Letter of Nomination:
I wish to nominate Marge Corman for City Art Treasure Award 2004.
I met Marge almost twenty years ago when, as CWU Dean of Extended University Programs, I was involved in organizing our first community "Celebration of Cultures" through International Programs to celebrate the diversity of cultures in our valley. The call went out to find the top community artists to design replicas of buildings from different cultures, then to actually build and paint them. Marge was among those on the list. I was impressed with her willingness to accept the assignment, her artistic ability to replicate the building, and her dedication to finish with extra flair and props.
Over time I have become more acquainted with her large repertoire of artistic interests and abilities. I realized that she is certainly a creative genius a she users her brushes, pens, pencils and hands in watercolor, pastel acrylic, ink, oils and clay. She is well known for her clay figures, firing wonderful "little people" in her home kiln. Also she encouraged many of us to paint on tile and fire them for permanency.
For many years, Children's Musical Theatre has been a recipient of her many talents in set design and painting as well as other creative contributions of props and costumes. Having worked with her this last year in that area, I can attribute to her enthusiasm as well as other creative contributions of props and costumes.
The cultural climate of Ellensburg has been enhanced thru Marge Corman's art contributions. Her hand is reflected in such events as Celebration of the Cultures, Paint Ellensburg and First Friday Art Walk. Marge's paintings have hung in Gallery One, Walter's and Porter Store to mention a few. Those who know her watercolors, recognize her unique choice of color, design and composition. And we must not forget reflections of Marge at the Children's Activity Museum Auction.
Marge has always been willing to share her talents with others. Aspiring artists have received strong support through informal lessons in her home. Also, she was among the founders of a group of women watercolorists who now meet regularly to paint together on Friday mornings, share ideas and critique each others work. The group is open to all who may have a desire to further their interest and skill in art. As a member of that group I can attest to her dedication, her faithful attendance, her search for items and places to paint, and her encouragement of our attempt to learn the principles of artistic expression. Her important role in promoting "Colorworks" (our new name for the group) is unquestionable.
Finally, I want to acknowledge Marge's influence on my own art work. She manages to see the best in my creative attempts and suggests that I find my own place and style. Marge encouraged me to frame my first piece and to show my art in public for the first time in the community Porter Store. She suggested attending art films and reading art books to further my education as an "artist in process". My thanks go to Marge for giving me the courage to grow as an artist and giving me the confidence to continue.
– Jean Putnam
Letter of Nomination:
I am nominating Marge Corman for the City Art Treasure for 2004. I am not related to Marge, but I have known her for many years. She has contributed to the arts in Ellensburg through her numerous artistic drawings and through her participation in the local art community. I don't know how long Marge has been involved in the arts, but certainly as long as I have known her. Neither do I know of other awards or honors she has received, or if she has founded or directed any organizations,
I do know that Marge generously allowed Historic Ellensburg to reproduce her drawing of the Ellensburg Train Station, along with several of her other drawings of campus building and county scenes. Historic Ellensburg was able to reproduce her drawings on note cards which we then sold as a fund raiser to help meet the local match required by a grant to help purchase and weatherize the old station. Marge's generosity was a huge help in enabling us to reach our matching goal.
I hope you will favorably consider Marge Corman for this honor. She is a longtime resident of Ellensburg and is truly a "City Art Treasure".
– Margaret Condil
Letter of Nomination:
My name is Edna Bjorge, and I would like to nominate Marge Corman as 2004 Ellensburg City Art Treasure.
I first met Marge about thirty years ago. The catalyst for the meeting was another Art Treasure, Donna Nylander, and the event was, of course, a meeting regarding Donna's latest play. We were forming committees to volunteer for various aspects of play production, and I found myself on the artistic areas of the production, with Marge and Marian Gerrits. Marge and Marian immediately accepted me as one of them, and we became fast friends.
Working with Marge immediately left me greatly impressed with her creativity, ("We could just sew a background for this stage out of yards of fabric - no problem!), her ability to deliver. ("I'll do it"), her humility, ("It was nothing."), and her loyalty, ("Donna needs our help"). Since that time so long ago, I have observed those qualities again and again.
Seeing her own artwork, no one could doubt her ability, but her willingness to share with other artists and members of the community is what I find gratifying. Whether volunteering at Gallery One, working on a stage set or costumes, inviting children to her home to paint, offering to teach people how to work with clay (and then volunteering to fire their works in her own kiln), or donating paintings and her whimsical sculptures to the Paint Ellensburg auction, Marge exhibits the best attributes of fine art itself.
Marge has been instrumental also in influencing my own art, and encouraging my painting and teaching attempts. I think of her as my finest artistic example, and can only hope to become as fine a painter one day.
Three years or so ago, Marge was instrumental in forming the nucleus of a women's pleinaire painting group which meets every Friday, rain, snow or shine, to paint together and enjoy the fellowship of other artists. Since that time, we have shown our work together on several occasions, with Marge being one of the first and foremost to encourage the reluctant first-time exhibitor. I'm sure that without Marge's gentle encouragement, many of our group would not have had that first scary but exhilarating experience of seeing their work hanging in a gallery!
COLORWORKS would not exist without Marge Corman, but with typical humility, she insists on saying she only started the group because she didn't want to go out painting by herself!
Without Marge Corman, the artistic climate around Ellensburg would definitely be poorer.
– Edna Bjorge
Letter of Nomination:
Dear Art Commission:
Marge Corman has provided Ellensburg with an endless supply of various works of art. From the charming little clay angels to the lovely paintings of lemons and pineapples, Marge's work has added an invaluable splash of color to the community.
I myself have had the privilege of having art classes with Marge. A patient teacher, she has helped me with my watercolor and clay skills wonderfully. Already I have began to master some of the paint-with-water techniques, and I look forward to the lessons every Tuesday, not to mention the occasional spaghetti dinners our families share.
Marge Corman, in conclusion, deserves this nomination, not only for the art she adds to Ellensburg, but also for the lessons she gives to others to bring their own color into the community someday.
– Hannah Charlton, age 12