Nomination of Kim Ewoldsen, 104 Randall Drive, Morrison, IL, 61270; 815-600-6267; director@morrisonareadevelopment.com.
Nominated by Stephanie Vavra, 15683 Hazel Road, Morrison, IL 61270; 815-535-7005; vavra@mchsi.com.
Kim Ewoldsen deserves to be recognized for her strategic, revitalizing leadership. She led Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce for nearly eight years, before simultaneously directing Morrison Chamber of Commerce and Morrison Area Development Corporation (MADC.) Her strengths lie in
- transforming innovative concepts into reality
- enlisting enthusiastic, continuing, support personnel.
In February 2016, she attended a Main Street conference, focused on utilizing what you have, to build economic growth. An idea began to grow. In early 2017, she led a discussion about about bringing an “art trail” or arts-based entity to Morrison. That led to a Town Hall meeting in March, which led to the creation of a Steering Committee to explore creating a permanent retail setting for area artists. In June, MADC approached the City Council about establishing an Arts, Cultural, and Entertainment District; they unanimously approved this resolution.
Kim worked with several members of the community, the Steering Committee, artists, art enthusiasts, media, and others to create an awareness of art-based events in Morrison. More than 20 years ago, committed citizens created Paint the Town, Morrison’s largest City event outside of the County Fair. Kim worked with original members of a Citizens for Art Preservation (CAPA), the nonprofit that oversees Paint the Town, to further leverage interest in arts-based events for Morrison.
The Steering Committee worked with a local couple who wanted to buy a building and lease it back to MADC, to allow for the creation of the retail arts center. In December 2017, Loft 112 opened with eight artists selling; there are more than 50 now.
Kim initiated a collaborative partnership with Woodlawn Arts Academy in Sterling, to offer art, music, and private voice lessons at Loft 112 in Morrison. Since opening in December 2017 through Loft 112.
MADC took short-term ownership of Loft 112, from late 2017 through December 2018, in order to facilitate the immediate opening of a gallery and to fund that endeavor.
earned Morrison a Governor’s Hometown Award in 2018. One notable factor was that the gallery functions entirely on volunteers.
The Loft on Main is a thriving not-for-profit business, with $32,000 in sales in the first 15 months. The popular gallery also has led to a renewed interest in downtown Morrison.vavra@mchsi.com