Villager MAR 08 grid.indd - Tubac Villager

Plaza Road in theVillage of Tubacwas the culminationof the dreams anddedication of thoseartists/explorerswho bestowed sucha great deal of theirtime and resourcesto make it allhappen.By the l980s TCAwas holding severalart exhibitions eachseason and there wasa small gift counter that carried itemsof interest for sale to the visiting public.It was another exciting time of growthin the Centers’ history. It was duringthis time that a need to expand becameapparent.Jim Sprague and his wife, Lois,moved to Tubac 25 years ago. Jimexplained that the moving van hadhardly backed out of their drivewaybefore an acquaintance of his urgedJim to volunteer at the Center. Bothhe and Lois became active volunteersand eventually Jim joined the board ofdirectors. Once he was on the board,he quickly discovered that one of hisTCAresponsibilitieswas to head thefundraising effortsfor an addition tothe building. Aninnovative way toraise funds wasimplemented atthat time. Folksfrom throughoutthe area wereencouraged tocollect and savealuminum cansand a “can festival”was held on the grounds of TubacSecret Garden Inn. Everyone broughttheir aluminum cans for recycling anda big picnic was held that includedlots of good food, beer, wine and localentertainment. It was a fundraisingevent that lasted for several years.It was also during that time that Tubacresident, Will Rogers, Jr. offered toshow a silent film made by his fatherthat included the young Rogerschildren. The only building big enoughto hold a large number of people wasa brick building owned by St. Ann’schurch. Leila Pearsall, owner of Tubac 41 42