her to be an artist, Kenemer said “making things is part of who I am.”
 
“Since I often work with found objects,  I’m constantly inspired – it’s time that makes it hard for me. I’m inspired by seeing other artist’s work that resonates with me.  I can find a rusty piece of metal in the street while walking the dog and be inspired,” Kenemer said.
 
As a loyal advocate for the Arts in Ames, Kenemer is excited to be a part of the 2016 Studio Tour. She said any time there is an opportunity to support the arts, either by participating or attending, she makes it a priority.
 
Kenemer lives in Ames with her husband, Hugo, who is also an artist, and their son Harvey.

For more information on Letitia Kenemer and the Ames Area Studio Tour please click, here.