Walnut Creek's Center For Community Arts Featured In New Exhibit

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA —Arts Contra Costa County — or ARTSCCC— curates quarterly exhibitions showcasing the county’s creative community. The current Art Passages exhibition highlights two leading organizations that provide impressive arts education services in Contra Costa County.

The featured art organizations are the Center for Community Arts of Walnut Creek and Los Medanos College Art Department in Pittsburg. Each participating organization highlighted three artists, including instructors or students.

Center for Community Arts chose Avery Liell-Kok, Leslie Wilson and Cybele Gerachis as the participating artists.

The Center for Community Arts is part of Walnut Creek’s Arts and Recreation Department. It offers a wide range of art classes and workshops for all ages, serving over 10,000 individuals each year. Experienced artists teach courses in drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, glass, fiber arts, jewelry, photography, digital media, dance, music, and theater. The Center’s mission is to inspire creativity and community through the arts, providing opportunities for everyone to explore and discover at every stage of life.

Alexis Ramirez, Sarah Lee and Lucy Snow were the participating artists chosen to represent the Los Medanos Art Department.

The Los Medanos College Art Department offers a comprehensive program for aspiring artists. It features ceramics, sculpture, painting, drawing, graphic design, photography, and more classes. The curriculum includes foundational and intermediate studio courses, as well as art appreciation and history.

"We are honored to highlight the Center for Community Arts and Los Medanos College Art Department," said Jenny Balisle, executive founding director of Arts Contra Costa County. "Arts education is vital to supporting a creative and resilient community. The arts provide a positive outlet for our social and emotional well-being. We are fortunate for the world-class creative talent and art educators of Contra Costa County."

With various pathways to success, students can pursue an associate of arts degree focusing on fine arts or graphic communications, a certificate in graphic communications, or general education courses that meet transfer requirements for UC or CSU systems. This diverse program equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their artistic careers and academic pursuits, fostering a strong foundation for future endeavors in the arts.

Arts Contra Costa County is a grassroots service and advocacy arts organization whose top priority is an equitable and sustainable arts organization. ARTSCCC writes grants, manages projects, promotes social media, and advocates policy to support the creative community. The nonprofit Independent Arts & Media is the fiscal sponsor for ARTSCCC.

ATSC signature programs include a Poetry Series Program at John A. Davis Juvenile Hall; the Cultural Corridor Project, which connects artists throughout Contra Costa County; and the Danza de los Diablos de Santiago Juxtlahuaca, Oaxaca (Dance of the Devils of Santiago Juxtlahuaca, Oaxaca) an Indigenous dance project.

On Feb. 6, 2006, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors designated Arts Contra Costa County a fiscally-sponsored Independent Arts & Media project, to serve as the county’s official local arts agency. ARTSCCC is expanding its organization, staff and network per its five-year contract with Contra Costa County to provide additional services.

The "Art Passages" exhibition is displayed through Jan. 7 at the County Administration Building, 1025 Escobar St in Martinez. The building is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 8, there will be an exhibition reception.

To learn more, visit Artsccc.com.