The Gift that Keeps on Giving...The Season Past and the Season Ahead 

As the holiday season fades into memory and the new year springs into being, my thoughts go to the meaning of gifts. A gift may be a present offered willingly without expectation of payment. Something tangible. Or, it may be a notable talent or natural ability. The intangible. 

Through my involvement with River Arts as a student of the arts and as a Board member, I have come to realize the role of our beloved county-wide arts organization as a gift to our community. The mission of River Arts is centered around “arts for all.” In 2021, our focus will be to expand our vision to “greater community inclusion and inspiration through the arts.” As we explore what that means, we will open our arms in new and different ways while retaining our traditional offerings of learning experiences albeit with more virtual as well as safe physical spaces. 

You may be wondering what the “keeps on giving” in the title is all about. As I see it, RA’s gift to you will multiply many times over as you inspire others to do the same. Maya Angelou reminded us that “Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art. You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” 

Wishing you hope and joy in 2021 from all of us at River Arts. 

-Charlotte Maison Kastner, Board Member