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Every community relies on organizers, supporters and patrons, and Betty Black was just that for the Skagit Valley during the more than five decades she lived here. She and her husband Ian Black were fixtures locally, supporting organizations, causes and artists. As a result, the Blacks had an art collection in their Mount Vernon home that represented the work of local artists as well as those around the world. The Museum of Northwest Art (MoNA) is exhibiting that collection in its first floor gallery through March 15.

Betty was more than a collector, points out Kathleen Moles, MoNA guest curat...