Seven local educators receive art grants for youth programs in Upper Valley

LEAVENWORTH — Upper Valley Empty Bowls (UVEB) has announced seven recipients for its 2025 Art Grant program, continuing a 28-year tradition of supporting youth arts education in the Cascade School District.

The organization, which has distributed more than $22,000 in art grants since its inception, awarded $3,000 in funding this year to local educators across multiple schools and artistic disciplines.

The 2025 grant recipients include Lore Smart for ceramic arts at Icicle River Middle School, and Kerry Siderius, who will implement tie-dye and various art and drama projects at both Icicle River Middle School and Cascade High School.

Additional recipients are Shandra Holm, who will conduct silk screen projects at Home Link; Heidi Flake, developing model magic clay science and art collaborations at PD Elementary; and Amber Zimmerman, who will explore blacklight art at Alpine Lakes.

At Beaver Valley, two educators received grants: Alexis Ciri for a school-wide "whimsical Wednesday" initiative and Eric Tiegel for fabric marker projects.

UVEB's history dates back to October 1996, when local potters Nancy Petersen and Jeff Hilton established the organization to combat hunger and foster community engagement through art. The initiative began modestly in Sheila and Carl Bergren's garage, where volunteers gathered to decorate bowls while serving soup from crockpots connected to power strips.

In its first year, UVEB awarded $500 to the Cascade Education Foundation, marking the beginning of its commitment to supporting youth arts programs in the community.

The organization accepts grant applications each fall, with winners announced before the new year. Information about future grant opportunities is available on the organization's website at www.uvemptybowls.com.