DIRECTOR’S NOTES
Another year is coming to a close as I sit to write this note. It’s a time for celebration and anticipation, an opportunity to reflect on the events of 2006 and also look toward the future.

It has been an active and event-filled year at the Elverhøj. During the last twelve months we have welcomed 11, 346 visitors, presented seven gallery exhibitions, and offered 22 classes. Our receptions and special events have drawn thousands of people, many of whom were first-time guests.

An assortment of committees, made up entirely of volunteers, have met to guide and assist with all variety of museum operations. Their insight, expertise, and enthusiasm provide invaluable contributions towards preserving the history and heritage of our community.

For me personally, 2006 has brought great rewards and challenges. I have had the pleasure of working with such interesting and talented artists and art enthusiasts, community and cultural advocates, and members of the local, national and international Danish community. The laughter and smiles of children creating art during Saturday classes, community members toasting a new exhibition, or visitors finding information about their family and cultural heritage have provided me great pleasure. The challenges have kept me invigorated, motivated and striving for a broader recognition of Elverhøj’s contributions and role within our community.

I look with eagerness to the year ahead. But always I hold close the support, friendship and kindnesses that are shared with me by so many of you.

Glædelig Jul!

Esther Jacobsen Bates

FUNDS GRANTED

The Elverhøj Museum is supported by a variety of local foundations and organizations. Their gifts provide funds for special projects and purchases and are a major source of funding.

The Santa Barbara Foundation recently awarded the Museum a $970 capital grant to fund the purchase of a digital camera and a flat bed photo/slide scanner. Additional funds were made available through a partnership between the Santa Barbara Foundation and the James Irvine Foundation Communities Advancing the Arts Initiative and the Board of Trustees awarded Elverhøj full funding of a mini-grant of $3,000 to be used for marketing and promotional materials.

A grant proposal submitted to The Wood-Claeyssens Foundation was recently approved. It will provide funding for a new phone system and for archival supplies for sorting and storing some of the collections and artifacts. An unexpected additional gift of $730 brought the grant total to $5,000. The phone call informing Executive Director Esther Jacobsen Bates of the good news came the same day that the main office printer failed. The additional gift was used to purchase a color laser printer and an external hard drive for the main computer. What great timing!

SOLVANG EXHIBIT NEAR COMPLETION

Among the permanent exhibits at Elverhøj is the Solvang Room. This area features historical information, a model of the Atterdag College, and a screening of the informative and entertaining Solvang Families video.

For more than two years teams of volunteers have been working on renovations and updates to the exhibits. A centerpiece in the renovated space will be a new swinging panel display presenting the history of Solvang in text and pictures. The Valley Foundation provided funds for the new display unit and committees have worked for more than two years to identify people and locations in archival photos for use in the display. Research of Solvang’s history has also involved several committees, a UCSB intern and a dedicated team of volunteers. Sponsorships have been secured from Premier Imaging Products and MIS Associates. Premier Imaging is providing the archival paper and MIS Associates is donating the archival carbon inks for the photos and text pages on the display.

Look for information regarding events and activities celebrating the opening of the new exhibit in April of 2007.

OTHER NEWS

The annual Christmas party was a huge success!  More than 850 Danish open-faced sandwiches were prepared and enjoyed by about 300 guests. Greeting visitors at the door were Sandy Gregersen, Esther Jacobsen Bates, Carol Johnson and Kate Nielsen. Docents Wee Woodward, foreground, and Lois Vind were among the twenty volunteers who participated in Christmas decorating festivities at the Elverhøj.

Docent education includes trips and excursions. Pictured in the Air Force One Pavilion at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum are volunteers Jill Clevenger, Bob & Else Lassiter, Wee Woodward, Marie Jaeger, Clara Ehrsam, Grethe Larsen, Agnes Larsen, Kate Nielsen, Knud & Elisabeth Jacobsen, Barbara Weber and Beverly Smith.

Elverhoj hosted the Queen of Arts Show and Sale during Veteran’s Day weekend. Over 800 people visited and shopped, enjoying the creations of 39 area artists and craftspeople. Shown are 3 shoppers modeling their newly purchased felted wraps. Queen of Arts Show organizer Syd McCutcheon (left) is pictured with artist Karin Trub.

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