Cheryl Chase- guest of Lee

Nan Young and Janice Wise- speakers and guests of Charles

 

     The Chief reported on lackluster banner sales and encouraged members with businesses to buy a banner for $350.  Thanks again to Dr. T for buying a banner!

   

 

Today's speakers were Nan Young and Janice Wise from Art, along with the Art Trek Conejo Cottontail. Nan Young, who started with a career in drama, started Art Trek 25 years ago, when her daughter was 3.  Nan knows Charles from Pathpoint.  Art Trek currently brings art to 35, 000 youth and 3000 adults in schools, senior centers, community events, corporations and others, including Pathpoint.  Art Trek has 25 employees and 500 volunteers and a large facility in Newbury Park right across from Amgen, and has multiple programs for toddlers to adults.  Jan Wise is the Director of Community Relations at Art Trek, joining their staff two months ago.  Prior to that Janice was a long time volunteer.  

 

Nan and Janice described the Conejo Cottontail Public Art Project, and the benefits of public art.  They emphasized that public art is free to everyone to enjoy and helps people be in the moment when they see the art.  The Cottontails are 5 1/2 feet tall and are made of fiberglass, and manufactured in Chicago.  Each artist paints their Cottontail with a different theme, but the project emphasizes joy and whimsy.  The Cottontail project is in partnership with the Arts Council of the Conejo.  Each Cottontail costs $5000, with $2500 going to the artist for supplies, transportation costs etc., and the other $2500 used to support Art Trek's programs at Senior Concerns, Pathpoint, Safe Passages and Open Heart Ranch.  

 

There are Conejo Cottontails at The Shoppes, Stonehaus, the Cancer Support Community, Senior Concerns, Conejo Park and Recreation, and there will soon be one at the Westlake Village Golf Course.  Art Trek and the Arts Council are actively seeking to place more Cottontails throughout the community.  Please contact Nan at Art Trek if you can help.