With ‘Sip & Savor the Arts,’ Reedley College can just taste a new performing arts center

As far as dreams go, this one has been around a long time. Folks at Reedley College have been wanting a new campus performing arts center for longer than most of us have been alive. Ninety years, to be exact.

Now the college’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts is on its way to becoming a reality. And you can win a four-pack of tickets to a swanky event on Sunday, May 6, raising money for construction costs. (See details on how to enter the giveaway for “Sip & Savor the Arts” tickets at the end of this post.)

The new performing arts facility is planned to be adjacent to Reed Avenue near the Forum Hall and Library buildings. It will seat between 650 and 750 people for performances and will include an art gallery and event gathering space. When you look at the conceptual drawings submitted by Darden Architects, it sure looks as if it will be an impressive structure.

How much will all this cost? Between $20 and $30 million.

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There’s bond money available for much of it, thanks to voters in the State Center Community College District, who passed a $485 million bond to build new facilities and renovate old ones. But voters were promised a lot in terms of facilities in that measure. (Bill McEwen of GV Wire has an interesting take on the issue here.) There’s likely to be a lot of competition for those dollars. Supporters of the Reedley arts center are working hard to raise supplemental funds to ensure the project’s success.

Which brings us to “Sip & Savor the Arts,” a showcase of renowned local artists that will be held 2-5 p.m. Sunday, May 6, at Reedley College. For $35 a person, you can enjoy appetizers, wine, entertainment and the chance to meet the artists.

The lineup includes Adam Longatti, Brenda Allison, Gail Perry Henricksen, Jason Esquivel, Kati Falk Thomson, Robert Keller, Ginny Burdick, Larry Hill, Manuela Perkins, Robert Schmalle, Roy Harland, Tracy Carrera and Ballis Glass.

From its founding in 1926 to the mid-1970s, Reedley College offered a full complement of arts programs. But inadequate facilities led to a disinvestment in these programs.

That’s changing, says Sandra Caldwell, the college’s president:

“With new energy and distinct and overwhelming support of the public, Reedley College is reinvesting in its educational programs and facilities. As a college dedicated to the sciences, agriculture, and business, the arts play a critical role in elevating the impact. Now, the College needs a top notch arts facility to bring it to life.”

You can read much more about the arts center here.

Win tickets to ‘Sip & Savor the Arts’

I’m giving away a four-pack of tickets to “Sip & Savor the Arts” at Reedley College. The event is 2-5 p.m. Sunday, May 6. (At $35 a ticket, this is a $140 value!) To enter, leave a comment on this post answering the following question: Have you ever been to a performance or artistic event in Reedley? (Or, if you’re shy, you can just say why you’d like to win.) Deadline to enter is 5 p.m. Thursday. I’ll pick the winner at random and notify him or her by email, so be sure to check yours on Thursday evening. Please don’t enter if you aren’t able to make the drive to Reedley.

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