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CERAMICS EXHIBIT & RECEPTIONThis year’s ceramics exhibit by artists from Central California Women’s Facility is entitled “Outside the Lines”. The educational arts program, run by Garrett Masterson, enables inmates to use their free time to study pottery, drawing, painting or music. The pottery produced supports three wonderful programs: some bowls are sold as “Super Bowls for Super Kids” with proceeds going to Camp Teddy Bear; others help sustain the Madera County Child Abuse Council. Proceeds from the exhibit (Circle Gallery, Thursday, April 7th, from 5:30 – 7:30) will help support the Arts Council and our programs. Jane Siebert is organizing the reception. There will be appetizers and wine. Work will be on display through April 29th. We are so thankful to Garrett for his many years working within the prison system. Come see how lumps of clay produced behind bars can shine in the world, and reach “outside the lines” of prison life. LATINO ARTS FESTIVALWe are so pleased to announce that The James R. Irvine Foundation will provide us with a $12,000 grant to implement the findings of the National Endowment for the Arts “Access to the Arts” survey we are now conducting. Our thanks and appreciation to co-chairs Jim Glynn and Martin Diaz; and to committee members Rosanna Bonilla, Max Rodriguez, Gary Svanda, and Ed Mc Intyre for your help conducting our survey. Now we can move forward with our plans for a Latino Arts Festival and art exhibition next year. In partnering with Latinas Unidas, a local group of Latina women who provide scholarships and encourage Latino youth to stay in school, we will be able serve more of our Latino population. MARCH IS “YOUTH ARTS MONTH”We hope you had a chance to view the works of the talented young artists whose works were on display in the halls of the County Offices . Thank you students from Madera High, Liberty and R.O.P. for bringing color and life to an otherwise hum drum corridor. And thanks to the County for giving us the space. Next year we plan to have two more schools participate. RENT CLUBThank you, gracias, and merci beaucoup! to Cal Crane for your generosity in covering February’s rent. Now we just need four more Rent Club Members to cover March, April, May and June. A good way to spend your IRS refund? ANNUAL GALA“A Long Way From New York ” is the theme of this year’s GALA which will be held Saturday, June 11th at the home of Anna and Lee Da Silva. Broadway show tunes, a live auction of New York-themed art, delicious food and perhaps a “Rockettes Revue” will highlight the evening. Community awards will be given to an outstanding artist, business, teacher and government official who supports the arts. This is a major fundraiser to support the MCAC and keep the arts alive in Madera County . Board members will be selling tickets soon. Contact us at 661-7005 for more information. NEW CAC DIRECTORIn January Governor Schwarzenegger appointed Muriel Johnson director of the California Arts Council. Ms. Johnson is a former high-school music and English teacher. As a graduate of the John F. Kennedy School of Government Programs for Senior Executives in state and local governments, she has dedicated her life to community service. She was president of the Crocker Art Museum board, chaired the advisory committee for California State Historic Parks, and helped write the ordinance for the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission. As a member of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors she chaired the committee that studied the viability of symphonic music in the area, which led to the recommendation to enhance and support the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra. She was also a member of the Discovery Board for eight years. “I have always been passionate about promoting and supporting the arts because of the positive impact on the community,” she said. At the California Association of Local Art Agencies meeting in Sacramento, a brief meeting allowed Dr. Beecher the opportunity to put in a big plug for rural arts programs and maintaining artist-in-the-schools programs. Later, speaking to Ms. Johnson by phone, she confirmed that arts in rural areas were “of the utmost importance”. As a young girl in Nebraska, Ms. Johnson was given a French Horn by her father, which stimulated her love of music. We know that location should not be a hindrance to exposure to and development of the arts. The California Arts Council, established in 1976, has suffered severe budget cuts which makes it all the more important that we, on a local level, work to develop a broad public understanding of and appreciation for the positive impact the arts play in enriching cultural, economic and intellectual life in our communities and schools. FREE CONCERTS IN THE PARKWhat better way to spend a summer evening than to be out with friends enjoying live music? Thanks to our partnership with the Madera Parks and Recreation Department and local businesses, the concerts will be held July 10, July 24, August 7, August 21 and September 11. Put them on your calendars. CHANGES IN THE OFFICECheryl Gardner, who has been our newsletter writer is also departing, to pursue her own writing projects in Fresno. Thank you to Cheryl! Our new newsletter writer is Mary Lee Gowland, Coarsegold poet/writer and PACES instructor. If you wish to include information in the newsletter you may email her directly at gowland@sti.net CREATIVE FINANCINGIn order to ensure that state funding cuts don’t completely spell the death to our council we are developing a “Planned Giving” endowment. If you, or anyone you know, would like to participate in the creation of such a fund, please give us a call, 661-7005. BOARD RETREAT AT FRESNO FLATS HISTORIC PARKJanuary’s Board retreat in Oakhurst was extremely productive. The following goals and objectives were articulated: (1) Increase number of board members. (2) Increase administrative funding. (3) Recognize contributors. (4) Increase our exposure. Update our website and create an on-line newsletter by the 2005-2006 fiscal year. (5) Establish a Latino arts festival; (6) Continue to support art education and establish an art contest in each school district. An ambitions undertaking, but with your help, one by one, we’ll get these done! UPCOMING CLASSES, SHOWS AND EVENTS
NEW IN COARSEGOLDInanna’s Gift Studio/Gallery and gift shop has moved to the old “ Indian Territory ” building located at 35463 Highway 41, Coarsegold. A garden and labyrinth are being constructed; classes are already underway, including hand-building with clay, precious metal clay, dichroic glass, jewelry design, beading, polymer clay, wire wrapping, mosaic, draw to paint, Ayervedic healing techniques, Introduction to Bach Flower remedies, enchanted gardens for children, basket weaving, gourd painting, one stroke painting, story telling and art for preschoolers, and more. The gift shop features art by local artists, wearable art, natural gold jewelry, Native American jewelry, self-care items and lots of “favorite things”. www.inannasgift.com |
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