A big THANK YOU to Channel 26, KMPH, for promoting ArtHop on the morning of the first Thursday ArtHop on September 2. One of the Fresno Arts Council’s Curators, Leonard Nevels, will be live on the 8:00 show to promote the exhibit of City employees artwork on both floors of City Hall.

Fresno City College

“Our Journey to Now…The Centennial Exhibit” is a special tribute to Fresno City College’s Centennial anniversary. The exhibit runs August 30 to September 17 in the Fresno City College Art Space Gallery. A reception will be held on ArtHop, September 2, 5:00 – 8 p.m. The gallery will be open on Friday, September 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the College's Centennial Convocation.

This special retrospect will highlight the college’s history from its beginnings in 1910 as California’s first community college to the present, 100 years later. The exhibit will feature a number of items, memorabilia, heirlooms, and photographs that showcase Fresno City College’s humble beginnings and its expansion through the next century as it became the premier community college in the state. The exhibit also features selected art works from local artists including watercolor artist Pat Hunter, co-owner of Gallery II.

Gallery hours are Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Wednesday & Thursday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Art Space Gallery phone number is 442-4600, ext. 8909.

Community Enrichment Program

Congratulations to the 37 organizations awarded grants for the final round of FAC’s Community Enrichment Program. We are looking forward to another year of great exhibits, performances, events and capital development projects that advance the arts. Click here to read more about it.

PlanItFresno – What is that?

The unveiling of the Fresno Bee’s online calendar, PlanItFresno, will be held on Wednesday, September 22 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm at the Fresno Art Museum. This online calendar will have reach throughout the extensive area that the Fresno Bee covers and will be an asset for tourism . All organizations that want to publicize and post events are encouraged to join us for drinks and appetizers at the kick-off event. RSVP to 441-6286.

Movie Night in the Park

September is the final month of the free Movies in the Park at Eaton Plaza in downtown Fresno presented by Comcast and the City of Fresno. Music, movies, food. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.

Final movies:
• 9/3 Norma Rae (union night)
• 9/10 Princess and the Frog
• 9/17 G Force
• 9/24 UP

Need Volunteers?

Students at Fresno City College are available to provide community service with non-profit organizations for which they earn college credit. Contact Lynn Badertscher at Fresno City College if you need volunteers. Email lynnb@fresnocitycollege.edu or call 442-4600 extension 8127.

CSUF – Fresno State Magazine

I was surprised and thrilled to be named in the Centennial events Fresno State Magazine. See Class Notes – 1990’s. The magazine is chock-full of centennial events through 2011. Doug Hanson, author and artist, and Reza Assemi, developer in the cultural arts district of downtown Fresno are also recognized. Jack Kelley, founder of the African American Museum was highlighted in a two page article.

Model Call

Buckingham Images and Modeling is calling for models for Fresno’s biggest fashion show, Fashion Fantasy, presented by St. Agnes. Model call date: Sunday, September 12, 4:00 pm at the Palatine/Slates Building. Event will be held November 6 at the Convention Center – complete with entertainment. Models must contact BuckinghamModeling@hotmail.com to RSVP and find out what to bring and wear for the model call.

Grammy Museum

I have been hearing great revues about the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles so thought I would share it. It is an exciting, interactive celebration of the power of music. Monthly event calendars on line. Reasonable individual and group rates. Daily hours from 11:30 am to 7:30 pm – a great field trip for students. Contact Liza Sheketoff at lsheketoff@aegworldwide.com or call (213) 763-4681. Visit their website at www.grammymuseum.org.

Fresno Arts Council Festival of Art & Wine
October 16, 2010 / 6PM - 10PM

FAC’s upcoming Festival of Art & Wine at the San Joaquin River Parkway Hallowell Center for River Studies on October 16 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm is going to be one of the events you don’t want to miss.

The art exhibits will be outstanding, food will be delectable, and Napa Valley wineries will be present with a wide array of wines. Patrick Contreras, Fresno’s master of the violin, will be headlining the entertainment along with local jazz and blues musicians.

Contact mfranco@fresnoartscouncil.org for more information. Vendor booths are available at a reasonable rate, and sponsors are welcome.

ART LOVER License Plate - Help us reach One Million Arts plates!

The ART LOVER license plate sales fund arts programs, arts education and entertainment. The plate was designed by artist Wayne Thiebold. The Million Plates Campaign for the Arts was officially launched in Los Angeles on June 28. Visit the California Arts Council website to see the video of the announcement from Gov. Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver. We want Fresno to go all out to help with this campaign.

We are seeking not only individuals to purchase the plates, but also businesses with fleets of vehicles. Organizations with upcoming events are encouraged to contact the Fresno Arts Council so that we can promote the license plates at your events. Your support in this effort to raise funds for the arts is not only appreciated, but is essential.

One million cars with California Arts Plates would mean $40 million for the arts. That would put California near the top in arts funding rather than dead last. Californians have the power to take our state from last to first in arts funding by choosing the Arts Plate for their cars and supporting arts for children and a strong creative economy and arts infrastructure.

Arts Plates are now tax deductible. All fees for the Arts Plate are considered a charitable contribution to the California Arts Council. Businesses and residents looking to support arts statewide now have an extra incentive to support California arts – and have a cool looking license plate as well.

Since the Arts Plate first went on sale in 1994 it has raised over $20 million for California arts through sales and renewals. Currently over 60 % of the California Arts Council’s budget comes from the Arts Plate.

4 Steps to Order an Arts Plate

Looking to get an Arts Plate for yourself or a loved one? Follow these simple steps.

1. Go to the DMV Specialty License Plate page.
2. Choose a sequential (random number) or personalized plate.
3. Fill out the form. Standard plate ordering requires the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
4. Purchase using a major credit card.

Arts Card powered by FresnoLive Discount

The Fresno Arts Council has partnered with FresnoLive to bring the ARTS CARD into the arts community. The FresnoLive Discount Card has many discounts available from local retailers with more being added each month.

The ARTS CARD discount card can be picked up from the FAC office for $10.00 in cash or check. It can also be purchased on our website with a credit card for an additional $2 convenience fee and the ARTS CARD will be mailed to your address.

Better yet, when you become a paying member of the Fresno Arts Council, you are automatically given an ARTS CARD as a benefit.

---