News of the Arroyo
Title: | Supports Arroyo Center |
Subtitle: | |
Date: | 2007-02-01 |
Summary: | February 1, 2007 - Letter-writer Martyn Belmont writes in support of the Arroyo Center for Art and the Environment. |
Author: | Martyn Belmont |
Publication: | Pasadena Star-news |
Content: | I am writing in support of the Arroyo Center for the Arts and the Environment. This project is a truly exciting one for all the citizens of Pasadena and would be the crowning addition to the revitalization of the lower Arroyo. We on the board of La Casita Foundation approve this project wholeheartedly. I find it faintly amusing, in this era of preservation and restoration, that most of the \"pure\" environmentalists and restorationists want to tear down the existing buildings as they have no significant historical value. To me, the beauty of this project is that the Arroyo Center will enhance and soften the appearance of these buildings to fit in with the surrounding new native gardens, thereby saving millions of dollars in needless demolition and construction costs. This center could become a model throughout the country for the responsible recycling of bunkers and concrete. Your editorial of Feb. 1, \"Building a green Valley,\" supports this concept. This proposal saves 90 percent of this area for open spaces. The small museum is proposed to be a home for the genre of plein air painting that was born in the Arroyo. While there may be many museums in Pasadena, there are no museums that center on the California Impressionist movement, which was so important to the cultural life and growth of early Pasadena. In addition, the California Art Club has already formed alliances with Kidspace, the Art Center and the Armory for collaborative classes for the children of Pasadena. These classes will not be conducted at the Arroyo Center, but at the other sites mentioned. These sites already have teaching and parking facilities consistent with higher traffic density necessary for such endeavors. Baseless rumors of commercial enterprise and multiple museum openings for thousands abound, but the truth is that the California Art Club and the Arroyo Seco Foundation are both non-profit organizations that survive on donations and grants. As part of their joint mission statements, both organizations have publicly stated that they will limit the number of receptions to no more than five per year. I sincerely hope that the City Council will vote in favor of the Arroyo Center for the Arts and the Environment. Martyn Belmont Pasadena |
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