Arts Jasper held its annual general meeting on May 10 at the Habitat for the Arts. 

The group’s members gathered to discuss the previous successful year, and re-elect the board’s members. Arts Jasper president Linda Szkorupa also took time at the end of the meeting to celebrate some dedicated members.

Secretary Angie Lemire presented a revamped program that will see Arts Jasper contribute some money to arts and culture events in the community this year. 

“There are programs in the park that are more than happy to receive 100 or 200 dollars,” Lemire said. 

Arts Jasper hasn’t handed out scholarships for the past three years, but Lemire said they hope to pick up that idea again this year. Lemire said they will give what they can to programs in need. 

“We can only offer a limited amount of funds,” Lemire said. 

Lemire spoke about Arts Jasper’s contribution to the high school. The society will be contributing a scholarship to students in Art 30, Dance 35 and Music 30. 

“A student in band, who stays in Grade 12 band, that’s an achievement,” Lemire said. 

Arts Jasper will also be contributing $400 to the Black Tie Awards Night planned for later this year to recognize local artists and their accomplishments. 

Other funds ($220) will be dedicated to the community art project, and there is the possibility of more being spent in the schools. Lemire said they will accept applications from the community to support arts and culture events. She encourages the schools to get in touch with Arts Jasper if they have an upcoming event they would like some funding for. 

Long-time volunteer Helen Schwarz spoke following Lemire’s presentation on an idea to recognize donors who have been contributing to Arts Jasper for many years. Schwarz proposed that Arts Jasper send off letters to each of the many donors who have been donating in excess of 10 years, all the way to those who have been pitching in funds on a yearly basis for 24 years. She offered her time to write up the letters. The motion was passed. 

Szkorupa delivered her president’s message, discussing the many successes Arts Jasper has had through the year. The first performance was the Bonnie Doon Trio on Oct. 2, 2010, which drew 61 attendees. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on Nov. 7, 2010 drew in 178 adults and children. 3rd Street Beat presented Splash! on Feb. 4. The event was a huge success that saw local dancers take classes with the Edmonton performers. The final event Arts Jasper sponsored was the recent Japanese drumming group, Kito No Taiko, which had the largest turnout of the year at over 200 spectators. The event helped raise funds for Jasper 2 Japan 4 Humanitea through a bake sale at the intermission. 

The year ahead is starting to fill up. Szkorupa said they have tentatively booked a group of Métis dancers and a jazz performance. 

Szkorupa then awarded some outstanding members with a lifetime membership and a potted flower. Dorothy Peterson was the first recipient. Peterson became a director in 1993, and stayed on as secretary for 14 years. Mildred Hughes was honoured second, for her 18 years as a board member. Avice Heckley has been a member since 1979. In 1980 she revived the annual Christmas Community Sing Along in Jasper. In 1993 she officially joined the Arts Jasper board and has been active for 18 years. The final person recognized was Monika Schaefer, who joined the board as a director in 2005/06. In 2007/08 she was the president. Since then she has remained active and helped organize the Bonnie Doon Trio in 2010.