La Center Arts Council asks council to include arts in long-term city planning, highlights programs and partnerships

La Center — Chrissy Du Bois, presenting for the La Center Arts Council, updated the City Council July 9 on the council’s recent work, membership efforts and partnerships, and requested the city include the arts council in long-term planning for a permanent arts space.

Du Bois said the Arts Council has achieved nonprofit status, runs recurring arts workshops, supports youth art projects (including a middle-school mural called Hawks Landing), collaborates with La Center United on parent-and-child classes and provides face-painting for community events. She described recurring programs such as a community art session (Bristles and Nibs) held on first and third Saturdays and twice-monthly wheel-throwing sessions.

Du Bois said the arts council is working with the Cowlitz Tribe, La Center School District and the city on public art and hopes the city will include a permanent arts home in its development plans. Council members expressed support and asked staff to coordinate outreach to property owners for potential mural sites; Du Bois said she and the arts council will continue to coordinate with the city.

Why this matters Arts and cultural programs contribute to community identity and education and often factor into downtown and public‑space planning. The arts council’s request to be considered during long-term planning is a request for formal inclusion in future project scoping and public‑space design.

What’s next Staff and the arts council will continue coordination on public art installations, youth programming and potential placement of a mural on a private building, subject to property-owner approval.