You might be wondering… GAAG …what’s that?
Mayor Ritchie Jacobson coined this acronym for the Gackle Arts Advisory Group. Its actually a funny play on 
words. If you have ever tried to work with a group of artists to sit down and make a decision it can sometimes make you want to gag…you know, they have big egos, strong voices and highly emotional personalities. I’ve had the pleasure of this experience many times and while it can sometimes be painful it is always fruitful.
GAAG met for the first time on January 30, 2008. The group was formed as a result of Gackle’s new Strategic Plan. The first goal of the group was to develop new signs to identify our town and welcome visitors. The parameters were that the sign be simple, adaptable and within the $1500 budget provided by the Northwest Area Foundation Horizons grant.
Despite several notices in the newspaper, the turnout for the meeting was small but it was strong on talent. Four attended, Ritchie Jacobson (retired Jr. High art teacher), Dennis Terhark (professional sign painter), Deane Fay (professional artist) and Sally Jeppson (art gallery manager). The “guys” all went to art school together at what is now Minnesota State University Moorhead. Even with only four, the discussion was spirited. Ultimately the decision was made to keep the sign “clean, elegant” and with a “flexible” design that would allow for “tag-lines” to be added as Gackle’s “sense-of-place” evolves.
An important distinction was made in the wording…instead of Welcome to Gackle, the sign will read GackleWelcomes You, a phrase, the group felt was much more embracing and inclusive–a theme we, as a town, would like to strive to achieve.
GAAG hopes to attract more members and will actively recruit the crafters and art-lovers that weren’t present at the first meeting. Look for this group to develop some arts activities this summer and to help put an “artistic” spin on community beautification.
