A Little About Ernie Wasson
SAM’s Board President
by Lauri Sturdivant
Photo contributed by Ernie Wasson
Ernie’s connection to Mount Shasta goes back to his days at Humboldt State University when he drove four times to Siskiyou County and tried to summit Mount Shasta. “My two favorite local mountains are Mount Eddy and the Castle Crags.”
Ernie came to visit SAM attending an opening reception with his godson, Nathan. “After the art opening we gathered for dinner at the Dogwood Diner (also the former Wheelhouse). Peter Arth, ever generous, picked up the tab.” Ernie likes to say he has “been paying for that dinner ever since.” Ernie joined the Siskiyou Arts Museum (SAM) board in 2014.
He recently retired as the horticulturist for Dunsmuir Botanical Gardens and now serves on the board. He was recognized for his community activities by being named Dunsmuir’s 2018 Citizen of the Year.
Ernie is one of the founding members of Dunsmuir Second Saturdays. He believes that promoting monthly events in Dunsmuir is an important way to support the arts and local businesses. 2nd Saturdays has become a popular event in Dunsmuir with additional galleries, restaurants, and businesses and civic groups all joining in this monthly opportunity to celebrate the historical town of Dunsmuir.
Ernie can often be found chatting with visitors both at SAM and in the Dunsmuir Botanical Gardens, and finding out what brought them to Dunsmuir and sharing his love for the gardens and his community. He is a real people person.
Ernie Wasson in SAM’s Makerspace , photo by Melody Shah, Art Teacher at Mount Shasta High School
One of Ernie’s favorite projects is SAM’s Maker Space, where community members can attend workshops and classes and work on their art projects. The space is a well-equipped arts studio located in SAM’s basement. The Maker Space hosts workshops and houses several printing presses.
Ernie expresses his creativity through his own garden and nature inspired photographs. He is a member of the Nature Printing Society where he thrives on printing with leaves and other natural objects collected on his travels throughout the region. These can often be found in SAM shows and the gift shop.
13 Questions for Ernie
Lauri: Breakfast or dinner? Ernie: I love both!
Lauri: Favorite creature? Ernie: The banana slug.
Lauri: Favorite artists? Ernie: Jennifer Pentrack and Erin Linton.
Lauri: Vanilla or chocolate? Ernie: Dark chocolate with mint.
Lauri: Favorite color? Ernie: Greens to blues.
Lauri: Do you have a favorite plant? Ernie: Asian podophyllum (mayapple).
Lauri: Do you have a favorite art show at SAM? Ernie: Yes, the annual Mt. Shasta High School art show.
Lauri: Cake or pie? Ernie: Apple or cherry fruit pies are my favorites.
Lauri: Would you travel to the moon? Ernie: Would rather explore more of Earth. The moon is too dry!
Lauri: Did you ever ride a skateboard? Ernie: No way!
Lauri: Do you have a secret spot you visit? Ernie: An octopus shaped rainbow eucalyptus at Pescadero Marsh and a pure white albino redwood at Humboldt Redwoods State Park
Lauri: Comedy or Mystery? Ernie: Mystery
Lauri: If you could have a super power, what would it be? Ernie: To climb trees as easily as a monkey.
