Even from its humble but enthusiastic beginnings, the Art Alliance of Idyllwild (AAI) aspired to offer the Idyllwild community something special and beautiful through art. Its founders, Chris Trout and Grace Songolo, wrestled with their idea of how to lay the foundation for a “member funded, nationally recognized association, that served as an attraction for a small mountain village where art is a major focus of the community.” Their vision and passion for art created a strong 501(C)3 non-profit, now celebrating its 27^(th) year, as well as Idyllwild being included as one of the 100 Best Art Towns in America in John Villani’s publication.
The AAI’s Mission is “Creating Community through Art” with Values of Community, Inclusiveness, Dedication, Artistic Excellence and Transparency. How are these goals delivered? Simply through the events it holds, its public art projects, and its dedication to art education. Several years ago, the AAI embraced the wider definition of “the Arts” to include not only visual arts, but also theater, dance, music, film making and services to the public. According to the AAI’s past President and current Grant Administrator, Donna Elliot, “our passion for art and our community has culminated in grants totaling $25,500 in 2022, $31,200 in 2023 and nearly $24,000 so far in 2024.”
How is the money put to good use? Here are just some of the many and varied projects and people the AAI has supported over the years:
Idyllwild Art Academy Children’s Dance Program
The 1998 Call of the Wyld Event where we raised money for the Cranston Fire victims
Idyllwild Arts Academy Film Department’s student film “In You We Trust”
The Mayor Max Calendar
Idyllwild Elementary School’s Music Program, its PTO smARTS Program, its 8^(th) Grade Legacy Tile Project, painted Cougar sculpture (the school’s mascot) and 2 painted deer (by smARTS and ASB students), the Dickens Essay and Poster Contest, and a bi-annual student art exhibition
The Idyllwild Film Festival
Home Schoolers Art Classes
Audiowyld Studio
Nature Center’s Mural
Art in the Park Musicians
Town Hall Art Hanging System in its Foyer
Summer Concerts
Musicians playing at the Art Walk & Wine Tasting Event
Free AAI membership for students and non-profits
Ken Luber’s production of his play Heaven on the Loose
Help Center Art Kits for distribution at Christmas
The Idyllwild Historical Society’s archival preservation of the Ernie Maxwell Collection
Idyllwild Actors Theater
Jen Savino’s publication of her children’s book Smokey’s Adventure of an Awakened Heart
The Stratford Players
Idyllwild Library Centennial Celebration
Special screening at the Rustic Theatre of the award-winning documentary Women of the White Buffalo by Deborah Anderson
Ceramic Classes at Idyllwild’s Mountain Pottery
During Covid, our artists donated to the Community Art Project “I Made This For You”
“Fashionable Idyllwild” Portrait Exhibition
The organization, installation and maintenance of 62 painted deer and 2 coyotes and “The Trail of the Painted Deer” Map (this project was extended to two Hemet schools where students painted a family of deer, and these were installed on their premises)
The AAI has also given grants for voice lessons for an aspiring actress, ballet lessons, a summer acting program in NYC, and cash prizes for artists whose artwork won ribbons at certain events.
Some of our most rewarding giving comes with awarding yearly scholarships for local students to attend the Idyllwild Arts Academy Summer Program. In 2023 we sponsored five students to attend with a cost of $10,000; this year is the same. Over the years we have helped inspire many local students to achieve their creative dreams.
On December 6, 2024, we staged our 4^(th) annual Christmas Art Kit Gift Giveaway. Each year, we purchase several thousand dollars of art materials and art kits for local kids aged 4 to young adults. It is another way we can foster the creative talent in children, as well as keep them busy during the holidays!
The AAI is a volunteer-based organization. A small portion of our funding comes from membership fees. Otherwise, we hold two fundraising events each year: the Eye of the Artist and the Art Walk & Wine Tasting event. We are also grateful to several organizations that provide grants to the AAI. These include the Ruth and Joseph C. Reed Foundation, the Idyllwild Community Fund, the Inland Empire Community Foundation, 4^(th) and 5^(th) District Supervisors Washington and Perez, Idyllwild Youth Grant Makers, the Pink Prism Fund, and some individual donors.
For Neil Jenkins, the recently retired AAI Treasurer and now an AAI Grant Administrator, art education, particularly for the Idyllwild Elementary School’s smARTS program “is one of the most worthwhile, rewarding and fun things we do.”
With so many of the AAI’s grants and projects, we are supporting the next generation of artists. We hope these students sign up for a free AAI membership on the AAI website and take part in the exhibitions and events we offer.
We encourage people to bring your art-related projects and ideas to AAI and apply for a grant to realize them. Apply at https://aai.clubexpress.com/content.aspx
