Gualala Arts Promoting public interest and participation in the arts since 1961
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Eric and Sus’ Annual Message – A Look to the Future!
December 1, 2023
Greetings and Happy Holidays from our Gualala Arts Family. First and foremost, please know that YOU are what puts a smile on our faces and the wind in our sails—every day of the year!
We also want you to know that the Gualala Arts Center and Dolphin Gallery have been VERY busy in 2023. With the hard work and perseverance from our artists, volunteers, donors, and staff, we managed to bring back our programming stronger than ever. It was an excellent year with over 100 publicized events, including 33 exhibits, 3 fine arts festivals, 25 live performances, 14 workshops, numerous classes and interest group gatherings, and the clay studio is open every weekday. YOUR arts center galleries & sculpture garden remain open seven days a week. WOW, is it ever great to be back in action!
As you may know, in 2022 our beloved Dolphin Gallery moved into an excellent location oceanside in the Seacliff Center next to Trinks café—and experienced a very successful first year. We hope you will take a look at our new home. Our vision is for you to be able one day—and not too long in the future—to buy an event ticket at the Dolphin and then walk to the Arts Center by way of the Gualala Bluff Trail and Mill Bend in coordination with our neighbors RCLC. How cool will that be?!
2023 has also proven to be an active year in maintaining your Arts Center by replacing two furnaces and installing a new front gate—just to name a couple of projects we were able to fund, thanks to your generous donations. Your past donations have been put to good use. With savvy planning, your Arts Center has continued our mission to promote public interest and participation in the arts since 1961!
There’s a lot more work to be done though. For example, as we write this letter our foyer furnace is out and our mezzanine furnace is 25 years old and will need to be replaced soon. In addition, operational costs have skyrocketed, with an unexpected $100,000 increase in our property/fire insurance premium in 2022. In 2023, insurance continues to be cost prohibitive at $85,000.
We need your help, now, to help bridge the gap in our funding through the end of this year—to keep your Arts Center doors open and welcoming our whole community.
We remain dedicated to fulfilling our mission and, with your help, will continue to do so for years to come. We are planning and budgeting for an awesome 2024 and look to the future with optimism, thanks to you! Remember, YOU make a difference!
Leading with love, prudent financial decision making, and heartfelt gratitude!
Eric Wilder – President
David “Sus” Susalla – Executive Director
Sending best wishes for peace and love—and art!
Ways of giving:
- Cash & check donations are ALWAYS welcomed, accepted and needed to achieve our budget at year-end.
- The IRS reminded IRA owners 70 ½ or over that they can transfer up to $100,000 to a charity tax free each year.
- Set up recurring on-line contributions, by visiting GualalaArts.org and use a credit card or PayPal.
- Name Gualala Arts as a beneficiary for your IRA, other retirement account, life insurance or any other assets in your estate.
- Donate investments, including highly appreciated securities.
- Please remember Gualala Arts in your estate planning. Our non-profit tax id is 94-6121872.
- We urge you to consult your tax advisor for the federal, state and local tax consequences of your charitable contributions.
