Greetings from the Sitka Center's 

New Executive Director

Jalene Case 

Sitka Staff: Jennifer, Mindy, Ernie, Dawn, Jalene, Rebecca

A quote from a poem came to mind as I pondered how to share this news with you. 

"There's a thread you follow. It goes among /things that change. But it doesn't change." - "The Way It Is," William Stafford

Paying attention to the thread weaving through my life has led me to be Sitka's next executive director, and I am grateful and exhilarated to step into this new role.

My path with Sitka began in May 2008 as a student in "Praise the Process, Squash the Critic" with Lauren Mantecón. During that workshop, I fell in love with the place and when  I heard about the program manager job opening, I thought, "That's the job for me!" On my third interview, Eric Vines (previous executive director) led me on a hike up Cascade Head and as we sat drinking in the view from the headland, he offered me the job. I was so excited my feet barely touched the ground as we hiked back down the mountain. That's exactly how I felt when I was offered this new position!

The thread I've been following is a snug connection with Sitka's mission. Wholeheartedly, 

I believe in the value and expression of creativity in our world because solving our world's challenges will come from new, innovative thinking on every level. Sitka is a place that stimulates and nurtures the creative side of people, the side that believes anything is possible.

The Sitka Center inspires people to give themselves permission to experiment, play and imagine by painting wildly abstract pieces and delicate realistic images, photographing vast landscapes and grains of sand, carving slowly into wood and quickly sketching a fern, making prints with bold strokes and detailed marks, writing memoirs and delving into current stories, identifying and harvesting local mushrooms, exploring the history and nature of local estuaries and so much more. People may simply learn a new skill and perspective 

or they may feel a deep sense of transformation. Knowing we offer these experiences for people excites me!

When people nourish their creative selves, our world is a brighter place.

Is there a thread running through your life that connects with Sitka? Help us continue nurturing exploration and learning by becoming a member, donating now and/or contributing to a sustainable future for Sitka through our endowment - details here. 

Let's work together to make our world better!

You're welcome to call me at 541.994.5485 or email me at jalenecase@sitkacenter.org.

In gratitude,

Jalene

P.S. Head to our news release for more details.