How would you explain your organization in 300 words or less?
Sustainably-fired art studios and education center, focusing on use of biofuels to provide high temperatures for art applications
How did this program begin?
County-led effort to find a solution for methane gas leaking from county landfill.
What is unique about the community you serve?
Tiny, rural mountain community, with a long history of local art and crafts.
How are you keeping your program financially sustainable & what strategies do you recommend?
In addition to our annual county budget, we supplement our income with a range of public classes, studio rental fees, and gallery sales commissions.
What impact are you seeing & how do you measure success?
We normally see several thousand students each year for educational tours, as well as several large car clubs and other organizations. We support over a dozen local and regional artists. And our quarterly evaluations of contaminants exiting the landfill has shown a consistent and significant drop in all emissions.
Are there any community programs or organizations that inspire(d) you?
Handmade in America; Energy Xchange
How has the outbreak of COVID-19 impacted your program, if at all?
For right now, we are relying on our county budget. All of our public classes, studio rentals, and gallery sales have been cancelled for the immediate future. We are VERY lucky compared to most private studios and organizations.