Staff Reports
SAFFORD — On a mild April evening in downtown Safford, the Gila Valley Arts Council marked a major milestone: its 40th anniversary, or “ruby anniversary,” with a community celebration that reflected four decades of enriching lives through the performing arts.
The event, held on Friday, April 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ginaveve’s Marketplace in Downtown Safford, featured light snacks, conversation, and live music by local artist Chas Ornelas. It offered residents a chance to honor an organization that has quietly transformed cultural access in Graham and Greenlee counties since its founding.
Roots in the Gila Valley
The Gila Valley Arts Council (GVAC) was established in 1985 by four visionary women — Cecilia Roudebush, Mary Hartung, Monika Ragland, and Mary Barnmann — with a simple but ambitious goal: to support and sponsor visual and performing arts in the Gila Valley while showcasing local talent. What began as a grassroots effort to bring guest artists, ensembles, and orchestras to rural southeastern Arizona quickly grew into a vital community institution.
A turning point came in 1991 when Dr. Jack Kukuk joined the organization. A former Education Outreach Director at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and later involved with the University of Arizona’s Festival in the Sun, Kukuk became Artistic Director and served in that role for more than three decades until concluding his tenure in 2025. Under his leadership, GVAC brought internationally renowned performers to the valley — from Chinese acrobats and the Kremlin Chamber Orchestra to Ballet Arizona, the National Symphony Orchestra, and Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano. The organization also launched the popular Gila Valley Cowboy Poetry Roundup, which ran annually from 1994 to 2019.
In 1995, GVAC received the prestigious Community Award at the Arizona Governor’s Arts Awards, recognizing its outstanding contributions to arts education and community life.
A Lasting Impact on Students and Residents
Over 40 seasons, GVAC has presented 152 world-class acts and reached approximately 32,000 students through its hallmark School Residency Program. The program includes daytime workshops, master classes, mini-concerts, and bus-in performances tailored for local schools. Evening public concerts take place at the David M. Player Center for the Arts in Safford (operated by the Safford Unified School District since 2010), while free mini-concerts at the Safford-Graham County Library open the arts to audiences of all ages.
In the 2025-2026 anniversary season alone, the council reached 4,689 students and community members. The season launched in September 2025 with a Western flair, featuring the Kristyn Harris Band, and continued with a diverse lineup that underscores GVAC’s commitment to cultural exchange.
“Through partnerships with schools and community organizations across Graham and Greenlee Counties, the Gila Valley Arts Council has opened doors for students to experience world-class artistry,” U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani noted in a congressional tribute read into the House record on April 14, 2026.
Dedicated Leadership Today
Current leadership has been guided for more than a decade by President Tom Green and has a committed board that includes Treasurer Lori Rhinehart, Secretary Leslie Campos, Grants/Residency Chair Paulette LeBlanc, and liaisons representing education, Graham County, and Greenlee County. Their efforts ensure the organization remains focused on its core mission: promoting, supporting, and sponsoring performing arts in southeastern Arizona.
Looking Ahead with Gratitude
The ruby anniversary celebration was more than a party — it was a heartfelt thank-you to founders, volunteers, artists, donors, and the thousands of valley residents who have supported GVAC since 1985. As the organization enters its fifth decade, it continues to expand horizons, nurture young talent, and strengthen community bonds through the universal language of the arts.
For more information on upcoming performances, school programs, or how to become a member or donor, visit the Gila Valley Arts Council online at gvac.org or follow them on Facebook. In a region where big-city cultural opportunities can feel distant, GVAC has proven for 40 years that world-class arts belong in the Gila Valley — and the best is yet to come.
