Every year the City of Ellensburg chooses a person who represents the artistic spirit of the community and honors them as the Ellensburg Art Treasure. Previous Art Treasures have been recognized in the fields of visual art, theatre, dance, and music.
If you would like to nominate an individual to be honored as the Ellensburg Arts Treasure then please download a nomination form from the download forms page of this site, fill it out, and return it to the indicated address.
Historic Train Depot by Marge Corman
Letter of Nomination:
Marge Corman's contribution to the arts in our valley has been distinguished by her generosity and unstinting enthusiasm for almost every art or cultural activity which has occurred during the last 35 years. My relationship to the nominee is one of admirer, fan and recipient; I feel very fortunate to have known her for most of her tenure here in Ellensburg since she arrive in August of 1969.
I will speak to four areas specifically where I have had the great opportunity to admire firsthand her unstinting energy and talent:
1) She was involved with setting up and displaying artwork in the Kittitas Valley Hospital Corridor Gallery for years. My mother-in-law was most pleased when contacted by Marge who helped hang her paintings. Also, Marge has donated some of her own paintings for the permanent hospital art collection.
2) Marge was Board Member of Gallery One (formerly Ellensburg Community Art Gallery) for 25 year and has been awarded honorary member status in recognition of her long and dedicated service. She not only volunteered her time for board matters, but became a much sought after creator of ceramic Christmas figurines. She, during this time, created a drawing for the Gallery which was used in many posters and eventually note cards. She has also been an active supporter and participant in Paint Ellensburg since its inception, donating her yearly auction proceeds to benefit the Gallery.
3) Marge was a signature member of the Ellensburg Children's Musical Theater and created a stage environment for many years which enhanced the productions, even taking the lead role of Sophia in one production much to the delight of the children also performing that year.
4) Finally, I have benefited personally from Marge's notion to establish a pleinaire painting group which has evolved into the ColorWorks group which has currently met weekly for over three years with many painters involved in the ongoing projects, shows and painting sites. It is a vital and supportive group which nurtures and supports the many artists who are participating.
It is about time that we as a grateful community step up to acknowledge what a better place our community has been as a result of Marge Corman's talents, energy and generosity. Marge has for 35 years brought grace and beauty to our corner and exemplifies what a "treasure" should be for she definitely is a diamond with many sparkling facets.
– Patricia Davis