San Diego arts
organizations recognized
State Sen. Christine Kehoe joined the California Arts Council for a grant awards presentation on Oct. 17 to honor 18 arts organizations and highlight the quality of work they do in schools and communities.
The event, held at Malashock Dance Studio at Dance Place San Diego, at Liberty Station’s NTC Promenade, honored grantees in three programs: Artists in Schools (AIS), Creating Public Value through the Arts (CPV), and State-Local Partnership (SLP).
The City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture was an SLP recipient and is the key local agency for the arts in San Diego.
The CPV grant awards are given to arts organizations in rural and underserved areas to implement projects that strengthen relationships within their communities, demonstrate relevance to those they serve and show a positive return on investment.
Recipients of CPV grants were Fallbrook Music Society and Samahan Filipino American Performing Arts.
The AIS recipient organizations provide quality arts training to students in kindergarten to grade 12 by professional artists during the school day or in after-school programs.
Recipients of AIS grants include: City Ballet of San Diego, Eveoke Dance Theatre, Malashock Dance Company, Media Arts Center San Diego, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, San Diego Ballet, San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego Opera, San Diego Youth Symphony and WorldBeat Cultural Center, among others.
More than $170,000 in grants was awarded. For more information on the California Arts Council and a complete list of organizations honored, visit www.cac.ca.gov.
Mingei receives donation and challenge grant
In recognition of its 30th anniversary this year, Mingei International announced a leadership gift of $500,000 from longtime museum friend and vice chair of the board of trustees Francis Hamilton White.
White also pledged to match new donations from individuals dollar for dollar, up to an additional $500,000 that the museum raises until its annual gala, to be held on May 4, 2008.
“I hope this challenge opens new opportunities for greater public support of Mingei International Museum,” White said in a press release.
“By matching donations one to one, I particularly hope to encourage new donors to become involved in supporting this fine institution.”
Funds collected will be used equally to support current operations, the museum’s endowment fund and a future capital campaign fund.
Individuals interested in donating to this challenge match can make a gift at either museum location “” in Balboa Park at 1439 El Prado or in Escondido at 155 W. Grand Ave. “” or online at www.mingei.org.
Star of India celebrates 144 years of history
The Star of India, San Diego’s foremost waterfront icon, marks her 144th anniversary in November.
The Maritime Museum of San Diego will celebrate with several special events throughout the month.
On Saturday, Nov. 10 and Sunday, Nov. 11, the Star of India will get underway for her annual sail. HMS Surprise, a replica of an 18th-century Royal Navy frigate, will also be getting under way. HMS Surprise will be sailing for the first time since the museum acquired the ship in 2004.
The schooners Californian and Lynx will offer an extraordinary sailing experience for their passengers as they sail alongside the two square-riggers.
Tickets to sail on board Californian and Lynx on the 10th and 11th are $125 per person, and the price includes delicious breakfast and lunch buffets.
The schooners will leave the Maritime Museum of San Diego at 9 a.m. each day and return at approximately 5 p.m.
Tickets are available on the museum’s website, www.sdmaritime.org, or by calling (619) 234-9153 ext. 101.
Proceeds help to underwrite the cost of sailing the Star of India.
On Saturday, Nov. 17, the museum will throw a birthday bash for the Star of India. While admission to the historic ship will be free on that day, admission will still be required to tour the other ships in the museum’s collection.
The party runs from noon to 3 p.m. and will feature live music and lots of family fun. Guests will sing happy birthday and share birthday cake at 1 p.m.
The best spots to view the Star of India’s unique annual voyage from the shore are at Point Loma, Shelter Island, Harbor Island and the Embarcadero. Boat owners are invited to join the flotilla of private watercraft that traditionally accompany the Star of India as she makes her way back into the harbor.
The museum is located at 1492 North Harbor Drive on the Embarcadero. For more information call (619) 234-9153 or visit www.sdmaritime.org.
Pottery sale in
parque balboa
The San Diego Potters Guild presents its biannual sale on Nov. 10 and 11 in Balboa Park. Located in the Park’s Spanish Village patio area, the sale features thousands of pieces of hand-made ceramics by many of San Diego’s finest potters.
All of the items at the sale are one of a kind. Works range from functional ware such as plates, bowls and coffee cups to more decorative and sculptural forms such as ceramic shoes, garden lanterns and conch shells. Prices range from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars.
In addition to buying hand-made ceramics, guests can also meet the artists. Most of the guild members will be available to answer questions about ceramics in general or their own work in particular.
There will also be demonstrations of throwing pots on the wheel.
Sale hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Spanish Village is located south of the San Diego Zoo on Village Place. For information call the guild at (619) 239-0507 or visit the website at www.sandiegopottersguild.org.
Display features ‘H’ from original Hollywood sign
Relief sculptor Bill Mack purchased the 84-year-old original Hollywood sign with plans to create artwork to pay tribute to Hollywood’s early days.
Images of Marilyn Monroe, Greta Garbo and James Dean have since been painted on panels of the original “H,” then pieced together to create an artistic 8-foot-tall “H.”
This piece of art made from one of America’s most established landmarks will be on sale and on display free of charge at Seaport Village from Nov. 8 to 11.
More information on Bill Mack’s Hollywood sign artwork, information about how to purchase and additional art will be available inside the Whitt/Krauss Gallery.
Seaport Village is located at 849 W. Harbor Dr. For directions or more information visit www.seaportvillage.com or call (619) 235-4014.