(From press release) After a pandemic pause and slow restart, activities in the creative sector are multiplying and gaining momentum, Davis arts supporters attest.
That was the word at the Feb. 16 meeting of Arts Alliance Davis, where participants shared information on events, and ideas to help the local art scene flourish.
Autumn Labbé-Renault, executive director of Davis Media Access, said people are adjusting to being around others, and ready to return to lively, shared spaces without as much apprehension about COVID. Joseph Fletcher, manager of the Veterans Memorial Theatre, said he’s getting lots of last-minute creative requests to use the City’s recently remodeled venue.
Jessie Nakahara, with the City of Davis’ Arts and Cultural Affairs program, sees evidence of this too, noting that there is no longer a slow season in Davis. Locals are enthusiastic about new ideas and willing to try new things.
One of those passionate concepts is a new studio for emerging artists called Secret Spot. It began six months ago and is already expanding. The organizers – local artists Harry Greer, Stephanie Peel and Toni Rizzo – just signed a lease for 117 D St., former home to The Wardrobe. It already rented the garage space behind the building. The turquoise studio up front will be an artist lounge, gallery and gift shop, open five days a week. The old space will stay on as a music studio, among other things.
Secret Spot is meant as a stepping stone between art creators and established galleries, Rizzo said. “It’s for the weirdos of Davis who are making art and are a little outside the norm… and for fun, strange events that people won’t want to miss.”
They plan a grand opening on March 1. On Feb. 6, the trio created a Go Fund Me page, hoping to raise a $16,000 nest egg to get the expansion project running. It’s at https://gofund.me/8b44280a.
Arts Alliance Davis meetings are open to anyone interested in or involved with local arts and culture. The most recent gathering at Davis Musical Theatre Company drew nearly two dozen participants. Each meeting includes introductions and announcements from participants, who share ideas and updates. Below are some takeaways:
- Hiram Jackson, a Davis Joint Unified School District trustee, spoke to the group about Measure N, a Davis parcel tax on the March 5 ballot. Its funds would boost elementary music and science instruction, school librarians, counselors, nurses and more.
- Natalie Nelson, director of the Pence Gallery, talked about the self-guided Davis Art Studio Tour, April 13 and 14. Since it includes 40 artists in shows all over town, she suggested attending the preview exhibit. That’s at the gallery, 212 D St., March 8 through April 3, and displays a piece from every artist. That will help people decide which artists’ shows to attend. Works include photography, painting, sculpture and more. An opening reception is at 6 p.m. on March 8.
- Davis Musical Theatre Company is celebrating its 40th anniversary season. Its latest show, “Fiddler on the Roof,” runs March 1-24. For details, visit https://dmtc.org/.
Former City of Davis City Manager Dirk Brazil introduced himself as the interim executive director of the Davis Downtown Business Association. He’s working to build better partnerships with Davis and downtown business owners as the organization looks for a permanent director.
Arts Alliance Davis was formed in 2015 as a grassroots effort to give artists and their supporters the opportunity to gather, share ideas and create meaningful impact. Meetings held at least quarterly at local arts-related establishments are open to anyone.
The group plans a social from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 26, at Delta of Venus, 122 B St., Davis. DJ El Marchante will play Caribbean and Latin American music that evening.
For more information on Arts Alliance Davis, to post an event or opportunity, contact Oona Hatton at davisrepertory@gmail.com. To subscribe to the mailing list, go to http://artsalliancedavis.org/.
Learn more about local and regional arts, Arts Alliance Davis and City of Davis Arts and Cultural Affairs through the following channels:
- Arts Alliance Davis website http://artsalliancedavis.org/
- City of Davis Arts Instagram @cityofdavisarts, hashtag #cityofdavisarts
- City of Davis Arts & Cultural Affairs Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DavisArtsandCulture
- City of Davis Arts website at https://www.cityofdavis.org/arts
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