Gardner Trust awards $5,200 to local recipients

The board of the Donald G. Gardner Humanities Trust voted to award $5,200 to local artists and organizations at its May 18, 2005 board meeting. The Trust is still working with a very conservative budget this year as the endowment recovers and is hopeful there will be more funds available for grants next year.Three project grants were awarded to: 1-the Ely ArtWalk, for next year’s collaborative art show between businesses and artists, 2-the Burntside Lake Fine Arts Association, for their week-long chamber music camp scheduled in August, and 3-the Voyageur Winter Festival, for their Snow Sculpture Symposium.Operational funding grants were awarded to both Northern Lake Arts Association and the Voyageur Winter Festival to help with expenses in running their organizations and programming.Individual artist grants were awarded to Shaun Chosa, for a reusable 3-panel outdoor mural project, and Heart Warrior Chosa, for a children’s book project.Several projects will be in progress this year with the support of grant awards from 2004. The Greenstone Public Arts Committee is working on a new outdoor mural this summer that will be located on the Klun Law Office building. Also Northern Lakes Arts Association is working on the Moose is Loose Storytelling Festival that will occur during the Blueberry Arts Festival weekend.Any questions about the grant programs, the Trust or ways to support the arts in Ely can be directed to Keiko Aylsworth, Executive Director at 365-2639 or at info@dgght.org.The purpose of the Trust is for the enhancement, growth and improvement of: 1. The Ely Public Library 2. The arts and artisans of Ely and surrounding area, to include the performing arts, the visual arts and literature. 3. The creating and funding of scholarships, educational and artistic grants. 4. The cultural and aesthetic environment of the City of Ely and its surrounding area.Linda Keiko Aylsworth, Exec. Dir. Donald G. Gardner Humanities Trust P.O. Box 720 Ely, MN 55731 218-365-2639