WE LOVE OUR CSUF AND SANTA ANA COMMUNITIES!
Weekends are busy at Grand Central Art Center and we have plans to keep it that way!
This past Saturday, we began our new series of panel and gallery talks to kick-off the Santa Ana Art Walk evenings. At 5pm, we presented CONVERSATIONS WITH MASTERS: PANEL 1, a series of panels that place current Cal State University Fullerton MFA students working on degrees is specific medium or practice, in conversation with individuals currently successful in that practice, as well as in conversation with individuals who play a role in decision-making within that practice.
The first of this series focused on the practice of painting. CSUF MFA in Painting, Sara Dehghan, lead the conversation with fellow panelists artist Tony de los Reyes (current GCAC exhibiting artist of Border Theory), and Deb Klowden Mann, owner of Gallery/KM in Santa Monica. They talked about the current gallery structures, how to and how not to approach galleries in terms of representation, the struggles of post graduation for an artist, and much more. The speakers were insightful, knowledgable and extremely generous through the conversation, setting the bar extremely high as this series continues. The next panel is scheduled for Nov. 3 and will focus on the practice of Public Art, an announcement will be coming soon. Thank you to Sara for preparing such fantastic lead questions and engaged follow-ups. Thank you Deb and Tony for your time and energy, we know the audience truly felt rewarded.
At 6pm, we followed the panel with a gallery talk by GCAC exhibiting artist Erin Morrison, whose current exhibition Meditative Action is on exhibition in our Education Gallery. Erin toured patrons through the exhibition, talking about each work in the show and sharing her insights into process, theory and vision for the overall work. She shared insight into her current status as an MFA candidate at UCLA, her influences from both life and the artistic field, the growth of her current work, and her thoughts as the work moves forward. A very inspiring talk, so please join us in thanking Erin for this opportunity to engage the work so deeply.
At the conclusion of Erin’s talk, it was time for the Art Walk activities. The community joined us for the evening and the opportunity to see the exhibitions by Tony de los Reyes, Erin Morrison and the video installation Event Horizon by Constantin Hartenstein. Many were on hand to see the exhibitions after reading the excellent review of Border Theory in the current edition of the OC Weekly. We are thankful to Gustavo Arellano for such a positive review.
Along with the openings, we were joined onsite by individuals who are working with us to build an even stronger and healthier arts community. Rebecca Tuynman and her team from Ryman Arts were on hand with a Wishing Tree drawing activity. Grand Central Art Center and the CSUF College of the Arts have been in dialogue with Ryman over the past few month in development of a greater project, for which we hope to announce in the coming weeks, so please keep posted.
Claremont Graduate University Arts Management student AlÄ“ McGrew was here working on her cap-stone project, a semester long engagement research project involving Grand Central Art Center. AlÄ“ is working with GCAC towards a better understanding of our audience, answering basic questions like: Who is GCAC’s audience? How does GCAC monitor and understand our audience behavior? How does GCAC engage and cultivate their audience? How can GCAC work to better serve our audience? To date, the insights she has provided has been invaluable.
Saturday evening also marked opening weekend for this semesters Grand Central Art Center Theatre season. Managed and programmed by CSUF’s Department of Theatre and Dance, the 85 seat black box theatre presents an outstanding series of programs annually. The season kicked-off with a sell-out audience to Ordinary Day’s. The musical will continue to run through October 20, so purchase your tickets now and find out about upcoming Grand Central Art Center Theatre offerings on the Department of Theatre and Dance website: http://www.fullerton.edu/arts/gcac/theatre.html
On Sunday, Grand Central Art Center hosted a Farmers Market community forum, organized and moderated by Delilah Snell of The Road Less Traveled. A very diverse group of individuals came together to discuss the topic, past farmers markets in Santa Ana, structures that might need to be put into place to organize such a market, community groups whose voice should be at the table and the overall desire to get a Farmers Market in the Santa Ana community as rapidly as possible. It was clear, there was true knowledge, diverse perspective and passion in the room, and it was wonderful to have the opportunity to receive such wonderful insight. By the end of the meeting it was clear – if we can all work together to put past issues aside and unite in positive ways, we can collectively create something amazing – that is what we at GCAC would love to see most of all. Then we believe the next step would be, a well organized, well respected, serving everyone, Farmers Market! Thank you Delilah for making this happen and thank you to everyone who attended and provided feedback.
And throughout the day Monday, the sounds of drumbeats, piano, violin and clarinet are booming from our GCAC Theatre space, as artist in residence Brent Green and his collaborator Mike McGinley of Bitter Tears, work to develop and record the soundtrack for Green’s next feature film. It is joyous and ambitious energy drifting through our walls, and we are so truly grateful to have these two extremely talented individuals among us.
Brent and Mike, along with Tim Rutili (Califone), Tim Hurley (Califone), Mike McGinley (Bitter Tears), Jacquelyn Gordon (artist), and Jim Skuldt (artist), will be performing the live soundtrack with Green’s feature length Gravity Was Everywhere Back Then this Friday, October 12 at 7pm. The event is FREE TO ATTEND and is a collaborative presentation with the Orange County School for the Arts. Complete details can be found on our blog at: http://grandcentralartcenter.wordpress.com/2012/10/04/brent-green-film-with-live-performed-soundtrack-oct-12-7pm/
WE LOVE BEING PART OF OUR CAL STATE UNIVERSITY FULLERTON AND SANTA ANA COMMUNITY!!!