Curiously George

For many, PNWS and George Heath are synonymous. Twice he has served multiple terms as President. He has been in the driver seat for more than half of our organization’s existence. By rough calculation, I estimate his volunteer contribution is over the 4000 hours. That contribution has been epic.
More significantly, he is the Oracle of PNWS, a walking encyclopedia of our history, bylaws, and our membership. He has a story to go with almost any topic, all told with a smile and grace. He is a connector who thoroughly enjoys making introductions.
In January, our Board honored George with the title of President Emeritus in recognition of his long and selfless contribution to the organization. This is the first time we have awarded this honor. Over lunch at McMenamins Fulton Pub, I shared this news with George. His response was a characteristic big smile and a chuckle. When we all meet again, perhaps an annual picnic or other worthy face-to-face event, we will offer more formal recognition of his contribution.
Before lunch was over, I learned quite a few things about the man and the organization. George explained his first encounter with PNWS was around 2002. He offered a plan to create a website. (He built and maintained that site until last year when we launched our current site.) As things go in an all volunteer organization, one thing quickly led to another. As webmaster, he was also awarded the title of Vice President. By his description, he came to the presidency as did Gerald Ford. It wasn’t planned. Within months, the top spot was open and he was the default successor. He inherited a shopping bag full of receipts and the realization we had not filed tax returns in 3 years. He accepted the situation and fixed it.
When asked about his greatest satisfaction during his tenure, he cited an event at Maryhill Museum in Goldendale, Washington. This was a long weekend of exhibits, demos, collaboration and celebration of creativity. The eastern end of the Columbia Gorge was an excellent backdrop to feature our members, their works, and it provided an entertaining experience for visitors. George also noted the campsite comradery as everyone shared stories in the evenings and “cowboy coffee” over breakfast.
His attention then shifted from past to present. George is currently teaching classes at the Oregon Society of Artists. He’s sharing his monster-making techniques and insights with a crew of kids. A problem-solver by nature and a kid at heart, one can only imagine what one of these sessions must be like. If you have ever seen him at work, you understand how masterful he is at explaining when he has his hands on clay.
The quick smile and humor disguise another side of George. After his recent downsizing to an apartment, he has slowly rebuilt a workspace and began creating art again. We all know him for his monsters and cartoonish characters. But, early in his career, he created a series of anatomically correct, life-like beetles. His observation skills miss nothing. His interest in nature has brought him back to more realistic subjects. His newest fascination is the octopus. Hopefully we will soon see examples of this new direction.
Now that he has time again to explore and experiment with clay, he presumably will also have time for conversation and collaboration. Seeing his imagination at work should be as entertaining as it will be educational. I’ve invited him to my studio and look forward to a day of limitless imagination.
George has officially retired from our Board. He has earned and will always have our respect and appreciation. We should not let him or his knowledge go untapped. He is a treasure and an inspiration. I encourage everyone to seek him out and enjoy the humor, knowledge and insights he has to share.