Where Right Meets Left

Posted on September 16, 2016 by cmashoc

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Two years ago, my long-time colleague, Caryn Blanton and I started down a path that would lead us to a deep friendship solidified with respect, understanding and love. Driven by a desire to change the landscape in our city with a shared passion for the arts and a belief that art excites, provokes, and inspires;  we concluded that art matters!

Traveling at the speed of light, the foundation was laid for The Center 4 Creative Arts, “the c4ca.” After 12 short months we were able to look back on a host of accomplishments. Together we:

  • Explored art venues throughout Southern California
  • Interviewed stakeholders
  • Created a strong case for a city arts center
  • Developed an advisory board
  • Enlisted support from artists, the school district, nonprofits and art lovers
  • Offered affordable, accessible art classes for Pre-kindergartners – third graders
  • Hosted an art in the park event for teens with graffiti artist, DJ and food
  • Facilitated a state of the Arts community event

Momentum was building to establish a place that promotes creativity, provides lifelong learning and celebrates visual and performing arts. We were two brains with one mind. But into our second year, I would lose my partner to a San Diego beach community.

Her departure was not drawn out. But it felt like the slow ripping off of a band-aid from the right brain. Intellectually, the left side of my brain knew what must be done, but it would take time for the right brain to heal.

In the months that followed, I reflected on the past, examined the present and realized what is in store for the future:  the c4ca. And so it moves forward with a vision for:

  • A strong professional and semi-professional visual arts community
  • Artists who typically work in their homes or in small studio spaces
  • A growing number of art galleries in the community
  • Visual arts organizations and artists that are no longer decentralized,
  • Accessible, affordable art classes to enhance and enrich the arts
  • An artistic venue available to rent for events, showings and receptions
  • Artist workspace and equipment to enhance the creative process
  • Community art events in collaboration with artists, art programs and art
  • A clearinghouse for arts information

Here is where the right and the left meet. Here is where our community will find the center 4 creative arts.