By Natalie Keller
Foothills Community Foundation
I noticed fellow artists were exhibiting at a gallery and discussing it on Facebook. I wasn’t familiar with the gallery and wanted to know more about it; I wondered where it was located. Later, a friend of mine was having an exhibition at the same gallery and my curiosity was peaked again! I went to the exhibition and was impressed by the climate and the activity. I called another artist who was involved with the gallery and made an appointment for the next day. When I arrived at my destination I was pleasantly surprised to meet two very enthusiastic and engaging ladies…who had answers to all my questions.
Chris Winger is the President and CEO of the Foothills Community Foundation and Nicolette Bonstetter is a volunteer liaison between the artists and the Center. Nicolette is an artist herself, who finds other interested artists to exhibit and/or talk about their art at the center. The Holland Fine Art Gallery and the Holland Community Center are both under the umbrella of the Foothills Community Foundation. By the end of our time together I knew that I discovered another hidden treasure…what a favorable site for the community!
I can’t believe how many people volunteer to help create a relaxing and vibrant community center that provides resources for culture, education and community service. It began with a The Foothills Community Foundation (FCF) hiring ASU to do a study on what was needed in the community. (FCF incorporated in 1986.) ASU found the community needed a college, thus Paradise Valley Community College developed a site. A family program was needed so the YMCA set up another building on site. There was also a need for the general community programs and activities thus The Holland Community Center was born and it occupies about 10,000 square feet of space! The entire campus is the result of the study and 15 years later it is a reality! It is called The Black Mountain Campus and it has been in existence for five years!
Everything that the Foundation does is supported 100% by donations…it is a nonprofit which benefits the communities of North Scottsdale, North Phoenix, Carefree and Cave Creek. It is a multifaceted organization. For instance, several on going happenings are 1) the after school program called “Desert Reach” where volunteers go into the 4th grade classroom with hands on science about the desert. 2) The other is the “Partners in Education” programs that provides Teacher Vision Grants that support innovation in the classroom. Ideas such as the Shakespeare Festival, The Arizona Legacy Project “At Home in the Desert”, programmable robots for K-3 students, equipment to produce an in house school newspaper, and much more. Each year $20,000 is given out in these grants.
The YMCA is located in the same complex.
The YMCA with all of its programs and The Foothills Theatre are also a vital part of the foundation. The theatre has acting, voice, dance and other classes associated with it and is a necessary part of The Holland Community Center. The Foothills Theatre just finished the production of “Dream Girls” which was a huge success.
Every Monday during January and February, they have a Visual Arts Lecture Series that has been very well attended. Wine and cheese are served at 3:30pm previous to the lecture from 4-5pm. The new lecture series started January 2015 and the tickets are only $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers. Qualified speakers are presenting talks on a variety of subjects of interest to the art world.
There is a Mind Quest Lecture Series from October through April on Tuesday nights given by experts in their field. Mind Quest invites outstanding individuals to speak on issues of interest to our desert foothills community. There are groups that play Bridge, Mah Jong, Bingo, and more during the day or evening and of course a diversity of art workshops and/or classes, including photography.
There are so many activities that it is impossible to note all of them. There is The Holland Fine Art Gallery that has monthly art exhibitions. The Gallery rents for $300/month and can be shared by two/three artists. The art is juried previous to being accepted into the gallery. There is a reception for the exhibit every second Saturday of the month. The gallery is a large well-lit area with professional hangers for the art. The artists are happy to pay the 20% commission given to The Foothills Community Foundation since they take care of the sales and advertising leaflets. The main hallway is another space that rents for $500/month and is wide and long…excellent for hanging smaller paintings. Individual classrooms can also be rented for what ever purpose you have in mind…there is something for everyone! Attention artists…The Holland Fine Art Gallery is already booking out to 2016!
Coming soon:
There is a printmaking exhibition, “Printmaking Today”; scheduled next week after the current contemporary painting exhibition is taken down. Learn how these contemporary artists are pushing the limits of traditional and experimental fine art prints. March 14, 4:30 – 6:30.
“The Vibrant Canvas” by acclaimed International and local artist Wahid Nahle. March 28-May 1, 2015, reception April 11th, 4:30pm – 6:30pm.
A fundraiser “Hearts and Hands Gala” will be on March 8th. It will be a murder/mystery dinner and the tickets are $150 / person. It includes an open bar, dinner, silent and live auction. Mark your calendars to attend that one! All the monies will go back to the Holland Community Center and its’ programs.
Located in the Holland Center will also be a bakery and restaurant called “My Sweet Blessings,” which according to Nicolette, their corn burrito is to die for! They will be serving breakfast and lunch daily.
Country Photography Showcase will also be coming soon featuring India. It will be on Monday March 3rd at 11am-11: 45 am for only $10.
There are many hard working volunteers that help make this dream a reality. Volunteers are the base for the organization and provide support for the culture, education and community services. There are so many things to do at the Center that you will want to go on their website and get a schedule of activities and classes not to miss out! You may even want to volunteer! It’s your community connection!
For Additional Information
Website: www.azfcf.org
E-mail: info@azfcf.org
Address: 34250 N. 60th Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85266
Phone: 480-488-1090
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