The Magic 25:1982-1997, The Magnificent Sue Busby
Sue Busby was hired in September, 1982 to manage the final leg of construction and the opening of IFCC in November, 1982. She continued through the 15th anniversary in August, 1997 when she was invited to Harvard and was recognized by it’s Graduate School of Education because they were starting a new Master’s program “Arts in Education.” The IFCC had been recognized by the NEA and had received funding from them for years because its programs augmented the curriculum in the schools that were beginning to focus on multiculturalism, as diversity was called back in the day. Sue had a mentor who was connected to Harvard and she was recognized and invited to be a fellow in the new program. Sue Busby received the first Steven J. Ross Fellowship, a full ride, because of her work with the IFCC. While at Harvard, she wrote a case study for the MBA school and a portraiture for the Graduate School of Education, both on the IFCC.
Sue Busby changed her name to honor the educators in her family: Her great grandfather (Goodson) who built the first school house in Yokum, Texas for his children and others in the area and her mom (Fatherree)who was an educator in Portland, but worked to get the Russian Orthodox children in Salem and Woodburn assimilated into the public school system back in the day before anyone even knew such a large community existed. These two amazing people were on her Ed.M. and Ph.D. degrees and that’s what makes these past ten years of higher education so special for Sue.
“What I remember about meeting Sue Busby for the first time was the light that radiated from her – warm, welcoming, energetic light. She was someone who knew exactly what she wanted and how to rally those around her to rise to the occasion. At our first meeting in 1982, we discussed how I could teach dance classes at the brand new IFCC. I had a few suggestions but Sue just kept reeling off thought after thought about a program that would end up attracting all kinds of kids interested in learning how to dance. I was swept up in her exuberance for 8 years, in awe of her whirlwind world of great ideas, wondrous plots, and her uncanny ability to always pull everyone and everything together with a grand flourish.”
By Janis Henwood Khorsi
“My mother wore many hats when it came to the IFCC, director, recruiter and most importantly a fund raiser (she could squeeze money out of a rock! :), just to name a few. She believed in finding people that had something to offer and would greatly benefit the IFCC. When I say finding people that is exactly what I mean. She found known and unknown artists in the community, she found volunteers and teachers. There were times people would find her and be welcomed with open arms. My mother kept the IFCC and its programs running sometimes with sheer determination and nothing else. Even though there were times I would look at her with a mix of amazement and confusion as she ran around the firehouse wearing all her hats at once, everything she always wanted for the IFCC fell into place.”
By Melissa Lowery
“I love Sue. A person who follows her gut, she trusts her instincts, and is sustain by great faith. As executive director of IFCC she trusted the integrity of artists and entrusted them to do their work. This included the creative staff at the center. A graduate in 1983, I volunteered with several non-profit art organizations, and initiated independent projects among Asian Artists in Oregon¬– one of those projects received great media coverage in The Oregonian. Sue, always taking the initiative to seek out “talent” for the IFCC, contacted me to curate an exhibition for the IFCC. Thus began our long-term relationship and my subsequent position as Gallery Coordinator/Gallery Director between 1985 and 2004.
Coming from a family business, Sue was my first “boss”, and with hindsight one of the best. She was positive, open, honest, discerning- but not judgmental, caring, inclusive, full of laughter and spirit¬– never losing sight of IFCC’s objective to serve a diverse community. Of course, life at IFCC was not perfect, but for me it was ideal. I will always appreciate Sue’s trust in me, and her instinct that I was the person for the job. Time proved her right!”
By Roberta Wong
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