DIDSBURY - The Mountain View Arts Society (MVAS) board and members have decided to dissolve the society, bringing an end to the annual Days of Yore festival in Didsbury and other large-scale community events, say officials.
“We have experienced what many other organizations have gone through, basically that the volunteer of 2011 is not the volunteer of 2024,” the society interim president Doug Giesbrecht said in a letter to Mountain View County and the Town of Didsbury.
“Please know that this decision made by the members was not made lightly. Suffice it to say that MVAS never fully recovered from the social impacts that began long before the pandemic, and that continue to this day.
“It is with a sense of sadness that we must let you know the MVAS board of directors and their membership are moving forward on the dissolution of the arts society.”
Founded 13 years ago, the society has spearheaded the Mountain View Arts Festival, A Brush with Art Show and Sale, 10 years of Days of Yore and other activities.
“Besides hosting these annual events, we helped promote arts, dancers, musicians, writers, photographers, songwriters, actors, photojournalists and artisans,” he said.
“We raised awareness of the value of the arts, and also the value of providing opportunities for residents to become active, creative and engaged volunteers. For that, we are very grateful.”
Longtime society member Kathleen Windsor said the lack of volunteer support made the dissolution necessary.
“It’s such a big organization that you need volunteers to step up and they weren’t,” Windsor told the Albertan.
Didsbury mayor Rhonda Hunter said she plans to comment on the matter during this week's council meeting.
