Merrily Dicks, KAC Historian
Re-2007
As I read through the boxes and pages of reports, minutes, committee notes, newspaper articles, magazine stories, letters, registrations, and newsletters, I am reminded of the creative spirit of the people involved in the formation of the Creative Arts League. It was truly a unique time with a truly unique group of people.
Bob Dylan’s song “The times they are a-changing” seemed to fit the atmosphere of the 60’s and what was happening in Kirkland. The conservatism of the 50’s was fading in the country, revolutionary changes were beginning, the times were exciting and turbulent, a time of technological and sociological change, a time of assignations, civil rights, gay and women liberation, a controversial war in Vietnam, the first manned landing on the moon, peace marches, Eastern religious influences, flower power, the space age. The Creative Arts League was a part of that change, fostering new music and literature styles, offering classes, lectures and space for artists and patrons to experience art in their own way. Bill remembers, the people of Kirkland wanted more from their town. People on the Eastside were beginning to take an interest in historic buildings; so many buildings in Seattle had been demolished to make room for new sleek high-rises. Kirkland was ready for something new, for expanding awareness. He was a leader with a vision of what Kirkland could become and he offered that vision inspiring the people of Kirkland (to work their butts off).
A 1987 Kirkland Courier interview with Bill Radcliffe and Glen Greer*
“During his years in Kirkland, Radcliffe not only founded the Creative Arts League, now a still-flourishing Creative Arts Center, but he also started an unusually successful community art gallery, the Cellar Gallery*……. An early supporter of the Creative Arts League, Glen Greer, remembers Radcliffe as “the original instigator of the concept” – a creative arts center for Kirkland. “It was an exciting time in Kirkland,” said Greer, It wasn’t really an urban area as yet……. The formation of the Cellar Gallery and the Creative Arts League shocked the Seattle Arts community. But Bill Radcliffe was not shocked. Then as now he believed that the community had a need for its own art gallery and a center to encourage the arts. People were hungry for something like that on the East Side of the lake,” he said.
*Glen Greer, Director of the Cellar Gallery, Kirkland’s first art gallery, founded by William Radcliffe.
*Cellar Gallery 1957 - 1977
William Radcliffe founded the Cellar Gallery in 1957, and at the time “there was no place on the Eastside for emerging artists to show their work.” At that time, he was Lake Washington School District’s Art Director, and taught adult painting classes.
Join us this weekend and visit the Peter Kirk Building in beautiful Kirkland. See the amazing work happening at Kirkland Arts Center and CAST YOUR VOTE to preserve this historic site!
Mike
kacsandy
cablegriffith
bridgettezzard
ucgeorgie
laurenerlinger
kirklandartscenter
aartikac
