Donation made to finish Allen Hall in Sitka

SITKA, Alaska (AP) - A fine arts benefactor is donating funds to complete renovations of Allen Hall on the historic Sheldon Jackson campus in Sitka.

The contribution by Carol Odess is the third she’s made to renovations at the campus, which has been owned by Alaska Arts Southeast since 2011, the Daily Sitka Sentinel reported (https://bit.ly/1sbumux). The hall’s main floor was named Odess Theater last year in honor of Odess’ late husband, John.

Sitka Fine Arts Camp director Roger Schmidt says it took a while for it to sink in when Odess, a camp volunteer from Alabama who spends about half the year in Sitka, told him she wanted to donate enough to finish the building’s interior. The hall was in the midst of a major renovation that was stalled for years by the time the trustees of the former Sheldon Jackson College turned over the campus over to the arts organization.

“I was really confused, actually,” he said. “It took over 24 hours to realize what Carol had said to me. I completely misunderstood her. It hit me like a bolt out of the blue when I realized what she had offered.”

Odess said she was happy to do it. She has been one of the campus’ regular volunteers, helping with odd jobs like sweeping and painting, and has been struck by all the work that’s been done so far. She said they can then fundraise to “fix the two other most critical buildings,” referring to the laundry building and North Pacific Hall.

Odess and her husband first visited Sitka in 2003 on a fishing trip to Baranof Wilderness Lodge. She said it was the couple’s last trip together, and they formed a friendship with the lodge owners. She continued to visit the lodge every year and liked walking to Sitka National Historical Park. It was on one of those walks - past the Sheldon Jackson campus - that she wondered about the boards covering the windows on the old buildings.

She then met Schmidt’s mother-in-law, who told Odess about the volunteer work at the campus. Soon thereafter, Odess became one of the regular volunteers working to turn the one-time college campus into a fine arts camp.

Odess said her husband in his will wanted estate contributions going toward building projects that benefited the most people. She said the campus renovation fit with that desire.

“I don’t know of a place that has more or means more to so many people,” Odess said. She noted that the annual fine arts sessions draw more than 700 people and the entire community benefits from the facilities year-round.

“I’m pleased people are using it. I want people in town to feel like they belong, and come and use it,” Odess said.

Schmidt said Odess’ donations have made a big difference in renovating Odess Theater and the rest of Allen Hall.

“Instead of having a short list of really huge things, it’s a long list of really small things,” Schmidt said.

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Information from: Daily Sitka (Alaska) Sentinel, https://www.sitkasentinel.com/