Letters: If harbor takes over artbuilding, programs may end

The Children's Art Program given by the Coast Redwood Art Association may come to an end soon. The land under the art building at the harbor belongs to the harbor and they may charge as much as they wish for the use of it.

The art building was purchased by the Art Association with money raised by rummage sales, salad luncheons, dinner auctions, donations and plain hard work. The addition on the back came into being through donations of materials and more hard work. The harbor commissioners will take our building free and clear as our lease on the land is soon up. They have raised rent on the land our building sits on from $180 a month to an exorbitant amount we would never be able to pay.

We can't pay the increase and it is to go up more each year. We don't sell that many paintings. We are here for people to enjoy an art experience both in viewing and classes for both adults and children.

When the harbor commissioners take over our building in January because we cannot pay the raised land lease, they have other plans for the upstairs classroom where the children's classes have been held. So, after 30 years of teaching children art both at the harbor and other locations, the children's art classes may come to an end.

It would really hurt to have to pay rent to the harbor for a building we have worked so hard to own even if it was an amount we could afford. We are not a business but a cultural asset to the community that may come to an end soon if the harbor takes over our building.

Dorothy Ishoy

Children's art teacher

Crescent City