Pres. Buffalo resigns from KRVAA

It was about two weeks ago when Christopher Buffalo Folsom handed his letter of resignation, from his presidency, to the Kern River Valley Art Association (KRVAA.)
"I don't remember exactly the day that it was. It was about two weeks ago. I handed my letter to Laura Tran," he told the Kern Valley Sun on Monday, February 3.

While speculation flew wildly about the community, regarding his reasons, and rumors and suppositions, Buffalo set the record straight with his own version of events. "When I took over the art association, as president, I had no idea how long I was going to be in that position. And because of different times, and things going on, there were many times that I thought about - what could I do? What have I accomplished? When can I move myself out? Because four years, for no pay; that was because I believed in what we were doing, for the community, and for the Art Association."

According to Folsom, during that course of time, there were challenges and a couple of times he wondered who would be willing and able to take on the job next. However there was no one willing to take over the presidency. So he stayed a little longer. And Folsom said that he feels fabulous about what the association was able to accomplish under his leadership. Although Folsom makes it clear that he does not take credit for what the association has accomplished, under his presidency, but gives credit to all of his volunteers, and the KRVAA members. "It's been a great ride. And I feel really good about everything we accomplished," he said.

Folsom noted that he is very grateful to the KRVAA Vice President, Laura Tran, who is now acting as Interim President and will only be holding that office briefly. "Laura's been with me probably the longest out of the group that's still part of the board. And it's been a challenge for her, because she has kids, and lives on the other side of the lake. I would say she's been a mainstay," he said.

Buffalo also expressed gratitude toward his previous Vice President, Brent Puniwai, who passed away not long ago. "My favorite thing about Brent, was I would come up with an idea, and his mind automatically took off."

Folsom also said he was grateful to the KRVAA bookkeeper Karen McLaughlan who has done a great job for the association.

The original intent was for the KRVAA to have an election every year that the association would hold at its General Membership Meeting. "Well, when we rewrote the bylaws, and Brent was a big part of that, we made it that every meeting was a general meeting, an open meeting, for the whole membership. We've been having weekly meetings for a very very long time," Folsom said. "By having a General Meeting anyone could call for an election, at any given time. So instead of scheduling an election every year, we made it so that anyone can come in, and request an election, at any given time."

The former president also thinks what keeps the KRVAA going is the board of directors. And the board will have different members at different times. As of this interview the board had six board members, which made a quorum vote tie difficult, according to Folsom. "I think their goal is to bring more people into the board to make good decisions," he said.

The sculptor plans to continue supporting the KRVAA, and is looking forward to doing his own art. and having more time to do it. Folsom said because he had worked seriously, most of the time, between 60 and 100 hours a week, as president, he had not had time to work on his art. “There's nothing easy about the job. It's a labor of love. It's for the community and the art community," he stated.

Buffalo also said he was grateful the KRVAA accomplished opening a Community & Art Center for the community, which Patty Kelley is running and that Alita Elfstrom has stepped in to do whatever she can for local youth at the KRVAA.

Folsom foresees the KRVAA continuing to publish its anthology, though now that its former editor, John Peterson has recently passed away, Folsom is not sure where the association would go for printing it. Buffalo said he knows there’s still the talent out there to continue the publication.

Buffalo also stressed that the big thing, with the overall goal, is for the KRVAA to become sustainable. With the Station Coffee House, now the association is becoming more sustainable. The association needs grants. Although Buffalo said that grants are not always available. He thinks a misconception in the valley is that the association has a lot of money. However he said that just isn't true. The KRVAA still needs the community to support it so that it can be sustainable.

The Industrial Art Center is still going strong with black smith classes, with a CNC machine working, and hopes of getting the CNC plasma cutter working, and with its 3-D printer and a laser burner for burning designs. "It’s definitely moving in the right direction," said Folsom.

He's hoping someone could come up with a removable covering, for the end of the Alchemy building, where there’s an uncovered, big slab of concrete, where people can work.

Buffalo is finished being on the board at this time, "I’ve definitely put in my time and energy. I feel good about this time. I’m really looking forward to spending time doing my art, a sculpture that I started some time ago, and spending time with
my Sweetie. That's huge."

Folsom still plans to come to KRVAA gallery receptions and help out with festivals in the coming days. He'd also like to help with other nonprofits in the valley. He has over 50 years of experience running different businesses using his creativity. He has had many major commissions for his sculptures, one of which, he considers his best being displayed at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Bakersfield. Folsom has four different sculptures displayed in Bakersfield and some major pieces in Oregon. He was educated in Catholic school, which he says had kept him on track and later made a Sculpture for his Catholic school with the help of his friends.