MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Museum & Art Center kicks off its annual membership drive with the “Feed the Mammoth” party from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the museum, 401 South Balsam St. The campaign will continue through Jan. 6.

“It is our membership drive and fundraiser for the year,” museum manager Freya Liggett said. “It really focuses on that membership drive.” All the money raised through memberships goes to support the museum’s programs for children and its educational activities. “Every single bit of it is supported by membership dollars,” Liggett added.

“You’ll be able to see your membership dollars in action throughout the year.”

A food drive also is part of the party and the membership drive, and also continues through Jan. 6. As food is collected it will be donated to the Moses Lake Food Bank.

Friday is also the opening reception for the “Water at Work” exhibit. The exhibit mixes historic photographs of the development of the Columbia Basin Project with contemporary photos of the irrigation projects by Brooks Heard.

The museum store gallery will feature an exhibit of photographs by Sue Tebow of Moses Lake. The exhibit, titled “Agri-Culture,” uses portraits of farmers and people working in agriculture to highlight farming in the Columbia Basin.

“Feed the Mammoth” features live music by the Gear Jammers, hors d’oeuvres (pulled pork sliders and bruschetta with whipped ricotta cheese, among others) by Nicky Crost of Cave B Winery, Quincy, and beverages from Camas Cove Cellars, Moses Lake. Pictures with Santa will be available for $5 each, sponsored by the Moses Lake Business Association.

There's an opening night discount on purchases of galley artwork, 20 percent for museum members, 10 percent for non-members.

In addition to music, art and food, attendees will get a look at some of the plans for next year’s exhibits and some of the changes the museum is making.

Museum officials purchased cases that will allow exhibits to be expanded, Liggett said, which will mean display of more of the museum’s own collection. The museum’s foundation is the artifacts and mementos collected by longtime area resident Adam East, and a permanent display of those artifacts will be installed. “Now we have the tools to be able to show those off on a regular basis,” Liggett said.

Another set of cases will be a rotating display from the rest of the museum’s collection. First up will be a scale model of the former U&I Sugar production facility, donated by Dave and JoAn Forsyth. It will be on display Friday.

The “Feed the Mammoth” theme references the mammoth sculpture – a life-size sculpture of a mammoth, about 14 feet at the shoulder – that dominates the space, a work in reclaimed metal. Mammoths roamed the Columbia Basin in prehistoric times. “He’s a little history. He’s a little art. He’s just like us,” Liggett said.

People who want more information can contact the museum, 509-764-3830.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].