By Brandon Bennett
STURGIS — The Sturgis Area Arts Council does much to promote the arts, with plays, concerts, musicals and artwork in downtown Sturgis.
Now the council is in the beginning stages of a $150,000 fund drive to make things even better. SAAC president DeDe LaRue and treasurer Francie Ruebel-Alberts appeared before the council at its meeting July 6th to lay out what they had in mind:
“First of all the building is 35 years old and things in the theater are starting to wear out. But when it was built we were ecstatic that we finally had a place for the community to meet for either a performance or a discussion or what have you,” said DeDe.
She recounted how the Arts Council raised money for seating and the curtain.
“As time went on we refurnished the green room, bought a new sound system and a grand piano. We refinished the stage floor as well,” she said.
There are still things that need to be done. The curtain needs to be replaced and could cost $37,000.
The spotlight used for performances needs replacing as does the carpet in the aisles.
“We’re calling this the three Rs…Replace, Restore Renew. So the Sturgis Area Arts Council has voted to raise $150,000,” she said.
She said she’s asked for ideas on how to raise funds and someone suggested a New Year’s Eve ball.
LaRue added they’ve received their first donation check do they’re pleased about that.
Francie Ruebel-Alberts joined in and stated the theater is used all the time for classes, political forums, and of course events like Big Band concerts musicals and plays.
Another project presented was a couple of statues similar to the one of Colonel Samuel Sturgis by the soccer fields.
The council is working with sculptor Ed Hlavka on a statue of Pearl and Pappy Hoel astride an Indian motorcycle. He’s in the concept stage right now and it would possibly be on the west side of town along with a statue remembering the former Sturgis Livestock Exchange on the south side.
“The sculpture of Pearl and Pappy celebrates what Sturgis has become and the one of the Livestock Exchange would remind us how it was such a part of the community,” said LaRue. This was just informational.
