Kelseyville >> Marie Beery was rendered quite literally speechless Thursday night.
At the Saw Shop in Kelseyville, the Lake County Arts Council (LCAC) presented the restaurant’s owner with a plaque to recognize the extraordinary amount of work she does for the local arts community. She also received a proclamation from the Board of Supervisors commending her efforts, which have been ongoing from the moment the business opened it’s doors.
On July 1, 2001, the Saw Shop swung open the doors for its first day of business. Though many people know the locale for mouth-watering dishes and wide variety of local wines, the building was actually exclusively an art studio for its first year of operation. It wasn’t until the second year rolled around that Beery had the idea to display art while also running a bistro.
Fourteen years later and she’s still going strong. And there is still local art decorating the walls.
Beery’s contributions to the Lake County art scene go much farther than hanging local artwork on the restaurant’s walls, though. She doesn’t take a cut of the pieces she sells and all last summer the restaurant hosted weekly poetry readings. But her biggest effort comes every September when she raises thousands upon thousands of dollars at the Lake County Wine Auction. One-third of whatever they bring in is divided evenly between the county’s five local high schools to benefit their arts programs.
Supporting art in schools is a cause Beery feels especially passionate about. She remembers when she was in school, when students never had to hold fundraisers for band competitions or sports uniforms. Today, funding is so limited that many schools are being forced to cut their programs.
“I think sports and arts both are big functions of students’ growth,” Beery said. “It’s a big growth process with kids and it’s so neglected.”
The Saw Shop also gives funds to various local programs, from the performing arts to the youth orchestra. In 15 years, Beery estimated that her restaurant has contributed over $1.2 million to local organizations.
And yet, when the LCAC told Beery they were going to recognize her efforts, she told them she didn’t want it.
It was partly because she was embarrassed, and party because she doesn’t see what she does as something worthy of praise. She simply enjoys giving back.
“It’s my little space in the world,” Beery said. “You can’t do much about the big wide world but this little space you can try to take care of and make it a better spot.”
Regardless of Beery’s humility, the arts council was dead set on handing over a plaque. When the San Francisco Chronicle met with Beery to write up a feature on the county highlighting local spots, Beery went to great efforts to ensure the arts were included.
She mentioned local gems like the Soper Reese Theatre and the First Friday Fling at the Main Street Gallery.
“She wanted everyone to know that the county was full of things to do and a lot of creative people live here,” said Conni Lemen Kosla, LCAC President. “Knowing that Marie is of that frame of mind I said to our board that I thought we should stop and take a moment to recognize her for all that she’s done over the years in running the gallery and helping the artists display their work .”
This marks the first time LCAC has given a plaque of recognition to a community member. Under Kosla’s lead — she joined the board as Acting President in February and was voted in as President this month — they plan to begin showing their appreciation for art supporters multiple times a year.
“This is a start for us to make a better statement about Lake County Arts Council and how we as leaders can step up and start to truly allow people to be recognized,” Kosla said. “We need to show the community how we’re recognizing people that help us make a difference. We can’t do it alone.”
Choosing who gets the next plaque may be difficult — there are a number of individuals who do an exemplary job promoting the arts around the county — but the arts council won’t make the decision lightly.
“We want to make sure that they’re deserving, it’s meaningful and that they’ll have a legacy as we continue to build arts for the community, the children and the adults,” Kosla explained. “It’s proven that with the arts you build a stronger economy.”
Jennifer Gruenke can be reached at 900-2019.
