As a beloved community leader who embodies the spirit of the arts, no one has accomplished more to further arts education for Santa Maria Valley youth than Nat Fast. His personal dedication and unwavering support of the arts has inspired me, and so many others, to reach for our dreams and be a catalyst for positive change in our community.
As a celebration of Nat’s countless contributions to the Santa Maria Valley, the Discovery Museum’s second annual Nat Fast Day on Jan. 29 is an opportunity for children to experience first-hand the joy and empowerment of artistic expression. Nat’s still life workshop for kids from noon to 1p.m. will be a treat for students of all ages, followed by ballet folklorico dance and other visual art projects throughout the day.
“The greatest gift we can give our youth is experience in the fine and practical arts,” Fast explained. “It is this learning which helps them to express their thoughts, integrate into life, and to become critical thinkers.”
For more than 50 years, Fast has shared his vision and talent as a painter and long-time educator, establishing the Santa Maria Arts Council in 1965, and teaching at area high schools and Allan Hancock College for the past 40 years. His work as a professional painter has earned him worldwide acclaim and his passion for capturing years of PCPA Theaterfest performances in watercolor is a testament to his appreciation of the arts.
He has been a tireless volunteer helping to grow the Discovery Museum from its early days in Town Center West, guiding the campaign to build a new 13,000 square-foot facility, and contributing his time and talents so that today’s bustling educational center can continue to enrich thousands of young lives every day.
Thank you, Nat Fast, for making a difference in our lives and in the lives of generations to come.
Chris Slaughter is a former board member of the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum. Discovery Corner is a weekly column in the Sun, highlighting events, science activities, and more for the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum at 705 S. McClelland in Santa Maria. Send comments to discoverycorner@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jan 26 – Feb 2, 2012.
