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Pro-Art was formed in the late 1970’s by a small group of citizens in Wise, Virginia who wanted to bring performing arts from outside the region to their home in the folds of the Appalachian Mountains. In years prior to the formation of Pro-Art, people would have to travel long distances to see a play, orchestra, or to experience a culture different from their own—or, as was more common—they did without. Enter Founder Daisy Portuando, a native of Cuba, strong leader, and someone who historically did not take “no” for an answer. Daisy came to Wise County when her husband Augusto became a Spanish professor and Foreign Language Department Head at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. Daisy wanted her daughters to learn ballet, which at the time, was not available in the area. She got a small group together and led the way by creating the Wise School of Dance. One project snowballed into another, and soon she found herself involved with various community projects in the arts including the International Arts Festival, Christmas Around the World, and within a few years, Pro-Art and the Creative Arts Summer Camp.  

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Pro-Art was officially established in 1976, attained nonprofit status in 1980, and grew to be a fixture in our region known for bringing professional performing arts of all types to Wise County, as well as directly to our children through performances in area schools. In a 2017 feature in UVa-Wise magazine, Bonnie Elosser remembers that residents were astounded to see artists from around the world performing in their own hometown. Portuondo’s strong dedication brought world-class performances to far Southwest Virginia and Eastern Kentucky, and for the first thirty years, Pro-Art actively exposed the region to the most diverse cultural arts programs available.

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In 2007, Daisy retired and Bonnie Elosser, a long-time Pro-Art board member and civic-minded leader was named Executive Director. Bonnie inherited a legacy, but also something unexpected—serious financial troubles. Like many organizations experience at one time or another, Pro-Art Association encountered financial difficulties when it reached its third decade.

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“There was no money, and a significant amount of debt,” Elosser explained. The executive committee met to discuss the dire situation and reluctantly voted “to close the doors for good,” believing the situation to be beyond repair. However, soon after the meeting, Elosser was contacted by Merry Lu Prior, a board member and spouse of then Chancellor David J. Prior. Mrs. Prior told her “do not close the doors.” She told Elosser that Chancellor Prior would be in contact within hours. Chancellor Prior contacted Elosser and asked her and the Board of Trustees to come up with a financial plan to save the organization. Although they had to cancel the already booked spring season and buy out numerous contracts, Elosser sacrificed her salary and received funding from UVa-Wise to pay the staff for six months.

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Within two weeks the Board of Trustees came together and raised $50,000 and developed the long-range financial plan Chancellor Prior requested. In return for this financial support, Pro-Art provides a UVa-Wise Cultural Arts series on the campus. The Pro-Art Trustees and Officers, and the Chancellor of UVa-Wise worked together to manage programming and pay off all debts thereby ensuring the survival of Pro-Art. Elosser said, “It is truly a blessing to be debt free during a time when arts organizations all over the state are closing or struggling financially.” Pro-Art credits UVa-Wise, Mountain Empire Community College, the C. Bascom Slemp Foundation and many other contributors for helping to revive Pro-Art.

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Bonnie also worked hard to build numerous community partnerships and helped expand programming to Lee and Dickenson Counties. Working with MECC during Home Craft Days and co-sponsoring the Celtic Festival in Big Stone Gap, are just a couple of the community partnerships that Bonnie forged and good examples of the ways Pro-Art continues to provide a variety of experiences in the arts that are both entertaining and educational.

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