Art Appreciation - Prevailing tone at Awards Event

The headline "Art Appreciation" in the Contra Costa Times full page story (Oct. 13) featuring five artist-honorees was a fitting harbinger of the actual awards event, a core program of AC5.

The Twelfth Annual Arts Recognition Awards held at St. Mary's College on October 21st brought well over 100 guests together to honor five local artists for their contribution to the community. Honored were artist and teacher Robert Chapla of Crockett; musician and conductor of the Diablo Symphony Orchestra Joyce Johnson-Hamilton of Atherton; teacher and cartoonist Bill Leach of Oakley, author and Richmond Arts and Culture Commissioner Sydney Metrick, PhD, of El Sobrante, and photographer John Spence Weir of Oakland. Serving as speaker and master of ceremonies was The Honorable H. Abram Wilson, Mayor of San Ramon and chair of the Contra Costa County Mayors' Conference.

Acknowledging the influence of his parents whose love of opera exposed him as a child to the Saturday radio broadcasts of New York's Metropolitan Opera, Wilson emphasized the importance of giving young people the opportunity to experience the arts. Admittedly, a small percentage may grow up to be professional artists; nonetheless the ability to enjoy art of any kind adds a dimension to our lives that is invaluable, according to Wilson. "It is what makes us civilized," he stated. Recognizing that he was preaching to the choir given the audience of supporters at the event, Wilson shared a particularly dramatic statistic. Funding for the arts in California has decreased dramatically in the last few years, from $30 million in 2000-01 to $1 million in 2003-04, where it has remained. Unfortunately, despite the rays of hope emanating from the honorees and Mayor Wilson, California provides the lowest per capita funding for the arts in the entire United States, less than Mississippi, the District of Columbia and Guam.

In addition to a vibrant glass sculpture in the form of a flame, each honoree received a copy of the "Keeper of the Flame" video shown at the ceremony in which each artist talked about his/her development as an artist. They also received a framed Resolution from the Board of Supervisors proclaiming October as "Arts and Culture Month" and saluting the five honorees. Elected officials also provided certificates of recognition for the honorees. Our thanks to Wells Fargo for their grant to support the event.

Note: "Keeper of the Flame" video shown at the event will be available for viewing on CCTV. A schedule will be provided in the next ArtBeat.

Introducing District IV Commissioner

Recently appointed by Supervisor Bonilla to represent District IV on the Arts & Culture Commission of Contra Costa County is attorney Christine Callahan, who has practiced law in Concord for more than 20 years with an emphasis on land use, family law, estate planning and probates.

Callahan's community service involvement includes service on the Concord Planning Commission as well as on the Concord Chamber of Commerce board of directors and the board for Sunrise House. She is also a member of the Art in the Courthouse Committee. This 5th generation Contra Costan credits her interest in art to her mother, a full time homemaker and a part time artist who used to paint from the kitchen table and sell her work through local art associations and galleries. In addition to her interest in art, Callahan enjoys hiking, traveling, gardening and dinner parties with friends. Welcome aboard.

"Not to be missed" Latino artist exhibit in County Administration Bldg.

AC5 is proud to present "Visions of Latino Art and Soul" an exclusive exhibit featuring the private collection of Mexican artist Armando Jiménez Reynoso of San Gaspar de los Reyes, Jalisco, México. Reynoso studied at the "La Esmeralda" National School of Painters and Sculptures, Institute of Bellas Artes, in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato and "La Ciudadela", National School of Artisans. The exhibit also brings together several local Latino artists through the Pittsburg Arts Collaborative, (PACO). "Visions of Latino Art and Soul" connects to the cultural spirit and tradition of Mexican art. Represented are five accomplished artists ranging in age, background and artistic style--John Acosta, Hermelinda Jiménez, Sally Rodriguez, and Mary Helen Villarreal. These artists offer an exquisite cultural experience you won't want to miss. This exhibit runs from October 16 through December 5 in the County Administration Building, 651 Pine St., Martinez, Monday-Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. It is Free to the public.

The Board of Supervisors dedicated "Visions of Latino Art and Soul"; the art passages show for District 5, during their October 16 meeting. The Arts & Culture Commission of Contra Costa County (AC5) developed the program art passages: collections of art from Contra Costa County to create an opportunity for artists to show their work to a larger public and to attract potential buyers for their work. Visit our web site for more information on art passages.

Antioch student wins essay competition:

Student and school to be recognized with cash prize

Andrea and Deer Valley English teacher Heather Keeton will attend the December 4, 2007 Board of Supervisors meeting to be recognized and receive the prizes. Andrea will receive a $1000 check, and the Deer Valley High School library will receive a matching $1000 check. A representative from the California Arts Council is expected to be on hand.

Are you an outstanding art, music, drama, dance, or creative writing teacher at a Bay Area public/charter middle or high school?

Are you in need of artistic revitalization?

Would you like the opportunity to participate in an arts institute, immerse yourself in a residency at an artist colony, or self-design some other course of study to expand your artistic and interact with other professional artists?

If yes, consider this exciting opportunity, supported by East Bay Community Foundation:

The Fund for Artists Art Teacher Fellowship (FFAATF)

FFAATF supports the artistic revitalization of outstanding arts teachers in Bay Area middle and high schools. Through a competitive application process, eight Bay Area arts teachers will be selected to receive fellowship awards of up to $5,000. Fellowship awards will be used to defray the costs associated with a self-designed course of study enabling arts teachers to expand artistic range and abilities in the making of art, and interact with other professional artists in their field. Applicants must be permanently assigned arts teachers employed by Bay Area public/charter middle and high schools. Teachers of the visual and media arts, theater, music, dance and creative writing are strongly encouraged to apply.

For Alameda and Contra Costa County arts teachers, applications are currently available at the East Bay Community Foundation website at www.eastbaycf.org . From their home page, click on Grantmaking Overview and enter the section on the Grantmaking Guidlines. Continue on to the Arts & Culture page, and scroll down to the Art Teacher Fellowship Program.

Applications are due January 10, 2008.

Contributors to ArtBeat: Joan Trezek, Robin Moore