A BREIF HISTORY OF PFAC

1976 - Arlinda McLaughlin approached Spike Jorgensen about bringing in performing artists for the schools. In May of that year the Utah Symphony, conducted by Maestro Maurice Abravanel, performed a one hour concert in the high school for the students and community members. At that time, there was no auditorium in Pinedale, so the symphony performed in the Pinedale High School gymnasium, where the audience was seated in bleachers and every folding chair that could be found in town. Businesses closed their doors for the morning performance and volunteers prepared a buffet meal for the performers.

From this first performance, programs and residencies were scheduled into the schools and plans to build an auditorium began.

1982 - School District #1 was recognized by the Kennedy Center through their National Alliance for Art Education as one of outstanding schools in the nation.

1983 - Pinedale Fine Arts Council received The Governor’s Arts Award for the Outstanding Arts Organization in the state.

1983 - Applied for Federal 501(c)(3) Non-Profit status.

1987 - Bond issue passed for Fine Arts Center and Pinedale Auditorium was built.

1988 - First Season in the new auditorium. No more dragging, hoisting and scooting Army surplus foot lockers full of lights from the basement and back again.

1989 - PFAC and the community raised money for a grand piano for the auditorium. Subsequent fundraising to purchase a spotlight.

1989/1990 - The Pinedale Elementary was designated a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. A strong component of the school receiving the award was its arts education programs developed in conjunction with the arts council.

1998 - Hired our first full time Executive Director.

2000 - PFAC received the Millennium Arts Award from the National Endowment for the Arts for an artist in residence for the state of Wyoming. The award funded artist Don Kennell, who worked with the community to create 3 sculptures: Hatful of History, the Quilt Mural in South Tyler Park, and the High School A-Z display where students’ work is mounted annually.

2002 - Co-Founder Jo Crandall receives Governor's Arts Award.

2004 - Completed Kresge and Tegeler Challenges and fulfilled commitment to establish an endowment for PFAC with The Wyoming Community Foundation.

2005/2006 - PFAC presented our first Broadway touring company. They performed Gentleman Prefer Blondes. 

2014 – PFAC launches its first week-long Summer Arts Camp for kids. 

2018 – PFAC launches a new suite of Dementia Care art classes, including fine art classes called “Here and Now” and a storytelling program called “Timeslips”