A great city must have great art but, where will we see the great art?
• In public art displays, art galleries, art museums, performing art theaters, art lectures, art fairs, art walks, visual art exhibits in city hall, visual performing cultural art centers and television programs interviewing local artists.
• Art teacher lectures about the importance of art education, visual education and the importance in the local environment.
• Special tours planned to art museums and art galleries as well as to private art collections and artists’ studios in different locations are a great way to promote the arts.
• Casual Fridays with a microbrew and informal performances by local performing and visual art groups.
With opportunities for cultural attractions, tourism makes economic returns to the city but, how can all of the above be achieved? The City Council must begin to investigate the ways and means for Santa Clarita to become a great art city. A city arts and culture commission will need to be established.
In order to accomplish some of the venues mentioned above, we will need to be SCV art advocates by supporting the events and performances. Donations from residents in Santa Clarita can get the ball rolling by providing quality art collections or pieces of art to be hung in city hall until a SCV Art Museum can be created. The above possibilities are the seeds that need to be planted and supported. Time is needed to make these venues a reality.
The public is invited to contact me if interested in helping make Santa Clarita a city that promotes the arts. I look forward to hearing from many people who read this article.
Jaylene Armstrong is a retired art educator from Madison, Wisconsin and is a member of the Santa Clarita Artists’ Association.
For more information, please call 661-255-3050.