February 11, 2010

RDDA launches art show membership drive

The Ritzville Downtown Development Association, over the past four years, has hosted a successful Memorial Day weekend event that attracts new visitors to Ritzville and the historic downtown business district. The non-profit organization’s mission is to work year-round to promote and support the community’s federally recognized historic business district along Main Avenue.

The Historic Ritzville Days Western Art Show is the culmination of hundreds of hours of volunteer efforts to create a first-class event that helps Ritzville diversify and stimulate its economy through tourism.

The annual funding for this event is generated through local tourism funding from the City of Ritzville, proceeds from the association’s art auction and direct investments from individual supporters and corporate sponsors.

Organizers of the event are currently reaching out to businesses and residents seeking renewed support of the annual event. Previous supporters will receive a membership renewal form in the mail. Other businesses in the area will be contacted in the coming weeks in an effort to garner more support for the growing event.

Individuals can support the event with an investment of $25. An entire family can lend their support for a $50 contribution. A premier supporter of the event is $150.

The business sponsorship levels are: bronze, $250; silver, $500 and Platinum, $2,500. The contributions are tax deductible and checks should be made payable to the Ritzville Downtown Development Association.

This year the Historic Ritzville Days Western Art Show Committee is excited to present an expanded Memorial Day weekend event that has something for the entire family. The art show committee expects an audience of 2,000 to 2,500 people during the event’s two days.

In addition to 55 of the Pacific Northwest’s best western and wildlife artists, the event will have national caliber western entertainment, educational art-related activities for children, a street dance Saturday night and entertaining demonstrations including chainsaw carving and trick roping.

The entire event remains free to the general public.

As part of program, The RDDA is proud to provide a fully-funded artist in residence program to the Ritzville School District. The RDDA, through sponsor investments, funds the expense of bringing an artist/educator to the district to lead elementary and high school students through hands-on art projects.

Then on Saturday and Sunday, May 29-30, during the event, a free Youth Art Project Center is available to children of all ages. The project center is led by a Spokane artist and features several projects children can complete and take home.

The RDDA’s Board of Directors feels it’s important for Ritzville’s merchants to have new opportunities to increase their revenue as the community works to survive during the current economic downturn. The RDDA also strives to introduce the historic downtown business district and the city’s growing public art program to tourists and travelers.

Anyone interested in supporting the Historic Ritzville Days Western Art Show can do so by sending their contribution to: Ritzville Downtown Development Association, P.O. Box 432, Ritzville, WA 99169.

The membership form is available for download at http://www.ritzvilledowntown.com.

For additional information, contact RDDA President Bruce Benzel or send the RDDA an e-mail at: info@ritzvilledowntown.com.