After four years of fund-raising and renovations, The Athenaeum, La Jolla’s membership library for art and music resources, is ready for a “Reclamation Celebration,” revealing the full extent of its two additional buildings that house new art exhibits.
A reception to thank program donors will be held Friday, Jan. 12, followed by a dinner Saturday, Jan. 13, both by invitation only. A community day, open to the public and featuring music from two live bands, gallery tours and demonstrations by art teachers, will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14.
“With the expansion, we are able to fulfill our mission to a much better extent by providing more programs and services to the community,” said Erika Torri, the library’s executive director. “We now have more space for our collections.”
Located at 1008 Wall St., the Athenaeum is one of 16 remaining membership libraries in the country. It is open to the general public but residents must become members before checking out materials, which include books, CDs, DVDs, records and sheet music, according to Torri. The facility also offers lectures and studio art classes.
A nonprofit organization, the Athenaeum gains support through hosting at least 70 concerts and 20 art exhibitions per year, Torri said.
For more information about the Athenaeum, visit www.ljathenaeum.org or call (858) 454-5872. Membership is $40 per year for individuals and $50 for families.