​ART AND COMMUNITY

We are strong believers in the benefits of art and artistic experiences to a community, and that supporting the arts will help us realize our vision of a community working together to inspire curiosity, discovery, and pride. We are not alone in this belief. The state of Washington, as well as other states across the country have implemented Creative District Initiatives as a way to help communities thrive, and help them turn cultural activities into economic growth. We believe, and studies show, that supporting artistic experiences in schools (as well as our community) helps students with their self-confidence, self-understanding, and inventiveness. Music, theater and other collaborative art experiences can help students with their social and communication skills. 
Beauty of Bronze
​FLGC covers 100% of the costs for Soap Lake 5th grade students to participate in the Beauty of Bronze program. This program gives fifth graders the opportunity to work with a professional artist to create and exhibit their own small bronze sculptures. It's a rare experience in the world of art education, particularly when school budgets are so tight.

​Over 600 fifth-graders in central Washington (and now some high school students) participate in this program each fall which includes learning about sculpture from artist-in-residence, Kevin Pettelle of Soul In Bronze Sculpture Studio. Kids are first given a tutorial about how the creative process and bronze sculpting works. Then they create their own wax sculpture which is sent to a foundry and cast in bronze. A public artists’ reception is held in their honor each year. Like and follow our Facebook page for updates about this program. 
​How Does the Process Work?
  • Early in the school year BOB delivers bagged wax ingots for each student, sculpting tools, a tub for water bath to help keep waxes at a workable temperature, instructions and forms to be filled out for each piece. 
  • Students watch instructional videos and learn how to make a pinch figure in preparation to make their own sculpture.
  • Once each student has completed their wax sculpture, they are delivered to Wenatchee for preparation by Kevin who then delivers them to the foundry. 
  • It takes about 10 weeks time at the foundry to caste the figures made by the over 600 students who participate in the program.
  • Finished bronzes are on display at Wenatchee Art Museum during the month of March. Students have a field trip to the museum to see their pieces on display.
Friends of the Lower Grand Coulee is tax exempt organization as described in
Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 46-4201429
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