These programs have grown amazingly in the last few years.

We want to show the community how easily art can be a focal point to gather around in a social situation. You see people you don't normally get to talk to in a social situation, and brainstorm with each other about different things.

This is an expensive way to live. You have two homes, travel expenses--even if you are making a fair amount of money, the drain on cash is still considerable.

If you come with a vision that does not exclude, but includes the populace in a smaller community, you have the opportunity to make a difference for all the best reasons. We intend to shake things up.

In every school situation (art) is the first thing that is cut back, and it is something that adds so much to the quality and character of an individual. As soon as they have the opportunity to spread their wings and fly, most young people leave Payson because there is so little here to offer them, especially in terms of the arts and culture.

It does not mean you come here to present artists' work and neglect local charities; nor do art festivals and exclude working with the children, which are the lifeblood of the community.