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Icicle Creek Center for the Arts (ICCA) is pleased to announce that it has selected Philip Lacey as Executive Director, following a wide-ranging search in the fall of 2021.  Phil began his tenure at the beginning of 2022.

Phil is a well-known member of the regional arts community and a demonstrated proponent of artistic excellence and societal awareness.  Phil also has a history of helping arts organizations attain long-term financial stability.  Since 2013, he served various roles of increasing responsibility at Leavenworth Summer Theater (LST), including the position of Executive Director, and since 2017, as Managing Artistic Director of Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society.  In addition to greatly expanding both programming and support from the community, he inspired welcomed transformational changes in the areas of community partnerships, donor and member outreach, as well as implementing fiscal, administrative and artistic processes and standards.  During the pandemic, being keenly aware that art engagement is a source of comfort and strength, Phil helped Gilbert & Sullivan pivot to virtual performances and wisely coordinated actors, directors, and staff to safely bring LST’s “Sound of Music” performances to over 8,000 attendees.  Phil has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in Non-Profit Administration, and a bachelor’s degree from Whitworth University in Theatre Performance and Creative Writing.

Phil could not be more excited to join the team at ICCA. “I first visited the ICCA campus in 2007.  Astounded first by its gorgeous location, it was learning of Harriet Bullitt’s mission to create a world-class destination for arts education and performance that was truly impactful,” said Phil. “Since then, I hoped that someday I would have the honor of becoming Executive Director here.  ICCA has a reputation of excellence and I look forward to working with the board, staff, and artistic directors to safeguard Harriet’s vision for future generations.”

In making the announcement, ICCA Board President, Ellen Beardsley said, “Among the many candidates, Phil stood out for me as the most qualified candidate for the Executive Director position. Phil’s passion for all art forms, along with his leadership and strategic and financial expertise, placed him at the forefront of the intersection of arts, education and organizational sustainability. After the pandemic disruption of the last two years, Phil is the ideal leader for this exciting new chapter for ICCA.”

As with all live arts organizations, the pandemic has presented a major challenge for ICCA, but it also provided a wonderful opportunity. “When the pandemic hit, ICCA quickly became a leader among performing arts centers, mastering high quality virtual concerts and performance at a time when we all really needed art in our lives,” says Christine Morgan, Executive Director of the Icicle Fund, a partner nonprofit to ICCA. Phil echoes that thought. “Augmenting in-person experiences at the awe-inspiring ICCA campus with live-streaming and virtual performance potential will play a major role in the growth of our arts education and performance efforts, allowing us to connect with students and audiences of all ages across rural Washington and beyond. We have only scratched the surface, and I will be exploring that potential with the local and international artists and visionaries who continue to contribute so much to ICCA.”

“The Center will continue to inspire, support, and challenge the creative spirit of our region as we again are able to gather for concerts, performances, and retreats,” finished Morgan. “I have watched ICCA evolve over the years and, with Mr. Lacey at the helm, it will continue to expand and blossom for the good of our region.”

Located in Leavenworth, Washington, at the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, ICCA seeks to inspire and educate artists and to entertain audiences on its 13-acre campus. The arts facility boasts:

• Snowy Owl Theater, a LEED-Silver certified multi-use performing arts center,
• Canyon Wren Recital Hall,
• Meadow Stage, an outdoor performance venue,
• Cabins for artists, students and guests,
• Rehearsal spaces, and
• Practice huts.

Notably known as a destination for chamber music, ICCA also plays host to world class arts education programs, summer camps, and numerous collaborations with local artists and performance groups. Dozens of local and international artists work with the organization annually, providing once-in-a-lifetime experiences for hundreds of students and attracting thousands of audience members for unforgettable experiences.  To learn more about Icicle Creek Center for the Arts and upcoming programs and events, please visit icicle.org.

We love birthdays and in keeping with tradition we are planning to celebrate our dear friend and founder Harriet and her 96th birthday. This fun online party will be filled with messages from some of her favorite artists and showcasing highlights from the best performances over the years. The online stream is Thursday, September 10 at 6pm at icicle.org/birthday.

Artists include Lisa Bergman, Oksana Ejokina, Misha Myznikov, Matthew Baldwin, John Pickett, Overton Berry, Andre Feriante, Charles Robert Stephens, Henry Hettick, Arlene Wagner, Landon Davies, Mason Atwood, Olive Ryan, Gary Lumsden, the Marlin Handbell Ringers, along with a cameo performance from Harriet herself!

As always, there is no cost to attend and all donations collected from her party will go to support Harriet’s favorite cause – providing student access to the educational programs of Icicle Creek Center for the Arts. Your gifts will be appreciated and thoughtfully distributed throughout the year.

Join us for this special event as we honor this special woman, and the arts, virtually with YOU!

All events at Icicle Creek are officially cancelled until further notice in response to growing concerns over the spread of coronavirus.

The health and wellbeing of Icicle Creek staff, attendees, and community is paramount during this time. This, along with the recent announcement made by Gov. Jay Inlsee where gatherings are limited to 50 people, is why Icicle Creek Center for the Arts has decided to make this difficult decision.

Icicle Creek Executive Director Rebecca Ryker stated, “Our commitment remains being a responsible member of this community and to helping all of us to stay as safe and healthy as possible.”

Icicle Creek prides itself on spreading the vibrancy of the arts through many facets including, performances, exhibitions and most importantly, education where year-round programming impacts more than 5,000 students throughout North Central Washington.

Icicle Creek Center for the Arts will work hard to use the impact of arts to spread positivity during these trying times. Make sure to check emails, social media and other forms of communication as Icicle Creek will do all it can to maintain some sense of normality and its relationship with the Icicle Creek family.

During this time, Icicle Creek Center for the Arts encourages you to use precautionary measures such as social distancing, remain calm and follow the rules of the local government.

We encourage you to visit our website for the most current information.

Any questions may be directed to Rebecca Ryker, executive director, at (509) 548-6347, rebecca@icicle.org

14th Annual Leavenworth Ale Fest CANCELLED Over COVID-19 Concerns

Leavenworth, Wash., March 12, 2020 – The 14th annual Leavenworth Ale Fest, scheduled to be held in the Leavenworth Festhalle on Sat., April 18, has officially been cancelled in response to growing concerns over the spread of coronavirus.

In light of a recent edict from Gov. Jay Inslee limiting mass gatherings in Washington State, Icicle Creek Center for the Arts has decided to forgo the annual fundraiser which brings in breweries and craft beer enthusiasts from across the state each Spring.

“This has not been an easy decision to make,” said Icicle Creek Executive Director Rebecca Ryker. “But it is driven by a commitment to being a responsible member of this community and to helping all of us to stay as safe and healthy as possible.”

The event, which sold out in 2019, is one of two major fundraisers for the non-profit organization that presents year-round arts education and programming that impacts more than 5,000 students throughout North Central Washington. A portion of the proceeds would also have gone to the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum, which founded the event before passing it along to Icicle Creek in 2019.

“This is a financial hit to everyone involved – to this non-profit, but also to the Festhalle and to the City of Leavenworth,” said Ryker, noting that not only will they miss the opportunity to raise much-needed funds, but will lose thousands in unrecoverable expenses already made in the process of planning the event. “It is at times like these that non-profits need your support more than ever.”

All current Ale Fest ticket holders will be contacted and have the option to receive a full refund or convert their ticket purchases to a donation supporting Icicle Creek.

Normal operations and other programming scheduled for March will continue as scheduled, though Icicle Creek will continue to follow guidance from public health authorities as the situation evolves. The organization is taking measures to reinforce good hygiene and sanitization policies with staff, volunteers and visitors, as well as working with its janitorial service to ensure proactive sanitization of surfaces that the staff and public come into contact with. Visitors and event attendees are encouraged to stay home if they or anyone in their home are symptomatic.

Any questions may be directed to Rebecca Ryker, executive director, at (509) 548-6347.

Contact:
Rebecca Ryker, Icicle Creek Center for the Arts, (509) 548-6347, rebecca@icicle.org
Jamie Howell, Festival Director, (509) 679-6411, jamie@howellatthemoon.com