As a graphic designer with a creative edge as a potter and a mind for business, a local volunteer has put her juxtaposed skill set to good use at the Prince George and District Community Arts Council for more than a decade.
Karen Heathman of Indigo Design retired as a graphic designer a year ago and has volunteered in the past for organizations like the Prince George Conservatory of Music, the Prince George Symphony Orchestra, Prince George Community Foundation, Coldsnap Festival and the Prince George Potters' Guild.
Once she retired, Heathman decided pottery and the Community Arts Council would be her focus.
"I really like to help because I love that the Community Arts Council helps up-and-coming artists get established," said Heathman. "So there's a place for them to go and learn and exhibit and collaborate. The Community Arts Council also connects artists and art with the community and that way people in the community can learn how much fun it is and how healthful art can be and that's why I've focused on the Community Arts Council."
Heathman believes that artists should be paid for their art and their work valued like anything else. The Community Arts Council is a strong advocate and hosts regional artists in their popular Artisan Gift Shoppe, at Studio 2880-15th Ave., that offers a wide variety of unique art work including wood turned items, paintings, metal work, jewelry, fabric art - some of it wearable, pottery, and glass work.
"I think it's very important that artists be compensated for the work they do," said Heathman, who has always done art throughout her life. "Art is work just like plumbing is work, electrical is work, just like carpentry is work. I believe artists are often undervalued in the community and I feel very strongly that the Community Arts Council advocates for them."
Heathman does graphic design work for the council like redesigning the logo, creating posters for various events and helping train the staff.
"I like to think I bring a business acumen to the organization tying the arts to business because it's really important for us to be businesslike and I always like to bring those kinds of attributes forward," said Heathman, who sells her pottery at the gift shop. "How can we make this organization more successful? How can we make the artists who participate more successful? And I promote the CAC in the community."
The council has seen a lot of changes and has overcome many challenges in their history.
"I've watched them struggle and I've seen them succeed and I think right now they've got one of the strongest teams they've ever had," said Heathman. "And right now they are building on all the success that has come before. The CAC was a really small organization and has gained a much broader focus now than they ever had before. Change is healthy."
Heathman knows that art is very important in everyone's life.
"It surrounds people in everything they do and supporting their local artists just makes their community stronger, which leads to community pride and also a diversity that is really important for the strength of a community," said Heathman. "When I think of the Community Arts Council I think that's what they try to do on a day-to-day basis."
Event and project manager Lisa Redpath relies on Heathman for an objective perspective in many situations.
"Karen is the first one I call," said Redpath. "She's just so creative, both in her graphic design work and in her pottery and her participation within her own guild."
Redpath appreciates the business sense Heathman brings to the Community Arts Council and knows how important it is to have an advocate for the artisans that come through the doors when it comes to seamlessly blending art and business.
"It's been a fun journey, that's for sure," said Heathman.
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