|
Arts, culture are thriving (A Closer Look cont.) |
For a small town, Auburn has a lot to offer art lovers. From a full symphony to a countywide arts group, Auburn is becoming a hub of cultural activity for the foothills.
Founded in 1983, PlacerArts is a nonprofit organization devoted to promoting arts and humanities in Placer County.
Celebrating its 25th year, the organization puts on the annual Auburn Art Walk, popular Jazz at 808 series featuring musician Jimmy Robinson, Autumn Art Studios Tour, Library Garden Summer Series, AGROArt Competition, Starry Starry Night fundraiser, the Arties, after-school programs and more.
“The diverse offerings of arts and culture here and all the wonderful organizations and their volunteers are what make it so special,” said Angela Tahti, executive director of PlacerArts. “We shouldn’t take it for granted because it is a community effort. It is a community and we should remain invested for years to come.”
By working with local communities, PlacerArts helps make art accessible to the general public.
“We have six municipalities and a lot of little suburbs and we (serve) all of them,” Tahti said. “One way we help cover all the geographic territory on such small budgets is by partnering with community local (groups) such as Lincoln Arts, Roseville Arts and North Tahoe Arts. Those are all private sector nonprofit organizations. We also partner with two municipal commmissions such as Auburn Arts Commission and Roseville Cultural Arts Committee as well as Rocklin Parks & Recreation.”
The Auburn Arts Commission, a branch of the city government, recently completed a public art map identifying statues, murals, galleries and other points of artistic interest in the city. The commission’s goal is to foster and promote the visual and performing arts in Auburn.
The Auburn Symphony held its first performance on May 20, 1988 with a concert at Placer High titled “Birth of a Symphony.” Originally a program of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, the symphony has since become its own nonprofit organization and is housed in the Arts Building at 808 Lincoln Way in Downtown Auburn.
Under Maestro Michael Goodwin, who has headed up the symphony since 1995, the symphony has grown to 70 musicians and includes programs such as two Messiah Sing-Along performances (held in Auburn and Rocklin), KinderKonzert, Music on the Green, three subscription series concerts and a performance at the Mondavi Center in Davis.
“It has been characterized by one of the visiting conductors last year as ‘the finest community orchestra that he has had an association with in the U.S.,’” said Julianne Smith, of the symphony. “Michael Goodwin is just so wonderful working with the orchestra. What I appreciate is at the beginning of the piece, he gives an explanation of that piece that provides the listener a greater insight so then you can appreciate the music more.”
One fan includes Bob Haydon of Community First Bank.
“We have one of the finest symphonies in America,” he said while speaking at a gathering last week.
The next symphony concert, “Romancing the Exotic,” will be April 26 and 27 at Placer High auditorium in Auburn. The visiting soloist will be Tina Guo, a cello player.
 |
Subscribe to this comment's feed