About
Thornapple Arts Council History
The Thornapple Arts Council of Barry County was founded in November 1985 by Sue Drummond with help from John Fehsenfeld and many generous supporters behind the scenes. 25 years later, Thornapple Arts Council members, volunteers and staff maintain their vision to spark creativity, community and culture through programs and education that bring personal enrichment and quality of life to Barry County residents.
The Thornapple Arts Council was a completely volunteer organization until the fall of 1998 when the first part-time managing director was hired. Today the TAC has an executive director and a part-time program coordinator with continued volunteer community support.
Click here to view Mayor Exchange PowerPoint Presentation.
Thornapple Arts Council Mission
The mission of the Thornapple Arts Council is to enrich Barry County through arts and culture by fostering education, appreciation, and participation of the arts.
Thornapple Arts Council Staff
Megan Lavell, Executive Director
Kathleen Crane, Program Coordinator
Allison Danis, Office Assistant
Email: exd@thornapplearts.org
When corresponding with us via U.S. mail, please use this address:
Thornapple Arts Council
P.O. Box 36
Hastings, MI 49058
Thornapple Arts Council Board of Directors
Tom Wiswell, President
Kari Orcasitas, Vice President
Sandy Nichols, Treasurer
Dave MacQueen, Secretary
Carol Jones Dwyer
Joe LaJoye
Nancy and Kirk Pasche
Robert Brandt
Joan Bosserd-Schroeder
Stacey Willshire
Deb Hatfield
Shéree Beduhn Newell
Shauna Swantek
André Wiegand
Stephan Marzolf
- Join the Thornapple Arts Council for a guided tour of the most popular entries in the 2010 Art Prize Competition. This year’s Art Prize runs from September 22nd through October 10th and we will be making two trips to Grand Rapids to view selected works from this International competition. Our bus will depart from Hastings heading to downtown Grand Rapids for an afternoon tour of the most popular Art Prize Entries and will featur...e insightful narration by Steve VanDuine, Kendal Art Student and owner of VanDuine Design. The tour will offer viewing from the comfort of a bus, as well as stopping 2-3 times to allow participants to exit the bus to get a closer look at some of this year’s beautiful works. Currently we have two dates scheduled… Saturday 9/25: Departing at Noon from Commercial Bank (Formerly Mainstreet Savings Bank) Returning around 4:00pm Sunday 10/10: Departing at Noon from Commercial Bank (Formerly Mainstreet Savings Bank) Returning around 4:00pm Reserve your seats now for this guided tour! Due to bus capacity, seating is limited to 30 people per trip and tickets will be sold on a first come first serve basis. Tickets are $15 for all ages and may be purchased either online at www.thronapplearts.org or through the Thornapple Arts Council Office. For more information please contact the Thornapple Arts Council at 269.945.2002 or exd@thornapplearts.org.
- Join the Thornapple Arts Council for a guided tour of the most popular entries in the 2010 Art Prize Competition. This year’s Art Prize runs from September 22nd through October 10th and we will be making two trips to Grand Rapids to view selected works from this International competition. Our bus will depart from Hastings heading to downtown Grand Rapids for an afternoon tour of the most popular Art Prize Entries and will feature insightful narration by Steve VanDuine, Kendal Art Student and owner of VanDuine Design. The tour will offer viewing from the comfort of a bus, as well as stopping 2-3 times to allow participants to exit the bus to get a closer look at some of this year’s beautiful works. Currently we have two dates scheduled… Saturday 9/25: Departing at Noon from Commercial Bank (Formerly Mainstreet Savings Bank) Returning around 4:00pm Sunday 10/10: Departing at Noon from Commercial Bank (Formerly Mainstreet Savings Bank) Returning around 4:00pm Reserve your seats now for this guided tour! Due to bus capacity, seating is limited to 30 people per trip and tickets will be sold on a first come first serve basis. Tickets are $15 for all ages and may be purchased either online at www.thronapplearts.org or through the Thornapple Arts Council Office. For more information please contact the Thornapple Arts Council at 269.945.2002 or exd@thornapplearts.org.
- Join us at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute this Sunday, Sept. 12 from 11 to 2 for an Artist Reception featuring Ladislav Hanka and his exhibit, Visions of a Wandering Naturalist: Etchings and Drawings of the Trees, Fish, and Birds.
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- Just found out we won 1st place in our category in the Hastings Summerfest Parade on Saturday! Thanks to the Thornapple Jazz Orchestra for donating all their talent and time!