THE DALLES – Another new leader has been named executive director of The Dalles Art Center (TDAC) and will focus on the gallery as an inclusive community center for people of all backgrounds.
Ellen Woods Potter said her focus will be to reconnect with the community through programs and partnerships. Her mentor, former director Sally Johnson, is still on the board.
Potter is not an artist herself, but she is a lifelong fanatic who enjoys collecting and experiencing the creations of others. “Community is my biggest passion, especially the one I grew up in, and I have a lot of experience in organizing and event planning,” said Potter, who returned to The Dalles after attending college in Texas.
Seeking ways to reconnect with the canyon through government and business, she served on the parks and recreation committee before joining TDAC as an education and public programs specialist in December 2023 and then becoming executive director in June of this year. It was “a great opportunity to create some really useful programs … and experience really cool local art,” she said.
With free admission, some affordable classes, need-based art camp scholarships and rainbow stickers on the front door, TDAC tries to welcome people of all backgrounds. “I really envision the art center going back to what it should be, which is a community center, a heart for the community, where people can experience art in so many different ways,” Potter said. “They can come and look at it, they can collect it, they can take classes and learn new skills.” Her biggest challenge is getting the word out about TDAC’s programs.
Anyone can also submit their work to the gallery shop. “We don’t judge the artworks, but we want to have things in our gallery shop that have the potential to sell.”
Most of the artists come from the canyon between Stevenson and Goldendale, but not all are local. The nonprofit is funded primarily by donations and grants from the community – and partly by gallery sales. Usually about 100 artists are featured, give or take a few.
Most of the regular customers are residents of the Gorge area, but also many tourists from the cruise ships.
Potter said she hopes to “diversify our clientele, diverse our membership and really make it clear that this place is for everyone and not just artists.” That means more partnerships with other organizations and businesses and reaching out to all communities in the Gorge, she noted.
“There was some discrepancy. I think the whole community is aware of it, and it’s something that’s not anyone’s fault,” Potter clarified. In recent years, different leaders have focused on different areas of service. Former director J. Scott Stephenson, who left in early 2023 due to a financial collapse that nearly closed the gallery, focused on public art installations. Johnson, his successor, helped restore TDAC’s finances and clean up its internal operations. “She was instrumental in keeping this place alive,” Potter said.
When asked what programs she would like to see at TDAC, Potter mentioned thriving educational programs for children, seniors and adults. Developing these was her first job at TDAC and she doesn’t want to lose that role. An assistant director will help with program planning once hired.
Auction price for the “School of Fish” party on September 6th at The Dalles Art Center.
Flora Gibson Photo
Potter and Johnson have both mentioned the mental health benefits of art since Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy declared an epidemic of loneliness last year — partly due to COVID-19. “I see that in our community, and it’s hard to socialize. We really want to be a place where everyone feels safe and welcome and is able to come and make those connections,” Potter said.
The TDAC is quiet and peaceful, she said, and on busy days there are only about two or three visitors.
Potter has a musical background and experience in high school theater and hopes to potentially bring more live music and immersive experiences to TDAC. “I’m trying to incorporate something more outside of the visual arts realm,” she explained.
Finances still look good and the nonprofit is setting aside extra money in hopes of avoiding another crisis like the one in 2023. Potter also thanked longtime donors who have been there “for many years” and the volunteers who maintain the garden and TDAC’s other activities for their constant support over the past few years of change.
The Dalles itself has changed since Potter’s childhood, she said. New people, new businesses and new connections have emerged. As the community has grown and changed, so has TDAC, and each new director has had to deal with different issues. “… although some people might disagree with certain aspects of each of us. I think it all builds on each other,” Potter said.
