This Month at Maryhill
Photograph: Sanda Liebham, Maryhill Museum of Art
Greetings,
At Maryhill, we subscribe to a business maxim that may be familiar to some of you: Plan the work, and work the plan.
We have plans. You’ve seen some of the results, around our parking area. You’ll read about other plans in this issue, and the business partners helping make them happen.
The short of it is, as much as we love the legacy of Sam Hill, the museum of 2010 can’t remain the museum of 1930. We need to grow, and adjust what we do, to keep pace with a changing appetite for art.
That’s why it’s so exciting to have new curator of art Steve Grafe on board, talking about collaboration with other regional museums, and exposing our guests to new art forms like graphic novels. Also a new collections manager Melissa Stabile, who you will hear more about in March, starts February 1.
And that’s why it’s exciting, to contemplate additional interior space to expand and add to our exhibits. Plans that achieve long-term objectives, while respecting the legacy of our founders.
That’s the plan. We’re working on it. To all of you who help our plans take shape—thank you.
Meanwhile, mark your calendars. We open for our 70th season on March 15.
Happy New Year.
Colleen Schafroth
Executive Director
MUSEUM NEWS
 Cannon Power Group Partners with Maryhill in Many Ways
You may recall that about a year ago, Maryhill Museum entered into an agreement with Cannon Power Group to place 15 wind turbines on the eastern end of the 5,300-acre property. In exchange, the museum will receive more than $150,000 per year to sustain continuing operations. But that was just the start of Cannon Power Group’s contributions to the museum.
“They have done wonderful things for the museum, and we are extraordinarily grateful for that,” says Board President Jim Foster.
In March Cannon donated concrete to help improve parking, curbs and walkways. The company also donated $75,000 to help the museum enhance wetlands surrounding McCarty Pond, about a mile east of the museum and just north of SR 14.
And most recently, Cannon Power contributed $85,000 toward a facelift on the south side of the museum, toward the bluff overlooking the Columbia River. The project, connected with an expansion of the museum itself, involves walkways, native plants and fencing.
J.T. Atkins & Company of Bend, Ore., has designed the work, and Gunkel Construction of Goldendale will complete the work, in part using rock that it has donated.
Collections Grow Through Generous Donations
In addition to record attendance during 2009, Maryhill Museum of Art celebrated the arrival of several visitors who haven’t left. That’s right, thanks to generous donors, we’ve added to our collection.
Not just anybody can donate anything they want to the collection. So, how does the “garden” grow? Collections Manager Betty Long-Schleif says it’s a multi-part process.
When something comes to the attention of the museum, either for donation or sale, staff members research the work, then present it to the Collections Committee for review. If the committee thinks the museum can properly care for and show the work, it considers whether the work will fit with Maryhill’s long-range collection plan. The Board of Trustees gives final approval to additions that pass that screening process.
Here are the 2009 visitors now residing permanently at Maryhill.
Woven baskets from the Papago-Tohono O’odham Native American peoples, signed by the artists and originally sold in the 1960s and 1970s at a Tucson, Ariz., gift shop operated by the American Friends Service Committee. These will complement art in the permanent Native People of North America exhibit.
Historic letters conveyed by Army Capt. Alfred Burton Welch between Sioux Chief Red Tomahawk and Queen Marie of Romania during the early part of the 20th century, donated by Welch’s great grand-niece, Lulu Lamping. They will be added to the Queen Marie archives.
A woodblock print of a chess player, donated by Northwest artist (and avid chess player) Michael Smith. See more of Michael’s work at his website.
Michael Smith, Endgame, undated.
Woodcut, water-based ink on acid-free paper, 9” x 9”.
Gift of Michael Smith.
Collection of Maryhill Museum of Art
A western Apache basketry tray, donated by longtime Maryhill supporter Robert Mandelson. His parents had acquired the tray more than 50 years ago, in the 1960s. Long-Schleif describes it as a “fine example of this coiled style using willow and devil’s claw.”
A fine photo-print portfolio of work by Auguste Rodin, printed in 1933 and donated by Vincent Jolivet.
A fine beaded Plateau vest, purchased at the recommendation of new curator of art Steve Grafe. “The acquisition of some select geometric and figurative beadwork will allow the museum to more fully interpret the artistic traditions of the region’s Indian people,” Grafe said.
Columbia River Plateau, Man’s beaded vest, c. 1900–1920.
Collection of Maryhill Museum of Art
Board President Foster Applauds Shared Passion for Maryhill
A member of the Maryhill Board of Trustees for five years and president for the last year, Jim Foster says the museum is blessed by the diversity, talents and commitment of its board.
“This is as involved and hard-working a board as I can imagine,” says Foster, an attorney and 37-year resident of The Dalles. “They’re there because they actually care about the museum and its future, and they contribute huge amounts of personal expertise and time.”
Trustees serve on multiple committees, meeting regularly to advance a shared vision for the museum.
“We have a wheat farmer, lawyers, retired doctors and retired firemen, teachers, and bakers,” Foster says. “It’s absolutely unbelievable what a cross-section of people we have. What unites them is that they believe that this is an incredibly valuable asset for the region, and they’re all stepping up and saying ‘We believe that art is for everyone’.”
Longer range, Trustees are working for expansion — of the museum itself, and of public awareness and support. “We’re really trying to reach out to more and more people,” Foster says. “The next few years at Maryhill promise to be real exciting.”
Foster’s enthusiasm and optimism reflect an appreciation for strong private partners, such as the Cannon Power Group and neighboring landowners, Ron and Dan Gunkel. But beyond that, he says the staff is an exceptional asset.
“The other thing we’ve got is just a really wonderful staff, headed by I think the finest museum director in America,” he says. “Colleen (Schafroth) is an absolute gift for anyone that would have her.”
To learn more about the Board of Trustees, go online to the museum's website.
Board of Trustees , May 2009. Back Row (left to right): Fred Henchell, Oliver Hidden, Wade Fickler, Jim Foster, Bill Dickson, Linda Frischmeyer, Phil Swartz.
Middle Row (left to right): Art Dodd, Jerri Honeyford, Bob Moco, Laura Cheney, Laura Muehleck, David Savinar, Patty Burnet, Gwen Bassetti.
Kneeling (left to right): Lee Weinstein, Corday Trick, Jim McCreight, Kim McGinnis.
 We’re Au Courant … on Twitter and Facebook
Speaking of electronic technology, we’re tapping into the latest technology to keep you up to date with developments at the museum, and help you connect with other … well, “friends.” That’s right, if you’ve heard of and explored the world of Facebook, you know that people can go to individual or corporate Facebook pages and register to become “friends.” That lets you share comments with other friends online, and stay abreast of news through messages that we deliver to all our “friends.” You have to register to enter the Facebook world. Here’s where Maryhill museum’s friends gather.
One other popular current tool is Twitter, which allows users to send – and other users to collect – brief news feeds, called “tweets.” See what Maryhill has been tweeting about, and sign up to get our tweets at your Twitter page, right here.
Help Spread the Word … and Stay in Touch
Our doors may be closed for the winter, but that doesn’t mean you have to lose touch. Thanks to Web 2.0 technology, you can share Maryhill’s art with a friend, by sending an eCard. It’s simple. Go to the web page, scan the art images, click on your choice, fill in the form with your recipient’s e-mail address, and send. Start here.
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