Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Gibbs. Them and their team share their story with us below:
I moved to Utah from upstate New York in 1996 for the deep powder snow. I grew up in a loving, fun family of seven, of which I am the baby. I adore the outdoors; hiking, biking, skiing & snowboarding are essential to my happiness. I have been creative since a young age, in advanced art classes, and graduated from college with a degree in Studio Arts. I always have an art or garden project in the works. I am currently obsessed with natural dyes and creating tinctures and potions with herbs I have grown in my garden or foraged in the wild.
I became involved with Alta Community Enrichment (ACE) by attending events in the winter of 2000 and then was asked to join the Board of Directors when I moved up to live in Alta. In 2004 I accepted a job with ACE as the Programming and Marketing Director. then in July 2006, I accepted the job as Executive Director and have never looked back! I love my job, I say I have the best job in all of Little Cottonwood Canyon and possibly anywhere. I also sit on the Utah Avalanche Center and Alta Chamber and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
My life mostly has been a smooth road, I am beyond lucky. I grew up in a close, loving, and outdoorsy family in a small town. I have experienced a divorce, and a loss of a sister, a dog, and a few friends. Those all mostly happened within a year and a half, which was a bit rough. I had no idea that losing my dog would be so hard, it felt like my heart was ripped out of my body. He was my best friend (and an avalanche dog).
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
ACE’S MISSION:
Alta Community Enrichment’s (ACE) mission is to create opportunities in arts, culture, and education for the enhancement and well-being of the Little Cottonwood Canyon community.
ACE’S VISION:
Since 1997 ACE has been our community’s committed, premier arts entity. ACE aims to create an engaged community by bringing people together, empowering them to share and experience art, culture, and education. We provide opportunities for free or very little cost for community involvement, welcoming visitors, and supporting the local economy.
Most people know us for our weekly events, but we do not just provide events; we have an Alta School Outreach Program, Grant Program to support community endeavors, Artist in Residence Program, Creative Placemaking Program, and a Community Outreach Program.
What sets us apart from others is that we are COMMUNITY. All of our events are made for or suggested by community members, taught by all local teachers, and diverse enough to bring out folks of all ages, and no experience is required to participate in any event. ACE maintains small class sizes that enable an intimate environment where participants have access to one-on-one instruction.
I am proud of way too many aspects of ACE but our Creative Placemaking program was a huge step for us. Our first mural was in 2017 and now we have a total of 3 murals in town AND a community flag! Not many folks realize that Alta is a town, with a school, a mayor, a post office, etc. We aim to enhance our community identity and personality while providing excitement and sense of place, inspiring pride Public art is a great way for people to connect to their community and a great way for people who visit Alta to feel a part of all things Alta. It’s free and open to anyone 24 hours a day.
From July 1st, 2021 – June 30th, 2022, we offered 136 art, culture, and education events and 73% of those are for free.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Joining us at any of our year-round events, teaching for us, and always donating to ACE.
Pricing:
- FREE
Contact Info:
- Website: altacommunity.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alta_community_enrichment/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AltaCommunityEnrichmentACE
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGXVkDUjp_NbyTqIKBpeU4A
Image Credits
Images (mostly) by Rocko Menzyk
