Performing Arts Supporters
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, our mission is to support Florence’s Arts, Culture & Entertainment at the Florence Events Center, the most widely used performing arts center in Florence, OR.
Our goals for supporting the Florence Events Center (FEC) are centered around funding capital improvements for the center, creating performance grants for local nonprofit performing arts groups to perform at the FEC, and hosting engaging events that raise money for the FEC.
Funding Capital Improvements
A central part of our mission is funding capital improvements that keep the Florence Events Center in state-of-the-art condition. We work alongside FEC staff to understand what improvements they need and strive to raise the funds required to make those improvements a reality.
Providing Performance Grants
FACE gives performance grants to help our local nonprofit performing arts groups like school districts, Florence Children’s Repertory of Oregon Workshop, Last Resort Players, SEAcoast Entertainment Association, and others afford to use the performing arts center at the FEC.
Hosting Meaningful Fundraising Events
FACE hosts meaningful and engaging Arts, Culture & Entertainment events as fundraisers for the FEC. For example, each year FACE produces the Winter Music Festival, Indoor Yard Sale, Festival of Books, and other performances and events. And we curate the Art Gallery throughout the year.
FACE Values
You can count on FACE to support the coast’s best venue for Arts, Culture & Entertainment (and meetings, conventions, trade shows, weddings, and more) so you and your group can get the best value and highest satisfaction from your use of the FEC. We enjoy working with people and organizations that are trustworthy, dependable, vibrant, fun, high quality, enthusiastic, and engaging while carrying out our mission.
Join Us!
FACE members are leaders, doers, organizers, supporters, and cheerleaders for the performing arts center at the FEC and those who use it. We hope you will join us!
FACE the Challenges
Why We FACE It
How You Can FACE It
Meet The Board
Rachel I. Pearson
President: 2019-2021
Rachel and her husband arrived in Florence in 1993 with their family and started volunteering when her sons started preschool. Her special passion is for music, arts, and education for K-12 students. She has been actively involved in a number of local church and charitable organizations, including ABC Preschool, SEAcoast Entertainment Association, the Florence Community PTA, and the bands of Siuslaw Middle and High Schools.
In 2001 Rachel helped found the Florence Folk Festival’s “Kids Koncerts,” (now known as the Kiwanis Kids Concerts) and in 2016 helped modernize that Festival into its current status as the Florence Winter Music Festival. She was the first recipient of the Siuslaw Schools’ Volunteer of the Year award in 2010 and was recognized by the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce as the 2017 Florence First Citizen. In her spare time, she loves reading, hiking, cooking, hosting get-togethers, and walking with her very naughty Golden Retriever.
Ken Janowski
Vice President: 2020-2022
Ken had a 43-year career as an engineer, primarily in the aerospace industry. He and his wife retired to Florence in 1998 and were soon involved with local music, stage, and community organizations. He has also served on the boards of the Last Resort Players, the Community Chorus of Florence, SEACoast Entertainment Association, and was Parish Council president at St. Mary – Our Lady of the Dunes Catholic Church.
Ken was an original founding member of the jazz vocal ensemble the FloTones. He has been musical director at St. Mary for 21 years and has also sung with and conducted the Harbormasters Barbershop Chorus. He has appeared in most Last Resort Players musicals between 1999 (Anything Goes) and 2018 (Grey Gardens). He attended the Florence Habitat for Humanity formation meeting, serving on its board of directors including two years as president. His current responsibilities for FACE at the Florence Events Center include preparing all of the coming attraction PowerPoint presentations shown in the lobby and theater.
Bonnie MacDuffee
Treasurer: 2020-2022
Bonnie MacDuffee’s working years were as a financial analyst in Sacramento, California. She and her husband retired to Florence in 2002, and they have been volunteering at the Florence Events Center ever since. They have been active at Florence Food Share, the City of Florence, their church, the Elks Lodge #1858, and other organizations.
Bonnie’s philosophy of volunteering is to look for the best way to help in the greater Florence community, and she encourages others to do the same.
In her spare time, she enjoys bowling, reading, travel, and being with family and friends.
Bonnie considers it an honor to serve on the board of directors for Florence Arts, Culture and Entertainment.
Merrilee Mager
Secretary: 2019-2021
Merrilee spent 30 years in the banking industry, which gave her an eye for detail and attention to the bottom line of any organization. She and her husband moved to Florence in 2014 after 10 years of full-time RV living. She quickly got involved in the community by volunteering for the Elks, the Florence Police Auxiliary, the Friends of the Florence Events Center (now FACE) Festival of Books and is now on the board of directors of FACE. Merrilee’s special passion is focused on making handmade greeting cards, and in teaching others the joy of creation. She often donates her incredible cards to various fundraising events. Being a part of the community is a high priority for Merrilee. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, working in her yard, and traveling along the coast.
715 Quince Street
Florence, OR 97439