The ACTF staff and I recently completed a much belated spring cleaning at The Studio on Symons. While I was dealing with some minor ceiling repair, I happened on a section of what was the original ceiling from when the building was in use many years ago. This section was complete with the original looking paint color and schoolhouse style light fixtures. It had been covered up by renovations performed as the building's purpose changed over the years.
Well, it got me thinking of history of the building which I have been told started as a neighborhood grocery store supporting the domestic life of the residents of the ABC houses that went up during the war years. This thought reminded me of one of my favorite quotes from Sir Winston Churchill. "We shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us".
He was speaking to the House of Lords in 1943, convincing them to rebuild the House of Commons, damaged during the bombings of that war, back to its former splendor.
When I learned of our building's origins on Symons Street, I wondered, why build a block away from the thoroughfare of Jadwin Ave. Someone said it was to connect the grocery store to that part of that neighborhood community. The grocery store, as an off-shoot of the general store, was still a place that was at the core of domestic life. It was where shoppers could secure the items that made life - livable and allowed opportunities to stay connected with their neighbors.
So how does this tie into us?
I can't help but see a corollary between building the Mid-Columbia Performing Arts Center and both the community grocery and Churchill's Government building. If Churchill was correct, and I know he was, then shaping (i.e. design and construction) of the Mid-Columbia Performing Arts Center building will, upon completion, shape our community.
There have been some questions raised recently about the size and location of our proposed Arts Center, to which I reply... We all know that the arts have the power to shape the human spirit, which I believe aligns with Churchills core point. The physical structure is not necessarily what shapes us, it is the result of people gathering together for a common purpose that does. Debating laws that create a civilized society in Churchill's case or sharing arts and culture in our case. It is the outcomes that shape our humanity, feed our creativity, support and enrich our lives and nourish our community's heart and soul. Pretty lofty goals for a humble performing arts center but I know it will be up to the challenge.
Blake