About PACA
PACA has been on the minds and in the hearts of local artists and performers for more than 20 years. Various bonds that would have raised the necessary funds for an arts center were repeatedly rejected by taxpayers, and with no one stepping forward with at least $100,000 to make the center a reality, PACA was forever in the background and far from reality.

Liz Riley was the longtime director of a local theatre group, the Park Avenue Players. She, too, shared the dream of an arts center here in Chewelah, which, by the way, is home to more than 70 full-time artists. When Liz passed away, she specified in her will that $120,000 be donated to PACA to somehow bring an arts center to fruition, specifically, that the money be used for actual bricks-and-mortar construction. With this generous act, PACA sprang to life. The search was started for a home, with the belief that a building reuse project would be less expensive than a from-scratch project. When the City of Chewelah learned of the search, they suggested PACA take over the garage used for city vehicle repairs. You can learn more about this building on the Facility link.

The performance space within the PACA facility will forever be named The Liz Riley Theatre in honor of her gift to the expanded Chewelah community. There are other PACA naming opportunities including the lobby area, rehearsal rooms, the "green room" for artist receptions, and so forth. Learn more about these naming rights using the Fundraising link.

About Liz Riley
Liz Riley was born Elizabeth Florence Preisz on July 25, 1932 in Yakima, Washington, and passed away on November 29, 2005 in Chewelah. Her early years were filled with music. She worked in her parent's music store, Triangle Music, in Yakima, and, while working there, met her husband-to-be, Mike Riley. Mike and Liz were married in May 1960 and soon after moved to the Chewelah area.

In 1974 Liz helped organize the nonprofit Chewelah Community Celebrations organization, and then established the Chataqua Festival, which has evolved into Washington's fifth largest annual cultural event. Liz continued her involvement in community affairs as a member of the Chewelah Chamber of Commerce, the Chewelah Arts Guild, and the Chewelah Federated Women's Club, and then as the founder, organizer, director and playwright for the Park Avenue Players. In deep appreciation for her commitment to the arts, culture and community, the performance theater in the PACA Center shall forever be the Liz Riley Theatre.