News of the Arroyo
Title: | Arroyo Center for Art and the Environment Proposed for Desiderio Site |
Subtitle: | A New Gem for the Arroyo |
Date: | 2006-09-08 |
Summary: | September 8, 2006 - There's an exciting news proposal for the site of the soon-to-be-abandoned Desiderio Army Reserve Center beneath the Colorado Street Bridge. It's the Arroyo Center for Art and the Environment, a joint venture of the Arroyo Seco Foundation and the California Art Club. |
Author: | News Release |
Publication: | Arroyo Seco News |
Content: | The Arroyo Seco Foundation and the California Art Club today submitted a proposal to Pasadena to create the Arroyo Center for Art and the Environment on the spectacular site beneath the Colorado Street Bridge that now houses the Desiderio Army Reserve Center in Pasadena. The Arroyo Center for Art and the Environment, a joint venture of Arroyo Seco Foundation and the California Art Club, would reestablish a scenic natural setting on that bluff above the Arroyo Seco stream and develop a cultural and educational treasure for the entire region. The Arroyo Seco has been an extraordinary center of art and the environment that has played an important role in the natural and cultural history of Southern California. “This verdant canyon has been the scene of many beautiful paintings by the most important California impressionists,” said Peter Adams of the California Art Club, “so it is appropriate that this site above the Arroyo stream should be home to an institution devoted to promoting art and nature awareness.” Tim Brick, Managing Director of the Arroyo Seco Foundation, said, “The Arroyo Center for Art and the Environment will be a new gem of the Arroyo, providing this generation’s contribution to the rich history and culture of the Arroyo Seco.” The Arroyo Center for Art and the Environment (ACAE) will provide: * An Art Museum featuring California Impressionism * An Art Academy providing traditional art training * An Art Research and Archival Library as well as a special Arroyo Library * An Arroyo Visitors Center * A Watershed Center to provide classroom and field instruction in environmental education * A park, landscaped in natives and incorporating the best principles of watershed management and low-impact development * Scenic viewing areas and trail access to the Arroyo Seco stream zone. The California Art Club, which is based in Pasadena, is the leading organization devoted to California Impressionist Art. CAC has been planning for several years to develop a California Art Academy and Museum devoted to plein-air art and the painters of the Arroyo and Southern California. The Arroyo Seco Foundation has been leading environmental education and Arroyo restoration programs for many years. ASF is interested in expanding their environmental and watershed education programs and organizational coordination for Arroyo restoration efforts. The two organizations will seek to obtain the property through a \"public conveyance\" (i.e. free) through the Federal Lands to Parks Program of the National Parks Service. The plan is to enhance the natural character of the property with native landscaping in a park-like setting and rehab the existing buildings to utilize them for educational and display purposes. The City of Pasadena is the lead local agency on the disposition of the property and is conducting a public process to determine the best use of the property. Today was the deadline for applications from interested parties. Proposals will now be reviewed by city official officials and a series of public meetings will be held to make the final decision. ----------------- Contact: Elaine Adams, Executive Director, California Art Club, (626) (626) 577-7733, info@americanlegacyfinearts.com Tim Brick, Managing Director, Arroyo Seco Foundation, (626) 584-9902, tbrick@email.com |
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