Its obituary was written six years ago.
But the remaining board members of ArtsConnect, a nonprofit promoting the arts, culture and heritage in the Tri-Cities, held on for another year to get it to its 50th anniversary, in 2019.
Then the pandemic hit and, like many organizations, ArtsConnect laid low.
Now, a well-known arts leader who grew up in Coquitlam wants to breathe new life into the once-vibrant umbrella group that, not so long ago, had an executive director, funding from the municipalities and the provincial government, and a mission to bring people, businesses and the creative community together.
For the past few months, Gregory Elgstrand, a former curator at the and a Dr. Charles Best Secondary graduate, has been gathering information and building a vision in his new role as president of .
He’s been speaking with artists and supporters about what’s needed to relaunch the organization, as well as poring over past materials donated.
