A Promoter and Appreciator of the ARTS
- ARTS Obispo is a non-profit organization that supports the arts throughout San Luis Obispo, Calif. County
- It is a local chapter of the state agency, the California Arts Council
- As a non-profit the organization relies heavily on volunteers to organize events and projects
- Their goal is to promote and provide opportunities for the county residents to experience art in all forms
Literature, film, photography, paintings, plays, sculptures, dance and music are mediums that ARTS Obispo promotes for San Luis Obispo County to appreciate the arts. ARTS Obispo’s appreciation for the arts comes full circle by having art-loving volunteers from the community give back by bring artistic appreciation to the county through events, programs, and lectures.
A Group Effort
Though ARTSObispo is a non-profit and heavily volunteer based, there are staff members in the office on a regular basis. Charlotte Alexander, Executive Director since 2011, works with Programs Director Jenna Hartzell to “provide opportunities for the public to access the arts, for students of all ages to create and appreciate the arts, and for artists to create and promote their work,” Alexander said.
Lori Lerian the Program Assistant and Marion McKenna the Administrative Assistant help accomplish those goals and keep the organization running smoothly. Along with the staff, volunteers have positions as board members and committee chairs.
The community is also a part of ARTS in showing their appreciation for the arts and participating in events organized by ARTS Obispo. Open Studios Art Tour, currently in its 15th year, is an event that enables participation throughout the county.
|
|
A metal shaping studio open during Open Studios Art Tour provided the community with access to an interesting form of art. Objects included bowls, boxes and jewelry created from metal. |
Get it now?
Today ARTS Obispo stays true to their roots by supporting the local arts of San Luis Obispo. The local art community of San Luis Obispo founded this private, non-profit organization in December 1980.
When it began as the local partner of the California Arts Council it was known as the San Luis Obispo County Arts Council (or SLOCAC). In 2006 SLOCAC adopted the name, ARTS Obispo.
“ARTSObispo was adopted several years ago in an effort to reach out to younger artists and art supporters. We are one and the same organization,” Alexander cited as another reason for the name change.
The California Arts Council is a state agency focused on advancing California through the arts according to their website. Its policy-setting council, “helps build strong local and statewide arts organizations, directly supports arts programs for all citizens, assists with the professional development of arts leaders, and promotes awareness of the value of the arts,” according to the California Arts Council website.
So, the San Luis Obispo County Arts Council, also known as, ARTS Obispo is a local chapter of the state agency the California Arts Council and supports and promotes all the arts in San Luis Obispo County.
Top Art Spots that Break “Traditional” Boundaries
- Vale Fine Art, Paso Robles- (a painting in progress, lower right)
- Cuesta College Art Gallery- Alexander recommends checking out the exhibit, “More Is More”
- SLO Little Theater- The monthly “No Shame Theater” is edgy and a real treat for the performers, Alexander said Sitting in the Chair
|
An artists’ work space open during First Saturdays at Vale Fine Art in Paso Robles. First Saturday’s is Paso Robles equivalent of San Luis Obispo’s Art After Dark. |
The Artists Chair
More often than not, if you are at an art event in San Luis Obispo, ARTS Obispo put it on. The recent Poetry Out Loud competition, for example, was organized by the Arts in Education Committee headed by Kristin Bridgeford. Bridgeford was asked to sit on the Arts in Education committee and has volunteered at ARTS Obispo for over 10 years.
When asked to sit on the Arts in Education Committee Kristin was entrusted with new responsibilities. As committee chair, “[I] run meetings, build community within the group, and be sure that all group members feel valued and heard, and work with ARTS Obispo staff,” she said.
Working and planing for a non-profit comes with challenges and bonuses. Bonuses include, “meeting and working with new people all the time, seeing great art, and making some lasting changes within the community,” Bridgeford said.
Listen to Hartzell’s interview and the SLO County Poetry Out Loud winner recite on the Dave Congalton Show (36:50).
Look, Listen, Language
All the arts in San Luis Obispo County may include more than you think. There are so many different categories of artwork: paintings, prints, photographs and performances just to name a few.
“Don’t forget that film is an art form,” Alexander, an avid film fan, said. Both movie and performance theaters are places to experience art other than at a gallery. ARTS Obispo supports places that offer these types of experiences such as Brickyard Theatre, Opera San Luis Obispo, and the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre.
ARTS Obispo embraces all these art forms and works at, “promoting so many opportunities in the county for those who love art to interact with it - whether visual, literary, performing or digital,” Alexander said. |
Mary Kay Harrington, an avid volunteer at ARTS Obispo, read at ARTS Obispo’s Reading in Public event. One of the many events organized to promote all different forms of art in San Luis Obispo. Photo by Jano Kay |
Open Studios Art Tour, Poetry Out Loud, and Reading in Public are ARTS Obispo projects that give people the opportunity to experience visual, performance and literary art throughout the county.
“I was glad to have a chance to come on board when ARTS Obispo was seeking to make it clear that is supports all of the arts in SLO County, not just the visual arts,” Alexander said.
TAGS: ARTS Obispo, San Luis Obispo County Arts Council, California Arts Council, arts in the community, community art projects
|
|
