Kigalia Fine Arts has served for decades

by Janet Wilcox
Though one of the most isolated communities in Utah, for decades Blanding has promoted and supported education, music, preservation of history and excellence in the arts. 
In order to do this, significant efforts and sacrifice of time and talents were required. Fortunately, Blanding was blessed with many talented highly motivated people who cared about the arts.  Such community dedication aligns with Walter C. Lyman’s long-ago vision of Blanding as a center of education of all kinds.
In the late 1970’s, Kigalia Fine Arts, (promoter of music, drama, art and dance) was organized.  Kigalia’s Articles of Incorporation list the following as charter members of the initial board:  Gloria Barfuss, Janie Cushman, Alberta and Dr. L.L. Gibbons, Ellen Hurst, Barbara Kuipers, Mark Lyman, Martha Lyman, Reva Redd, Elizabeth Smith, Kent Tibbitts (treasurer) and Tony Wojcik.  
Another early participant was Joel Tate. He recalled: “Our family began buying season tickets and enjoyed the performances that came to Blanding. I believe that after two seasons, Jim Harris and Kent Tibbitts approached Patty Lyman and asked if she would like to be the president for the next year (about 2016).
“I agreed to do so and I was involved for many years in various positions with Kigalia. I loved the Kigalia Young Artists in Concerts programs,” she explained.  “They provided a way for Sterling Scholars to show their talents and skills as well as list their talents in their portfolios.”  Patty served on the committee for over 30 years and is still an honorary board member. She also recalled how the technicians were all high school students learning the tricks of the trade and how to run lights and cameras. 
For many years Kigalia included all “art” forms: music, writing, painting, pottery, etc.  They worked with art and pottery teachers who would set up displays of students and their own art.  Art teachers Nikki Safrit and Tony Wojcik promoted this.
Many local music teachers and performers were involved in these programs: Lori Metzenger, Sidney Christensen, Kallie Randall, the Grayson Girls, the Silversmith sisters and the Jeppesen family.
Debbie Christensen and Shan Redd were active in the group and helped with drama and melodrama productions. Local pianists/organists who helped included Idonna Cook, Margaret Shumway, Steve Black, Russell, Beverly Felstead and Austin Pincock.  
Art and photography displays were part of many programs and involved Tony Wojcik, Mike Porter, Lee Burningham, Andrew Warren, Kay Shumway, Brooke Pehrson and Josi and Richard Russell were also showcased for their writing and art.
Concerts in the park featured Clive Romney and international dancer Bonnie Romney. Other visits included the BYU International Dancers, Snow College choir, Mary Kay (a western singer) and the Bar D. Wranglers. 
Sometimes groups stayed in Blanding for several days while going to outlying schools to teach and perform.  Many local families provided bedrooms and meals for those groups and artists.
“It was an interesting experience for our children as they had a chance to get acquainted with new people, and even help feed them,” said Janet Wilcox.   
“Season tickets were $60 and the cost only went up $20 in 40 years”, Patty explained.  Kigalia worked with Derryl Jack of Monticello and the two communities had 12 shows per season.  Besides performing, many artists would go into the schools to help students and do workshops. 
Recently Kent Lyman performed and was one of those who worked directly with students.
Kigalia also secured a grant to have Barbara Robinson come to the schools and work with students on writing.  She is famous for showcasing the Herdman family in her book “The Best Christmas Pageant “, which was eventually made into a movie.
The Utah Division of Arts paid one-half of the cost of performing artists and the local organization paid the other half.
Kigalia also sponsored The Messiah, a tradition that began in the late 1970’s and continues to this day. Derryl would contact various artists and performing groups, inviting them to perform in Monticello and Blanding.
He recalls, “I spent quite a bit of time with this assignment. We had wonderful performers. Some of the most favorite groups were from BYU: The Young Ambassadors, Vocal Point, and Noteworthy. 
“We always had our largest audiences when these groups came. We had lots of help from local people with the Kigalia organization.”
Others who helped were Becky Larson, Debbie Acton and Lisa Carr.
Janet also recalls, “As a family we bought a season pass each year and it gave our children opportunities to see and learn about all kinds of music, dance, and other kinds of performances.
“I remember one concert in particular.  We were getting ready to go and we reminded the family about good behavior at the program, but our son Anthony wasn’t too keen on the idea and didn’t want to go but he was enamored with westerns and cowboys. I assured him that there would be cowboys there to hear the concert.”
Shortly after sitting down in the auditorium, he looked around the auditorium, then said in the loudest possible voice, “I don’t see any cowboys here!”
Drama, music, and dance were important parts of Kigalia’s yearly schedule and it gave all ages either an introduction or reminder of the value of the arts in people’s lives as it continues to do today.
As a community, Blanding was recognized in 1992 on the state level for its support of the arts, history, and drama.