Umpqua Bank Awards Grant to WCCLS Art of the Story Festival

The Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS) is pleased to be the recipient of a $2,500 grant from Umpqua Bank in support of the 2015 Art of the Story Festival. This 11th annual festival will once again serve as a local celebration of national library week, April 11 –18, and will feature five master storytellers.

A goal of the festival is to foster an appreciation for the role that the oral storytelling tradition plays within families, communities and cultures. The festival draws the generations together from across Washington County and beyond. It is a true community festival - attendees follow from venue to venue - building friendships, exploring communities and enjoying each of the 15+ customized performances. Nicole Stein, Vice President of Community Responsibility with Umpqua Bank explains the banks support, sharing that "as the west coast's largest community bank, Umpqua Bank believes that we have an obligation to support local communities and invest in their future. We know the critical role that education plays in the long-term success of youth and are excited to be able to support the Art of the Story Festival, especially since storytelling is a great way to build vocabulary and enhance literacy for youth in our communities."

The festival format provides a foundation for cultural learning, offering storytelling workshops, a story swap and a museum partnership with a family history gathering workshop. Prior years have included historical recounting of WWII internment and 442nd military tales, personal adventure and ghost stories, stories from a range of cultures, including Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Latino, African, Native American, and Jewish.

The WCCLS Art of the Story Festival provides region-wide exposure and continues to build audience and prestige. Admission is always free and programs are designed for adults, and where noted, appropriate for ages 6+.

Mark your calendar now for this annual tradition: April 11 –18, 2015. It is already a favorite of over 1,500 attendees from throughout our community.

Bookmark the festival web page to stay up to date on the latest details: www.wccls.org/festival.

The Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS), includes the: Banks Public Library, Beaverton City Library, Beaverton City Library @ Murray Scholls, Cedar Mill Community Library, Cedar Mill Community Library @ Bethany, Cornelius Public Library, Forest Grove City Library, Garden Home Community Library, Hillsboro Public Libraries (Main and Shute Park), North Plains Public Library, Sherwood Public Library, Tigard Public Library, Tualatin Public Library, and West Slope Community Library. (www.wccls.org)

Image: Gabe Norris, AVP and Store Manager of Tualatin Umpqua Bank awards the $2,500 check to Julie Wickman, a member of the WCCLS Art of the Story Festival planning committee, and Library Program Specialist with the Tualatin Public Library.