Why Artworks is important | Letter

Published 2:18 pm Tuesday, February 10, 2015

The beautiful, historic Strawberry Barreling Plant commonly known as the Olga Artworks building has been a local treasure to the Olga and Doe Bay communities since the late 30s and a special place to my family for over 70 years.  Most know the building was ravaged by an arson fire in June of 2013 and has been in the throes of rebuilding ever since.

Not only does this building provide a beautiful place to display and sell the works of about 40 talented Orcas Island artists known as the Artworks Cooperative and the James Hardman Gallery, but it also contains a small café that gently pulls in tourists and residents of Orcas alike to mingle, chat and enjoy a delightful meal.

I’m hoping you will join me in helping the nonprofit stewards of the building, the Olga Strawberry Council, complete its construction by Feb. 28 by donating one of three ways:  through the Community Foundation or by check made out to the Olga Strawberry Council sent directly to PO Box 214, Olga, WA 98279 or through its website at www.olgastrawberrycouncil.org utilizing PayPal.

This building is a very important economic, social, historic and artistic mainstay of Orcas Island and the small hamlet of Olga.

Rick Hughes

Orcas Island