I believe our coastal community would greatly benefit from an art center similar to the one found in Mendocino CA. That center is close enough that it can be visited for first-hand research to determine if their system can work here; meanwhile, it can be explored online. http://www.mendocinoartcenter.org/level2/about.lasso
I agree. We just returned from a vacation in Mendocino and thought the art center was a good visual model for what the interim plan for PV might be. It’s noteworthy that Mendocino is a town of only 1107 people. Here are 3 video clips I took while on vacation showing what appear to be classrooms converted into artists studios and galleries.
Thanks for your posts, Dennis and Cyrus, very helpful. I see on the Mendocino website that they offer various levels of membership and teach several classes. This could work in Encinitas as well as a way for the center to pay for itself. Not to mention concerts, dance performances, seminars, etc.
Hi Laurent and Dennis…As a grand vision in the distant future, when our city coffers are full again, we might peek at the Art and Cultural Center in Carmel. The building itself takes up nearly a city block! In addition to on-going education in culture and the arts, they are a high-end venue for national and international musicians. Just daydreaming…
Yes Cyrus, I have the same vision of a grander scale project with international reach. We already have a beautifully built library with an ocean view and great events that are regularly attended, and a community center with an equally gorgeous view and filled with activities. The trick would be to keep the Pacific View area environmentally safe despite increased traffic and create sufficient parking to sustain larger numbers of visitors without disturbing the neighborhood. I’m sure it’s feasible if engineers and environmentalists get together to figure it out!
I think Encinitas definitely needs a place for dance, music and art. I have attended quite a few performances at the Encinitas Library and I can tell you they are well attended but usually there is only one row of seats that has a decent view, that being the front row. People have to stand a lot or seat on the floor. Plus I would like to see an outdoor stage be part of any art center having just attended a concert at the Birch Aquarium on their outdoor patio with an ocean view – it was spectacular and very well attended. They call them Green Flash concerts.
Also, has anyone considered contacting Conrad Prebys to see if he would be interested in building an arts center. He has built a concert hall at UCSD and a student center at SDSU. Worth a try if you ask me. Definitely think there should be some educational aspect to the art center.