Wy’East Artisans Guild Keeps Local Art Thriving on the Mountain

For decades, the Wy’East Artisans Guild has supported local “art, artists, and artisans” throughout the greater Mt. Hood area. Residents know the nonprofit for their stirring public art or their regular art classes, but perhaps their largest impact comes from nurturing the skills and showcasing the talent of some of the area’s most respected artists.

The Mountain Times sat down with Communications Chair Becky Hawley to discuss the nonprofit’s history and legacy, its upcoming public reception, and its goals for the future.

“The original Guild was formed to sell the work of its members,” says Hawley. That modest pursuit quickly blossomed into full-fledged community outreach as the Wy’East Artisans Guild (WAG) gained momentum and members. In 2008, the collective doubled down on their community fellowship when they reformed WAG as a 501(c)(3).

Classification as a nonprofit opened innumerable avenues to work alongside their community. Not only can they apply for federal grants, but Guild donors can get tax deductions for donating their hard-earned money.

Donating to a collective like WAG is a smart investment in your community, too. Funding the arts is proven to boost the local economy. According to Americans for the Arts, “In 2022, nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences generated $151.7 billion in economic activity. The impact of this economic activity is far reaching, supporting 2.6 million jobs, generating $29.1 billion in tax revenue, and providing $101 billion in personal income to residents.”

Of course, that’s just a statistic. The real-world impact of those donations is evident to anyone who passes through Sandy and the surrounding areas. As Hawley recounts the Wy’East Artisans Guild’s triumphs, it’s impossible not to be impressed.

“WAG created a gallery wall in the Sandy Actors Theatre, where we have art shows in conjunction with four to five plays per season. Artists may sell, or just show, artwork. Our art adds flavor to the lobby,” says Hawley.

When members of the Guild underwent chemo, the Guild started Solace in Silk, a project that saw the artists “hand-dye hundreds of silk scarves to support [the cancer patients] in their journey. We also had members crochet and knit Happy Hats & Cozy Caps.”

Working through the Sandy Arts Commission, several WAG members “used our networking knowledge to restore two murals in Sandy: the Pioneer Mural on the side of ACE Hardware and the Historical Logging Mural on City Hall. Guild members and community volunteers cleaned, repaired, and repainted [these two murals from the 1990s].”

WAG’s public art efforts didn’t stop at restoration. They resolved to add their own mark to the city. In 2020, they got their chance when Hawley spearheaded “Better Together,” a 120-foot-long mural that sits opposite Centennial Plaza in the heart of the city. “I designed and painted it,” says Hawley, “with help from community volunteers. People say they walk by and see things they had not noticed before.”

As the organization has developed, their sights have turned to the next generation. Last summer, WAG worked in conjunction with the Sandy Historical Museum to begin art classes for grade school kids.

Hawley says, “In the first class, the children each designed something for me to add to the mural. I also had several students come and paint along. It was a wonderful project and experience for everyone. Thanks to a grant from the Clackamas County Cultural Coalition, the museum can now offer free classes.” Interested in participating? You can sign up through the Sandy Historical Museum’s website.

“The children’s classes are especially gratifying to me, and to other volunteers,” says Hawley. “We enjoy passing along our knowledge and artistic passion.”

Even with so much on the Guild’s plate, individual members still find time to follow their individual artistic pursuits. That talent is currently on display at the Sandy Library, where WAG’s annual art show will run until June 8.

On April 21, you can even stop by the Library at 6 p.m. for a public reception, where Guild artists will speak about the art presented. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get in touch with the region’s most passionate artists.

After a vibrant history promoting artists and supporting their patrons, the Wy’East Artisans Guild is at a pivotal moment in its history. Even with decades of community service in their rearview mirror, Hawley has growing concerns about the Guild’s future. “Most of our members are retired, some can’t drive at night, and our meetings are not as well attended as they once were. Are we going to be a Senior group and make accommodations, or are we going to find another, more creative solution?”

You can get in on the discussion by joining the Wy’East Art Guild for its monthly Guild Gatherings at AntFarm Cafe on the third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. between September and May.