Siskiyou Arts Museum: Celebrates all those who have supported and helped build this non-profit art organization

Siskiyou Arts Museum (SAM) held a celebration in the tight-knit community of Dunsmuir to honor all those who have supported and helped build this non-profit art organization that has become as popular and renowned as it is today.

It all started on January 15, 2012, when Peter Arth and David Hicks approached Lauri Sturdivant with the idea of opening an art gallery, which ended up becoming the Siskiyou Arts Museum. Peter Arth bought the building at 5827 Dunsmuir Avenue that was built in 1925 and has housed many businesses over the last 100 years. After the last two years and with the help of about 150 donors, Siskiyou Arts Museum purchased the building from Peter Arth, who graciously sold it to the organization below the current value.

Barbara Cross, one of the original founders of SAM, has supported the museum above and beyond with her love of art and the Dunsmuir community, and was also acknowledged. “This is a part of my life that is so meaningful and so much fun,” says Cross, accepting the plaque and cutting the cake along with Peter Arth. Later, she adds, “Siskiyou Arts Museum is a miracle in this kind of small town. You can’t find anything like this, and it is run by volunteers. It is a true success story.”

Joan Steel, another founding member, announced, “One of the best things Barbara Cross did was to drag Ernie Wasson here to get involved. I bet everyone here has an Ernie story.” 

Ernie Wasson is the current board president of SAM. And, as one of the main speakers during this event, he told how their opening of each art exhibit on the second Saturday of each month started the citywide event of ‘2nd Saturday Dunsmuir’, along with other meaningful stories and how this popular art gallery has contributed to this town and brought attention from afar. He also added how other businesses in Dunsmuir have also supported Siskiyou Arts Museum.

About 75 community members, artists, and others who have supported SAM through the years were invited to this catered gala. Lauri Sturdivant says, “People in Dunsmuir always show up. That is why we are so successful. Arts are important, and everyone here knows that.”

The Siskiyou Arts Museum is still raising funds for a new roof and electrical wiring improvements. Mossbrae Hotel donated an Ann Kinkade painting that sold for $2,000, and Bee Kind Bakery made the celebration cake for the event. Board member and head curator, Lindsay Handley, came up with a fundraiser of supplying about 45 local artists with a 10 X 10 canvas to paint and give to SAM to sell in this month’s exhibit for $100 each. Most are already sold.

For information about Siskiyou Arts Museum, visit their website at www.SiskiyouArtsMuseum.org. The gallery is located at 5827 Dunsmuir Avenue, Dunsmuir, CA. They also have a one-of-a-kind gift shop of art from local artists.

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