MOSES LAKE – Columbia Basin Allied Arts celebrated nearly five decades of bringing the arts to the Columbia Basin on Saturday. CBAA Director Shawn Cardwell said the event was a success overall and expressed her appreciation to attendees and other supporters.

“It is always nice to spend time with the community. CBAA is grateful for every opportunity we get to share the work we are doing, and even more grateful for all those who spend time to listen and contribute to our success. Thanks to all who joined us on Saturday, to those who donated to our mission and those who supported the event. We are already planning for next year,” Cardwell said.

The birthday party included fundraising in multiple formats. A balloon pop yielded tickets for a sapphire that was raffled off at the end of the day. An auction of a variety of prizes brought in money with Jake Barth of Chuck Yarbro Auctioneers, LLC conducting the auction for the nonprofit. Cardwell said the event raised slightly more than $25,000, a bit shy of the event’s $30,000 goal.

“We were a little under our goal for fundraising, so we are going to be doing another round of letter writing and say, ‘Hey, we’re just a couple thousand short on our goal,’” she said.

Despite the slight shortfall, Cardwell said the event was successful. She credited the move to Jamison’s Event Center as part of that success and said she was grateful for the weather cooperating with the event. Caterers brought in chicken wings, salad, artisan pizza and cupcakes to keep people full and happy during the event and music kept things lively as well.

Fundraising is vital for the organization to bring arts to places all over the Basin, Cardwell said. CBAA puts on a variety of events in communities in the area from its Moses Lake office at Big Bend Community College. From plays like “Rumplestiltskin” to this weekend’s upcoming Seattle Rock Orchestra Beatles tribute concert, there’s something for everyone from the very young to the more mature arts enthusiast.

Cardwell said ticket sales for events have been good, though not enough to meet the overall need without some fundraising as follow-up for the event.

The nonprofit’s 46th season had a total income from a variety of sources totaling about $192,500. That same year, its expenses exceed that at $197,450 – a difference of about $5,000, according to documentation provided at the Saturday event. An improvement on the prior year’s budget difference of more than $43,000, but the arts group is still in need of assistance from the community.

Anyone who would like to support the arts in the Columbia Basin may donate online (see sidebar below) or call to donate. Donations may also be mailed in via USPS. The money supports the nonprofit’s arts programs which Cardwell said have improved greatly in recent years.

“We’ve had the best quality show and then ones that sell as well as any in the last 10 years,” Cardwell said. “I would say – in the last year – we have had about 10,000 interactions with community members ages K through 12. Younger than that. Older than that at free events downtown, in our theater (and) in schools.”

Cardwell was focused on opportunities ahead during her commentary at the event. While the pandemic was difficult for the community, the silver lining was that it gave the organization a chance to examine its priorities.

“It gave us a second to sort of stop and think, and I’m not saying we were grateful for that by any means, but we’re saying that we are coming out of it stronger and more focused on our community and all the work that can be done and that we can be doing. And so, we appreciate you all so much for being here and for being generous and for supporting the arts in our area,” Cardwell said.

R. Hans “Rob” Miller may be reached at editor@columbiabasinherald.com. He welcomes all feedback relating to the paper and any news tips the community cares to share.

Columbia Basin Allied Arts

www.CBA-ARTS.org

509-793-0792

Mail:

7662 Chanute Street NE

Moses Lake, WA 98837-3299

Physical:

6989 College Parkway

Moses Lake