"The Magic of Theatre"

A COLLECTION OF ART FROM DISTRICT 5

February 3 through April 3, 2009

AC5 is proud to present The Pittsburg Arts Collaborative (PACO), a project of Pacific Community Services Inc. (PCSI). PCSI, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, adopted PACO in 2002 and through this broader collaborative has provided the East County community with a myriad of programs that represent the diversity of the community through visual and performing arts.

Through PCSI and its own work, PACO imparts culturally rich programs to stimulate and enlighten the residents' creative spirit. PACO has expanded it support of performing arts by including the theatre in their repertoire of programming, which has prompted PACO to bring together this display in support of community theatres in East, West and Central County.

"The Magic of Theatre" takes the County Art in Public Places in a different direction with a medley of historic theatrical memorabilia, props, costumes, and various artifacts representing several theatre groups. El Campanil Theatre in Antioch and the California Theatre in Pittsburg were both successful vaudeville theatres providing East County with high society performances that brought out big name stars in the early 1920s. El Campanil Theatre was restored to its original beauty in 2004. The California Theatre in Pittsburg has also undergone some exterior restoration; both organizations have provided before and after photographs as part of this display along with watercolor paintings by local artist Joel Summerhill.

Other theatre treasures are provided by Contra Costa College in San Pablo, Diamond City Playhouse in Pittsburg, Fight Action Associates in West County, Hapgood Theatre in Antioch, Latanya Watts-musical theatre in East County, Pittsburg Community Theatre, Pittsburg Historical Society, and Diablo Valley College in Central County.

Please join PACO in keeping the magic alive in Contra Costa County: Check the web for more information regarding these participating theatres. Go see a play!

PACO members meet weekly at the PCSI offices at 329 Railroad Avenue, Pittsburg, CA. For more information call (925) 439-1056.