May 2010 Update
Welcome to FAC's May eNewsletter
Hello and thank you for taking the time to read this eNewsletter from your friends at the Fresno Arts Council.
For anyone who still thinks that there is nothing to do in Fresno, they just need to look to the arts where each month brings new adventures in entertainment. May is packed with art events, holidays, and celebrations.
A few of the website calendars to check for events include FAC’s social network and central art events calendar:
The Fresno Bee and the Friday “7” paper provide a wealth of information.
Horizon Awards
May 12 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The Fresno Arts Council’s annual Horizon Awards is in the Council Chambers at City Hall. This event honors people in the community that contribute to the arts as artists or as supporters. Tickets are available for sale through our website at www.fresnoartscouncil.org/horizon.
ArtHop Venues to Visit
May 6 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Echo Avenue Hub
ArtHop on May 6 is filled with many venues in Downtown Fresno and the Tower District. ArtHop brochures are available at the venues and at the Fresno Arts Council. Also, check out our official Fresno Arts Council microsite for ArtHop at www.fresnoarthop.org for a complete database list of ArtHop venues and a link to the ArtHop calendar. Each area has art hubs which make it easy for guests to see a variety of exhibits within close proximity.
The hub of special interest this month is in the Tower District across from Fresno High School on Echo Avenue. Within a two block area you will find Echo Street Coffee and Café with an exhibit of several artists brought by Art by Hand, Art Alley, Fresno Flamenco and Spanish Arts Society, the Brick Wall (entertainment), JA Photography, the Folkloric Society, New to You, and a large wall mural. Within a few minutes drive to 14 68 N. Van Ness Avenue, Patrick Contreras’ Tower Violin Studio offers art and music, and next to it is KP’s Acting Gym, another unique place.
City Hall
Varaz Samuelian “The Circus Show” and Marcos Dorado’s “Wetback” exhibits.
Cinco de Mayo – May 5 – 9
Marcos Dorado is hosting a Cinco de Mayo reception for the opening of his “Wetback” Exhibit at City Hall on May 5. Fresno City College, CSUF and other area colleges host a multitude of activities and entertainment for Cinco de Mayo. Arte Americas hosts the Reboza Awards on Mothers Day, May 9, at the museum from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Warnors Center
The Warnors Center at 1424 Fulton (across from The Grand and KYNO) is another spot you don’t want to miss this ArtHop. The Cultural Arts District Association and FCASH have partnered with the Warnors to create The Fresno Store – All Things Fresno. Unique concept that will foster the arts in the Cultural Arts District. Other businesses will open soon at the Warnors Center.
Corridor 2122
The “Art by Youth” exhibit was funded by the Fresno Arts Council with Community Enrichment Program (CEP) funds.
Museum of the Hallway – Edison Bethune Charter Academy
This is the first ArtHop venue in West Fresno. They not only have exhibits with artwork by students, but also invite local artists to exhibit. This month they are featuring an enchanting Muralist who will have her work up with parts filled in by the children. The venue includes entertainment. This venue not only brings in unique exhibits such as the African American Heritage Quilters, Doug Hanson, Donna Locatti’s life size multicultural sculpted angels, a celebrated Vietnamese woman water colorist, and the Frida Kahlo exhibit, but the school also fosters and artistic culture for children to integrate art into their lives. This venue is #25 on the ArtHop brochure and is located at 1616 S. Fruit Avenue, two blocks south of Kearney Blvd.
Other May Events
AHA Moment
May 3 and 4
The big silver trailer parked on the Fulton Mall on Monday and Tuesday of this week with “AHA” license plates. The Mutual of Omaha “AHA Moment” tour scheduled Fresno as its first stop for its trek across the United States. Fresnans had a chance to have their “AHA” moment filmed for sharing with the world through Mutual of Omaha’s website. We will let you know when the videos are available on-line.
Poetry Lives Here
May 13 at 8:00 pm
Inner Ear Poetry has a new home at the Iron Bird Lofts. Contact Bryan Medina for the schedule.
Candidate Forum – District 3
May 19 from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm
The Downtown Association, along with partnering organizations, are hosting a Candidate Forum and reception at the Skyroom in the Holiday Inn for candidates running for District 3 for City Council. District 3 includes downtown Fresno.
Grant Workshops
Foundation Center & James Irvine Foundation
May 20 from 1:00pm to 5:00 pm
Do you want to learn how to write grants or do you need an update on writing grants. The Fresno Arts Council, Fresno Coalition for Arts, Science and History (FCASH), and the Fresno County Library are bringing the Foundation Center and the James Irvine Foundation to present a grant writing workshop at the Fresno Art Museum. To register, go to the Foundation Center website. Free books will be given to arts organizations.
Meet the Grantmakers
May 21 from 10:00 am to 11:30
The following day, May 21, meet grantmakers United Way, Fresno Regional Foundation, AT&T, and the California Endowment at the Woodward Park Library to gain valuable insights about applying for grants from these resources.
Artist Workshop
May 27 from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
On the Fresno Arts Council will host an artist workshop by the County of Fresno. This workshop is for artists interested in having their artwork displayed on the County’s website.
RSVP to Angela or Maria at (559) 237-9734.
Watch for These!!
ART LOVER License Plate
I recently had the pleasure of attending the California Arts Council conference for all of the Executive Directors of art councils throughout California. What an interesting and energized group!
Prior to a budget reduction of $25 million in 2003, the California Arts Council (CAC) generously funded art councils throughout the state for programs and services to promote the arts, and support artists and arts organizations. The CAC was approved to sell the ART LOVER license plate (designed by Wayne Thiebold) to raise funds for grants for art councils. This year the CAC will be kicking off a campaign to sell 1,000,000 ART LOVER license plates.
The Fresno Arts Council encourages the community to consider the benefits of purchasing this license plate as the rewards come back to the community. While a regular license plate merely is a requirement to keep from getting a ticket (simplified version), the ART LOVER license plate funds arts programs, arts education and entertainment. The price of the ART LOVER license plate is also tax deductible. Watch for the campaign.
Summer Youth Program
Federal stimulus funds are providing employment for youth this again this summer. The Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission (FCEOC) is seeking employers that will hire youth (age 16-18) for eight weeks from June 1 to September 30. FCEOC pays all wages, workman’s compensation, and expenses while the employer teaches youth job skills and mentors them on the soft skills needed to be successful in a job.
The arts community is a great place for youth to work, so I encourage you to register to hire youth through the program and get some of the tasks done that you don’t have time for, or let the youth assist in getting programs off the ground for which you lack staff. Go to www.youthfresno.com to register.
Community Enrichment Program (CEP) Grants
The grant writing workshops for the CEP grants is coming up soon. If you received this eNewsletter, then you will be notified of the 2010 workshops information. If you received eNewsletter from a friend, then head on over to: www.fresnoartscouncil.org/cepgrant/2010cepgrant and subscribe to our mailing list to get notified.
Finally, congratulations to all of the graduates in Fresno City and County in May and June. As life weaves a new path for you, remember to engage in the arts to feed your soul.
Happy ArtHopping!
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