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Home About Us B2B Club Breaking News Contact Donate Events / Programs Feedback Ideas Incubator Industry Clusters Links / Resources Progess Funds Progress Teams Public Art / Murals Publications		Breaking News August 4, 2004 - Speech helps inspire artists, supporters By ANTOINETTE RAHN, Daily Tribune Staff Members of the local arts community say they were inspired Tuesday by a conversation with one of their biggest benefactors. Jaylee Mead of Washington, D.C., spoke about forming strong partnerships, embracing innovative ideas and celebrating the wealth of art and culture available in south Wood County. Mead, 74, is the wife of Gilbert Mead, whose grandfather co-founded the former Consolidated Papers. The couple has long supported artistic efforts in south Wood County. The Tuesday meeting was hosted by the Community Foundation of South Wood County (CFSWC) at Hotel Mead. CFSWC is a partner in the Community Progress Initiative which seeks to create an innovative vibrant community. "I thought this event was wonderful," said Julie Wolcott, coordinator of the Central Wisconsin Cultural Center in Wisconsin Rapids. "I think it's so important for us to get feedback from Jaylee Mead, as well as Gilbert. I think having them talk gives us the rejuvenation to keep applying for grants, keep blowing our own horn and telling people about all the great things we do have in this community. "Not only do they obviously care about this community, they are people who support and are extremely active in the arts in their own community of Washington, D.C." Mead was one of the first women hired by NASA. She worked for the agency for 33 years, holding positions such as mathematician, staff astronomer and assistant chief of the Laboratory for Astronomy & Solar Physics. It was during the couple's time at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center that they became involved in community theater. "When Gil and I were there, we got involved in a community theater group called MAD, Music And Drama, because you know NASA has acronyms for everything," Mead told the group of more than 50. "We presented musicals in our recreation center. This (theater) organization enabled people to have their first taste of being on stage and being involved in theater and was a great way to learn (about) working in a small town. "What we really learned from this organization was teamwork and leadership. When you tap people's talents and they explore these talents and use them in a way they get applauded or complimented for, they just feel better about themselves, and in turn it helps the whole community." Mead has served as a board member for organizations such as Studio Theatre, Helen Hayes Theatre Awards, Carnegie Institution of Washington and Washington Regional Association of Grant Makers. She and her husband also are founders - along with Arizona residents Ruth and Hartley Barker - of the Barker Mead Fund at the Community Foundation of South Wood County. Ruth Barker and Gilbert Mead are cousins. Kelly Lucas, chief executive officer and president of the Community Foundation, talked Tuesday about her own admiration of Jaylee Mead. "My observation of Jaylee is that she is a wonderful human being. Her wisdom and compassion for others are traits that are both to be admired and inspired," Lucas said. During the gathering, representatives of various arts organizations, including some that have received grants from the Gilbert and Jaylee Mead Family Foundation, talked about examples of current partnerships in the arts community, and they discussed tips for grant applications. Mead told attendees about the factors she considers when deciding whether to provide grants. "I look at three things when making a grant ... Am I passionate about what people want to do, do they have a visionary leader who can lay out the way to do something and third, do they have a good business staff behind them," Mead said. "Another thing is building collaborations. To me that's one of the biggest things you can do." The discussion was pure inspiration, said Lois Cantin, operations manager for Wisconsin Rapids Community Theatre. "I'm always thrilled to see how we can all work together," Cantin said. "I think to have someone like Jaylee and Gilbert Mead care enough to come and share with us is very meaningful. "We need that support, especially now." You can reach Antoinette Rahn at 422-6726 or arahn@wisconsinrapidstribune.com.
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