We at Sego are excited for this new website, and hope that it will enable our patrons greater access to the community we are all working to build- a community of contemporary art fans and artists, as well as those wishing to learn more about the wonderful state of art making today- and specifically how this relates to our own community. We are working hard to update and archive our past events and shows on the site, so that users will be able to reflect and remember their past experiences at the Art Center.  We hope this blog will become an active forum for discussion about contemporary art and relevant topics to artists and the arts (which awesomely becomes almost every topic: from social and political issues, the humanities, history- art and general, science, technology- among many others).

The Art Center, no doubt, has had a wildly successful inaugural year.  We really couldn’t have asked for a greater amount of success. The artists that have shown with us have created interesting and relevant work that has engaged and even entertained our audience.  Most importantly, these shows have begun to establish a local appreciation for contemporary art- an appreciation that is indeed much needed.  Sego is in no way solely responsible for this recent appreciation- Other institutions’ renewed and continued focus on contemporary art have created an overall statewide awareness of the significance of current artistic practices.  Jeff Lambson at the MOA, Jill Dawsey with the UMFA, Adam Price and 337 Project,  Heather Ferrel now heading up the SLAC, Jared Latimer and the CUAC’s continual stellar programming, and Adam Bateman and the Birch Creek Residency Program (and all the other things up his sleeve) have collectively fostered an environment for the appreciation of art which is now.

The Sego Arts Foundation, which is the parent organization for the annual Sego Music and Art Festival, as well as the Sego Art Center- received it’s 501(c)(3) tax exempt status from the IRS just two months ago.  This means that the Foundation can now receive tax deductible donations from individuals and foundations- something that is entirely necessary for our long term success.  Sego began and continues to be a pure grassroots movement in every definition- being run by an all volunteer staff and administration, with major events being driven by a large volunteer base.  If you are reading this blog, you likely have volunteered for Sego in the past- something that we are all extremely grateful for.  Everyone that helps literally owns a part of this organization. All those who put time and money into the foundation have ultimately influenced its direction. If you have given to sego of your time or money – THANK YOU – it is because of you that Sego has stayed afloat and succeeded on so many levels.

As we all know far too well, the economic downturn has affected so many facets of our lives- and Sego has certainly not dodged any of it.  The bright side however, for us, is that up until now (and still now) we have had very little financially.  We have been able to keep our doors open due to the generous support of artists and fans who have given what they could.  This means for us there are no budget cuts, no job losses, no program slashing- because we have worked with a non existent budget, a volunteer basis, and extremely cost efficient programming.  So this means that we don’t have to go down before going up- the upward growth is just slower and more methodical than we anticipated.

This all means that we need to all work a little harder, give what we can in time and money- and we will be able to establish a foundation upon which we can grow and succeed in the coming years.  We need your continual support- financially and in your time (online donations are now possible on our home page through Paypal- and if you would like to give of your time- let us know how you’d like to help out by using our contact tab at the top of this page).  This year we will see art from all over- geographically and conceptually.  We will continue to show local artists of significance (as we always will), as well as introduce artists from outside the valley, the state, and even the country.   I am excited for what 2009 will bring- and hope that you can participate with us in enjoying a wonderful year of art, music, and film.   (photos courtesy Justin Hackworth Photography)

Jason Metcalf