Grace Songolo and Chris Trout were the founders of AAI. They got together recently and found themselves reviewing some starter realities. How do you lay out the foundation for an organization that is member funded, nationally recognized, and a major attraction for a small mountain village where art is a major focus of the community? Let’s listen in.  

1. Introducing the AAI with a major event.

Chris: “Hi Grace, how are you today? I’m trying to remember how many glasses we bought for the first Art Walk and Wine Tasting.”

Grace: “We thought 100 glasses would be plenty, but we ran out quickly. I had to send someone to Fairway to get some paper cups. Imagine paying for a ticket and getting a red paper cup.”

2. The process of becoming a legitimate art organization.

Grace: You really worked hard to make AAI non-profit How long did it take you???

Chris:  “They didn’t understand that art organizations benefit the entire community. We borrowed some legal talent from Pasadena and everything got straightened out.”

3. Learning how to create events appropriate for the community and its visitors.

What do we do next…….what works for both the galleries, the artists?

Chris:  “Do you remember how many Wednesdays the board spent around my dining room table just creating interesting events and deciding on the AAI mission.

Grace.  Especially “The Egg and the Eye”. That was a sellout. Jean Lubin manned the entrance and there was a long line.

Chris:  Oh that’s right…..my Hawaii artist and architecture friends let me attend their once a year event and with a little adjustment, it worked in Idyllwild.

Grace:  And I remember offering you a beer to come over and brainstorm about another event, “The Sunday Morning Art Cafe”.  

Chris:  Yep and we had to share because you only had one beer. It was art education at its best. David Salk actually brought out his wheel and let folks get the feel of working with clay.

Grace:  And then there was the challenge of building a relationship with Idyllwild Arts.

Chris:  Bill Lowman helped with that event, “Students in the Gallery”. We met with the students and their instructors and helped them prepare for a private show in one of the AAI galleries.  

Grace:  And we noticed quite a few uncles, aunts and grandparents making their first art purchase in Idyllwild.

4. How do we get the word out…..get noticed? How do we build on the reputation of Idyllwild Arts?

Chris:  You did a great job preparing a Welcome lunch….. around a table in your gallery for John Villani …the author of 100 Best Art Towns in America.  It felt wonderful to let our innkeepers know that they could expect more guests once the book was published and promoted.

Grace:  And it didn’t hurt when you won the title as one of the Top 25 Fine Craft Galleries in the US.

Chris:  That was just the beginning Grace. Look at the amazing and productive artists and galleries that have truly put Idyllwild on the map as an art destination.  To say that we are thrilled with the progress and growth of the AAI isn’t quite enough. It is our legacy and gave meaning to our purpose for being there at the right time.