“It takes a village to raise a child”, the origin of this popular saying is a mystery. Some people believe the saying originated in an ancient African proverb; others believe it came from a Native American Tribe. The meaning of this proverb; an entire community of people must be present, active, and accountable in children’s lives for those children to experience and grow in a safe and healthy environment.
The original proverb has been used to apply to many situations and activities. It is used to acknowledge peoples’ roles in the success of a project. The Cloverdale Sculpture Trail has a village of people willing to volunteer their time or talent, supporters who care about the non-profit project and most importantly people willing to lend financial support.
At our website we recognize the members of our village over the years, found under the tab The Past, Past Trails. If you look at the lists, you will see many of the same names listed each year. One is Janet Howell.
Janet was raised in Cloverdale and returned to Sonoma County after many years as the Director of the Carmel Art Association. Upon her return to Cloverdale, Janet established J. Howell Fine Art Gallery in Healdsburg. Janet immediately became involved with the Cloverdale Annual Sculpture in 2005, she was a judge, and continued each year taking on more responsibilities. This year, 2022, the baton of Trail Coordinator has passed into in her capable hands.
We are grateful for our Trail village which has allowed us to grow and be successful for 19 years.
The question might be asked, why support a public art exhibit in downtown Cloverdale? Public art matters because our community gains cultural, social, and economic value and uniqueness. Seventy percent of Americans believe that the “arts improve the image, identity and pride” of their community. Public art also ignites the imagination, encourages thought and prompts discourse.
We appreciate the help received over the years. A complete list of sponsors, donors and volunteers, from 2013 to 2022 can be found under each individual “Past Trail“.
Volunteers listed in 2022 is not complete as the 2022-2024 Trail is just beginning with installation on April 28th.
Just a Few of Our Amazing Volunteer Stories
Our volunteers, past and present, enjoy supporting the Trail, finding time around their family, job, and other commitments to give time to Trail volunteering. They also believe in public art, that it contributes to a community’s identity, fosters community pride and a sense of belonging, and enhances the quality of life for its residents and visitors.
Following are three stories to give you a glimpse into the Sculpture Trail world. Joyce, Trail coordinator.
Jude Gibson
I met Jude while she was taking photos of actors in the upcoming play at the Cloverdale Performing Arts Center. With a background in photography and as a videographer, Jude showed interest in the Sculpture Trail. Shortly after meeting Jude, she became our official Trail photographer and videographer beginning in 2013 and will be doing her last shoot and video for the 2022-2024 Trail.
Each year Jude would arrange for a day off to photograph our installations. This entailed numerous photos of installing each sculpture, a photo of each exhibiting sculptor and a photo of the sculpture with its creator.
For the sculptor video each year It is Jude’s job to come up with a theme, add images of each sculptors’ work, studio images and other materials. The hardest task is finding music that seems appropriate for each year’s video that is public domain, published before 1923 or original from a composer. Copywritten music comes with a fee and nonpayment could, as well, result in a penalty fee.
Photos at our website are Jude’s and her videos can be seen on YouTube.
Tony Chavez
Tony is an installation volunteer. He is very friendly and helpful when assisting sculptors which is appreciated. Tony is young and strong, meaning he is more qualified to help wrestle a sculpture off a truck or trailer. This is appreciated by the other installation volunteers.
As a jobholder Tony also must arrange for a day off to assist with installation. A story must be told about his dedication. After agreeing to assist with an installation a few years he went from a day shift to a night shift. Tony went from his night shift to installation working until 4:00 pm. Later I learned Tony had been up 24 hours. When asked why he helped at installation after 8 hours at work, Tony answered, I made the commitment to assist, so I assisted.
Penny Paden
Penny is a newcomer to Cloverdale arriving 3 years ago. Having researched Cloverdale and taken the Sculpture Trail, Penny decided to attend the Artists Reception in 2019. When an appeal for volunteers was given Penny signed up. Penny became the brochure stocker, restocking brochures in brochure boxes and on business counters. When restocking, Penny checks the sculptures for damage and removes broken brochure boxes for repair. Penny can be relied upon to keep brochures available for the public.
Honoring Our Volunteers
The 2003 to 2022 list is missing some volunteers as records have been lost. If we missed someone, please let us know and we will add them!
| Volunteer | Years with Trail |
| Virginia Ashurs | 2019 |
| Rick Baldomero | 2004, 2005, 2006, 2019 |
| Sam Beeson | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 |
| Shawn Bovee | 2018, 2019 |
| Holuléalani Bovee | 2019 |
| Anne Bradford | 2004 |
| Mary Ann Brigham | 2013-2022 |
| Harvey Brody | 2015, 2020, 2022 |
| Ron Brown | 2004 |
| Walter Byck | 2008 |
| Tony Chavez | 2019, 2022 |
| Claudia Chow | 2018, 2019 |
| Cloverdale Performing Arts | 2013-2022 |
| Sherri Corron | 2017, 2018, 2019 |
| Frank Coster | 2015 |
| Gay Dawson | 2005, 2007 |
| David Domeniconi | 2013, 2014, 2017-2019 |
| Tim Eischens | 2016 |
| Sandy Erickson | 2007, 2016-2022 |
| Wendy Free | 2005 |
| Charmaine Garland | 2016, 2017 |
| Jude Gibson | 2014-2022 |
| Marge Gray | 2003, 2005 |
| Susan Grossman | 2007, 2014-2018, 2020, 2021, 2022 |
| Julene Gurdis | 2003 |
| Yave Guzman | 2016, 2017-2020 |
| Joe Hawley | 2005, 2008 |
| Waren Houx-Shaeffer | 2014, 2016 |
| Janet Howell | 2005, 2006, 2013-2022 |
| Jim & Donna Hurd | 2003 |
| Bruce Johnston | 2005 |
| Jennifer Jordan | 2018 |
| Shelly Kennedy | 2006, 2007 |
| Ellen Knudsen | 2008 |
| Jude Lathford | 2016 |
| Debra Lehane | 2008, 2014-2017 |
| Chuck Mann | 2003 |
| Frank Miller | 2005 |
| Jean Moorey | 2007 |
| Kay Nelson | 2020 |
| Pauline Newman | 2003 |
| Steve Oliver | 2008 |
| Penny Peden | 2020, 2021, 2022 |
| Leslie Pengis | 2018 |
| Tedd Peterson | 2003-2016 |
| Jill Plamann | 2019 |
| Ron Rodgers | 2004 |
| Ron Segemund | 2003, 2008 |
| Carol Setterlund | 2005 |
| Lynn Small | 2016 |
| Bryan Tedrick | 2006 |
| Sandy Thompson | 2004, 2007 |
| Ina Tuck | 2007 |
| Jonathan Ungles | 2016 |
| Tracy Valva | 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 |
| Michael Vala | 2017, 2018 |
| John Valva | 2017-2019 |
| Bill Valva | 2017, 2018 |
| Paul Valva | 2019 |
| Al & Judy Voigt | 2008 |
| Lenny Vonhoogenstyn | 2018, 2021, 2022 |
| Albert Walker | 2003, 2012 |
| Catlin Walker | 2003 |
| Nancy Walker | 2003 |
| Patricia Watts | 2006 |
| Robin Wilkinson | 2019 |
| Kathy Zunino | 2014 |