You say you want a revolution

Well, you know

We all want to change the world.

Lennon/McCartney

I hope you have visited the Durango Arts Center recently and recognized the quality of work displayed. World-class artists exhibit at DAC regularly.

I also hope you have taken a class in our art studio from one of the many superb professional artists who teach painting, drawing, sculpture, photography and other arts. Did you take in a show in the Community Theater this summer? The Durango Herald Readers Choice poll recently selected DAC as the best live theater in our community. Last weekend, we presented the DAC 10-Minute Play Festival featuring original work created by playwrights from around the world who submitted plays to our third annual 10-Minute play contest.

Or perhaps you enrolled one of your children in visual or performing art camps this summer. I wonder if, like me, you have overheard visitors from places such as Tyler, Texas; Hastings, Neb.; and Tucson, Ariz., exclaim their hometown offers nothing like our arts center. Yes, the DAC has become one of the best small-town arts centers in America. Now we want to take the next step.

You tell me that it’s evolution

Well, you know

We all want to change the world

DAC wants to start a revolution – an arts and culture revolution. Durango is known for its beautiful mountains, river, railroad, bike and hiking trails, and all sorts of outdoor sports. But guess what? We also are an arts town. We boast wonderful architecture such as the Strater Hotel, which takes visitors back to another time. We support a vibrant artist community that produces exceptional work sought after by art collectors. We enjoy numerous professional galleries displaying and selling treasures large and small. Art lovers choose to move to Durango to participate in our vibrant art scene. DAC aspires to create an arts community equal to Santa Fe.

You say you got a real solution

Well, you know

We’d all love to see the plan

DAC plans special guest talks, presentations and workshops by nationally known artists each month. We will offer free master classes in visual and performing arts as well as professional development workshops offering instruction in the business of art, how to promote work, how to protect work and achieve income, how to publicize work and how to create a website. We want to create special events that will call attention to local artists and galleries, and bring art-oriented tourists to Durango. We want to attract more world-class visual and performing artists to Durango by creating an expanded market for their work. We hope to create a continuing discussion with the community to include revolutionary ideas on how to invigorate our Durango art world.

You ask me for a contribution

Well, you know

We’re doing what we can

All of this takes hard work, creative ideas and ... money. DAC recently received a $90,000 gift for this very purpose from a local benefactor. This generous donation was made with the provision that we raise matching funds from the community. DAC will begin our fundraising campaign Oct. 1 with the goal of raising $90,000 in 90 days for nine months of revolutionary art activity. Maybe we can change our world.

tjswan01@yahoo.com. Terry Swan is president of Durango Arts Center board of directors.