Anyone who has been to a live theater production recognizes the tension felt by a protagonist as they recognize that change is necessary for growth.
Members of the Peninsula Arts Appreciation Council board of directors are in a similar place as the organization unveils a new name, which we hope will evoke excitement for the future of arts in our community.
Since it was founded in 1973, the organization has been dedicated to producing not just community theater, but art of all kinds.
PAAC’s original 80 members, who hailed from both Ishpeming and Negaunee, were dedicated to bringing art to the west end of Marquette County. The Vista Theater was the focal point of the council’s efforts.
Jafet Rytkonen built and operated the Vista Theater beginning in 1926, while the iron industry was still booming in the area. He had his own philosophy about entertainment, and specifically, theatrical entertainment.
“A good theatre is an indispensable factor in the social and business life of the modern community,” Rytkonen said, “providing inspiration, incentive and stimulus to the people.”
Rytkonen may have been thinking about the physical Vista Theater building, but his sentiments also rang true for the founders of the PAAC. It also resonates with the current leadership of the organization as it began doing business as IronArts.
“That’s one reason why a transition to the name IronArts makes so much sense,” said board president Rusty Bowers. “It contains a nod to the industry responsible for the growth of the region, while also keeping a key element of what the founders of the group envisioned – and that’s ‘arts,” plural.”
Bowers said efforts to rebrand the organization were underway well before a build up of water caused the Vista Theater’s roof to collapse nearly four years ago.
“After that, the board and our membership became focused on raising money to try to preserve and protect the building. Between that and the unprecedented impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on live performances and volunteer events, we had our hands full. With the help of a community invested in restoring the building, we were able to raise more than $100,000 that we used to clean up roof debris and help to stabilize the remaining the portions of the building, but we needed a lot more than that to actually save this historic piece of Iron Street in Negaunee.”
The state of MIchigan allocated $3 million dollars to the city for building restoration, in addition to nearly half a million dollars provided by the Marquette County brownfield authority to replace the roof over the auditorium. Those funds could not be given to a nonprofit, so the board, with the support of PAAC membership, agreed to transfer the Vista Theater and the Field Building over to the city.”
Bowers said that as PAAC begins to do business as IronArts, its members would like the opportunity to help the city raise additional funds for the revitalization of the structure that has been an important part of the organization and the community for decades.
IronArts is proposing fundraising efforts to purchase lighting, sound, and other equipment that may not be factored into the city’s restoration budget.
“Just because we don’t own the building, doesn’t mean we are not invested in the outcome,” Bowers said. “We want to help in any way we can, that’s why we’re writing a letter to the city asking them to let us raise funds for the project. We are excited to partner with city officials if they are willing to let us help.”
In the meantime, IronArts will partner with local businesses and organizations to create safe spaces where the community can enjoy art and participate in making it. Our next event will be at the Negaunee Bandshell at the end of July where Jeff Jennings and Friends will put on a concert to raise funds for the organization. More details to follow, Watch for them at Ironartstheatre.org.
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