“You need a village, if only for the pleasure of leaving it. A village means that you are not alone, knowing that in the people, the trees, the land, there is something that belongs to you, waiting for you even when you are not there.”

—Cesare Pavese, The Moon and the Bonfire

Community Interviews

It takes a village to make the vision of Panther Creek Arts come to life. This ongoing project documents the stories and voices of those who are connected to the history and the story of The Hall. Volunteers, friends, and audience members alike discuss topics including their experiences volunteering at Panther Creek Arts in various capacities, a particularly memorable event/show/concert they’ve experienced at The Hall, their thoughts on the purpose and value of the organization as a fixture and meeting place in the community, their dreams for the future Panther Creek Arts and the village of West Fulton, and more.

Linda LaViolette

A West Fulton resident of 30 years articulates how the spirit of Panther Creek Arts radiates throughout the community— offering the feeling of the “open door” to everyone— music, culture, delicious food, good company— all available right here in the village.

Boris McGiver

on childhood memories of The Hall and the incomparable function of a meeting place in small town life— “If you Build It, They Will Come”

Mary and Gary Hamm

discuss their long-time family history in the area and relationship to volunteering in various capacities at Panther Creek Arts.

Judy Cid and David Smyth

express how The Hall meets a vital need in the community for a public gathering space, a concept that has seen great decline in the past 50 years.

Wilson-Hecht Family

Volunteers, organizers, patrons— the Wilson siblings discuss the value of jumping in to lend hands in whatever way is needed, the joy in communal dinners, concerts, clown workshops, and more.

David Hill

is a kindred spirit to the arts, David recalls happening upon the town of West Fulton and growing to feeling at home coming to The Hall.

Greg Blum

remarks on the details behind the vision for the restoration of The Hall and what it took to get everything up and running.

M.L. Geiger

tells of the unlikely coincidence of running into people throughout NYC who happen to have a connection and relationship to The Hall, Panther Creek Arts, and West Fulton.

Joan and Tom Brooks

West Fulton native Tom recalls a turkey supper at the Hall in the 50’s, and how that longstanding tie to the community is strengthened by the modern iteration of the Hall.

Marika Hughes

comments on how The Hall serves as the town Piazza of West Fulton and expresses hope for the ongoing vitality of small town life.

Ellen Lauren

on treating the word “community” as an action and a verb, and on what it means to have The Hall as a fixture in the town.