Newest articles and comments on The Sacramento Press written by Kathleen Richards

Kathleen Richards on "Fairytale Town - new play equipment in Sherwood Forest"

2013-02-18T18:05:14Z

Hi Xeney, the wood structure was showing signs of wear and tear. Wood play structures tend to have a shorter life span than play structures made of metal and plastic. We were sad to see the structure go as well, but it was great to see children of all ages enjoy the new play structure over the weekend. The balance beam is still in Sherwood Forest, and we replaced the older handmade wooden chairs with new handmade wooden chairs. We’d love to love to send you some tickets so you and your children could come and check out the new play structure. Please email us at mail@fairytaletown.org if that is something you would be interested in.

Grimm Brothers’ Fairytales Come to Life for Halloween at Fairytale Town

2012-10-11T17:15:53Z

Things will be looking Grimm at Fairytale Town for this year's Safe and Super Halloween. The fairytales of Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm will come to life for three nights of family fun on October 26, 27 and 28 from 5 to 9 p.m.

Families will enjoy visiting Sleeping Beauty’s castle, walking through Little Red Riding Hood’s forest, and sneaking a peek at the Evil Queen’s Lair. Seventeen candy stations will be scattered throughout the park for trick-or-treaters to visit. The evening also features hands-on activities and a costume parade.

Puppet Art Theater Company will perform “Goldilocks and the Three Sharks” in the Children’s Theater at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Through the magic of blacklight, the audience will be transported deep into an ocean environment where Goldilocks the Mermaid looks for adventure and finds nothing but trouble and a family of man-eating sharks. Tickets for the puppet show are $1 for Fairytale Town members and $2 for nonmembers.

This year marks the 26th anniversary of Fairytale Town's Safe and Super Halloween, which provides children and families a safe place to trick or treat, have quality family time, and enjoy a great evening of Halloween-themed, family-friendly fun.

Advance tickets are $7 members and $10 nonmembers. Beginning October 26, tickets are $9 members and $12 nonmembers. Children ages 1 and under are free. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.fairytaletown.org, by phone at (916) 808-7462 or in person at the Fairytale Town box office.

Safe and Super Halloween: A Grimm Halloween is sponsored by Smile Business Products, ScholarShare College Savings Plan and SAFE Credit Union.

For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462.

Fairytale Town is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit children’s park and educational center in Land Park whose mission is to promote the imagination, creativity and education of children. Established in 1959, Fairytale Town is home to 25 three-dimensional play sets based on favorite fairytales and nursery rhymes, a family of 22 rare and miniature breed animals, three interactive learning gardens and two performing arts stages. From March through October, the park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. From November through February, the park is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards is the Marketing Manager for Fairytale Town, a magical children's park in the Land Park neighborhood of Sacramento. Her favorite play set is the Crooked Mile.

Fairytale Town Presents ScholarShare Children’s Book Festival on September 29 & 30

2012-09-27T16:26:53Z

The ScholarShare Children's Book Festival returns for a 12th annual celebration of books, reading and childhood on September 29 and 30. The two-day Festival—the largest early childhood literacy event in the region—is free to the public, thanks to the generous support of ScholarShare College Savings Plan.

The Festival features dynamic presentations from children's book authors and illustrators, storytelling performances, hands-on literacy activities, a book fair and information booths from literacy and arts organizations.

“With our nursery rhyme and fairytale-themed park, Fairytale Town is the perfect place to engage children and encourage reading,” said Kathy Fleming, executive director of Fairytale Town. “The ScholarShare Children’s Book Festival is a great opportunity for children and parents alike to renew or create a love of reading.”

This year’s featured children’s book authors include: Bob Barner, Dorina Lazo Gilmore, Sandy Lynne Holman, Heather Leigh, Bethany Telles, Joanne Jeffers Veeck and Dawn Wynne. Featured illustrators include Felipe Davalos, Michael Slack and Kenneth Spengler. Hazuki Kataoka of Storycard Theater will give a storytelling performance featuring their traditional Japanese picture-card stories called “kamishibai,” meaning “paper theater.”

The Festival is sponsored by ScholarShare College Savings Plan. Additional sponsors include Wells Fargo, Blue Diamond Growers, Ronald McDonald House Charities, IKEA, Sierra Health Foundation and Time Tested Books. Media sponsors include Mix 96, Sacramento magazine, KVIE Channel 6, The Sacramento Bee, News 10 and Sac & Co.

For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards is the Marketing Manager for Fairytale Town, a magical children's park in the Land Park neighborhood of Sacramento. Her favorite play set is the Crooked Mile.

“Wizard of Oz” Screening Marks Completion of Yellow Brick Road Play Set

2012-08-28T18:08:02Z

Fairytale Town will celebrate the completion of the Yellow Brick Road play set with two outdoor screenings of “The Wizard of Oz” on Friday, Aug. 31. The first screening at 7 p.m. will feature the classic movie plus arts and crafts activities for kids. A second screening at 10 p.m. will show the movie played along with the cult-favorite Pink Floyd album, “The Dark Side of the Moon.”

Since 2009, thousands of families and individuals have immortalized their messages, dreams, special dates and memories on commemorative bricks along the Yellow Brick Road. Just as the Yellow Brick Road leads the way to Dorothy’s destination of the Emerald City in the classic movie, Fairytale Town’s Yellow Brick Road leads visitors to the main entrance of the park.

“The outdoor screenings of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ are fun and fitting tributes to reaching the end of our Yellow Brick Road,” said Kathy Fleming, executive director of Fairytale Town. “And just for fun, at the 10 p.m. screening, visitors will be able to decide if the movie and album, played simultaneously, do in fact go together.”

Tickets are $5 per person per screening. Members and brick owners receive two-for-one admission. Gates will open 30 minutes prior to each screening. Blankets and chairs are welcome. Outside food and beverages are not permitted.

Pop Up Cinema: “The Wizard of Oz” is sponsored in part by Style Magazine. For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards is the Marketing Manager for Fairytale Town, a magical children's park in the Land Park neighborhood of Sacramento. Her favorite play set is the Crooked Mile.

Jackie Greene Live at Fairytale Town on August 18

2012-07-23T18:14:34Z

Sacramento favorite Jackie Greene will return to Fairytale Town for a fourth annual benefit concert on Saturday, August 18. Taking place on the park’s Mother Goose Stage, the outdoor concert supports Fairytale Town’s education programs and park improvements. Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. and the concert will begin at 8 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now at www.fairytaletown.org. Concert tickets are $30 when purchased in July and $35 in August, while supplies last.

Seating will be intimate and limited, similar to an outdoor music festival. Blankets are encouraged; low stadium-style chairs with legs 10-inches tall or less will be permitted. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Outside food or beverages, including ice chests or picnic baskets, will not be admitted. Complete concert rules and restrictions are listed at www.fairytaletown.org.

Greene has a reputation for putting on an energetic live show and has earned the respect of critics and musicians across the country. He has recorded seven albums of original work and recently released a book of lyrics. He has also been involved in many high-profile side projects and toured with well known musicians such as B.B. King, The Black Crowes, Willie Nelson, Huey Lewis and more. His music has been featured on many television shows including “Nurse Jackie” and “One Tree Hill.”

For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards is the Marketing Manager for Fairytale Town, a magical children's park in the Land Park neighborhood of Sacramento. Her favorite play set is the Crooked Mile.

“Sinbad and Aladdin: The Arabian Knights!” at Fairytale Town

2012-07-13T20:15:23Z

The Elly Award-winning Fairytale Town Troupers continue their fifth season with "Sinbad and Aladdin: The Arabian Knights!," an epic adventure filled with thrilling swordplay, monsters, mischief and magic. The show will be presented on Saturdays and Sundays, Jul. 14, 15, 21 and 22, at 12 and 1 p.m.

“Sinbad & Aladdin: The Arabian Knights!” tells the lost tale of the heroic Captain Sinbad and his quest to free the beautiful Princess Scheherazade from the evil Sultan Natazz and his monstrous minions. Sinbad is joined by another famous hero—Aladdin—and together they search for a magical lamp to aide them in their adventure.

"Sinbad and Aladdin: The Arabian Knights!" stars Elliott Herzer as Sinbad; Joanne Newens as Aladdin; Katherine Wolfenden as Princess Scheherazade; and Julia Benson as Mino-Clops.

Performances will be held on Fairytale Town’s outdoor Mother Goose Stage and are free with paid park admission. Weekend admission is $5 for adults and children ages 2 and older and free for children ages 1 and under.

The Fairytale Town Troupers is a unique theater arts program that teaches the essentials of live stage production in a practical rehearsal and performance format. Novices work side-by-side with seasoned veterans to gain invaluable hands-on experience in the art of producing live theater. The Troupers program is open to young actors ages 5 to 18 as well as college interns and adult volunteers ages 18 to 21.

Original productions for the Fairytale Town Troupers are written and directed by Fairytale Town’s resident theater arts educator, John E. Lee, an award-winning local playwright, director and actor.

The Troupers’ fifth season will continue with “A Princess of Stars Episode 3: Return of the Trilogy!” in August.

For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462.

Fairytale Town is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit children’s park and educational center in Land Park whose mission is to promote the imagination, creativity and education of children. Established in 1959, Fairytale Town is home to more than 25 three-dimensional play sets based on favorite fairytales and nursery rhymes, a family of 22 rare and miniature breed animals, three interactive learning gardens and two performing arts stages. From March through October, the park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. From November through February, the park is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards is the Marketing Manager for Fairytale Town, a magical children's park in the Land Park neighborhood of Sacramento. Her favorite play set is the Crooked Mile.

Very Special Arts Day at Fairytale Town

2012-07-12T23:44:43Z

Performances, visual art shows and hands-on “funshops” will be featured at Very Special Arts Day on Saturday, July 14, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hosted by Fairytale Town and sponsored by I Can Do That!, Very Special Arts Day will bring together children of all abilities—those with disabilities and those without—to interact through, create and enjoy the arts.

The highlight of Very Special Arts Day will be performances by Act On!, a children’s theatre camp presented by I Can Do That and Fairytale Town. Visual arts creations by Very Special Arts students will be on display. There will also be several hands-on workshops, called funshops, where children will be able to make flying saucers, rhumba shakers, pipe cleaner jewelry and spiral mobiles.

Over 300 children of all abilities are expected to interact at Very Special Arts Day. These events are sponsored by Active 20-30 Club 1 of Sacramento, the Rivercats Foundation and Sutterville Heights Optimists.

Very Special Arts Day is free with paid park admission. Weekend admission is $5 for adults and children ages 2 and older and free for children ages 1 and under. Admission to Very Special Arts Day is free for children with disabilities plus one adult. Activities take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Fairytale Town is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, weather permitting.

For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462.

Fairytale Town is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit children’s park and educational center in Land Park whose mission is to promote the imagination, creativity and education of children. Established in 1959, Fairytale Town is home to 25 three-dimensional play sets based on favorite fairytales and nursery rhymes, a family of 22 rare and miniature breed animals, three interactive learning gardens and two performing arts stages. From March through October, the park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. From November through February, the park is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting.

I Can Do That!/Very Special Arts showcases the talents and capabilities of children of all abilities. Professional artists work with young people to create high-quality artistic productions such as ceramics, musical shows, hip-hop dances, paintings, video productions and puppet shows. These performances and visual art shows are then presented to the Sacramento community at galleries, theatres, festivals, and special events. The program is supported through grants, special events and donations from businesses and corporations.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards is the Marketing Manager for Fairytale Town, a magical children's park in the Land Park neighborhood of Sacramento. Her favorite play set is the Crooked Mile.

Summer Concerts at Fairytale Town

2012-07-10T22:05:06Z

Sacramento favorites and up-and-coming musicians will rock Fairytale Town’s Mother Goose Stage this summer.

Mumbo Gumbo brings their signature danceable sound—a mixture spanning rock to soul, afropop to lush balladry and zydeco to country—to Fairytale Town for a live performance on Wednesday, Jul. 11. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and the concert starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person and go on sale in June. Members receive 2-for-1 admission, and children 12 and under are free. Blankets and chairs are welcome, food and drink will be available for purchase.

Jackie Greene returns to Fairytale Town for a fourth annual benefit concert on Saturday, Aug. 18. The outdoor concert supports Fairytale Town’s education programs and park improvements. Gates open at 6:30 p.m., and the concert starts at 8 p.m. Ticket prices are $30 if purchased in July and $35 in August. For concert rules and restrictions, please visit fairytaletown.org. This concert is sponsored in part by Otto Construction, Berryessa Gap Winery and Sudwerk Brewery.

Four generations of local female artists take to the Mother Goose Stage for “Voices: Where the Girls Are,” an exciting and unique evening concert on Wednesday, Sep. 5. Performers include 16-year-old up-and-comer Parie Wood, indie darling Autumn Sky, rock vocalist Larisa Bryski and jazz vocalist Valerie V. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and the concert starts at 6 p.m. Event tickets are $10 per person. Members receive 2-for-1 admission, and children 12 and under are free. Tickets go on sale in August. Blankets and chairs are welcome. Food and drink will be available for purchase.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462. Concerts are sponsored in part by Capital Public Radio.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards is the Marketing Manager for Fairytale Town, a magical children's park in the Land Park neighborhood of Sacramento. Her favorite play set is the Crooked Mile.

International Music & Dance Celebration on July 7

2012-07-03T21:09:27Z

Celebrate Sacramento’s rich cultural diversity with a day of international dance and music performances at Fairytale Town on Saturday, Jul. 7, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. International Celebration features nonstop performances by regional groups showcasing dances from around the world on the park’s outdoor Mother Goose Stage.

Performances include: African dance and drumming by Phoenix Drum and Dance Company; Aztec dance by Maquilli Tonatiuh; Chinese line dancing by Eastern Ways Martial Arts; traditional Indian dances by Bhaskars Arts Academy; Japanese folk dancing by Minyo Tanoshimi Kai; Mexican dancing by Folklorico Aztlan de Sacramento; Polynesian and Hawaiian dancing by Ka Pa Hula O Kalama; and Scottish highland dancing by Kyla’s School of Highland Dance.

“International Celebration is a fun outing for the whole family as well as a great opportunity for children and parents to learn about different cultures through dance and art,” said Kathy Fleming, executive director at Fairytale Town.

Children of all ages will also enjoy a variety of international art activities, which can be taken home as mementos. International Celebration is free with paid park admission. Weekend admission is $5 for adults and children ages 2 and older and free for children ages 1 and under. Activities take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Fairytale Town is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, weather permitting.

This program is sponsored in part by Style Magazine. For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards is the Marketing Manager for Fairytale Town, a magical children's park in the Land Park neighborhood of Sacramento. Her favorite play set is the Crooked Mile.

Fairytale Town Presents All-Night Reading of Homer’s “The Odyssey”

2012-06-06T23:49:59Z

From dusk till dawn, 200 individuals—including children, veterans, poets and teachers—will take to Fairytale Town’s outdoor Mother Goose Stage to present an all-night, nonstop reading of Homer’s great epic, “The Odyssey.” The park will open at 6:30 p.m., and the reading will start at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jun. 22 and conclude around 7 a.m. on Saturday, Jun. 23. Participants will read aloud pre-assigned passages drawn from a translation by Robert Fagles.

This reading is presented in partnership with the Readers of Homer, an organization-in-residence at Bard College in New York. The Readers of Homer is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit literary event company that produces all-day or all-night audience-participation readings of “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey” in the United States and internationally.

“The Odyssey” follows the famous hero, Odysseus, and his 10-year struggle to reach home following the end of the Trojan War. During his journey he encounters cultures exotic, threatening and unfamiliar, and he barely triumphs over them through his strategic intelligence.

“‘The Odyssey’ inexorably defines the prototypical journey and adventure of struggle and of homecoming to ourselves and where we came from,” said Kathryn Hohlwein, founder and president of the Readers of Homer and professor emerita of English from Sacramento State University, where she long taught a graduate seminar called “The Homeric Imagination.” “Generations have gained courage from ‘The Odyssey.’ Young boys with absent fathers struggling to come-of-age will find Telemachus’ story compelling. Returning veterans in particular will recognize the hardships and trials of homecoming.”

The reading is free for veterans, active military, students with valid ID and children ages 12 and under. Advance tickets are $20 for adults. Day-of tickets are $25 for adults. Tickets will be available for purchase at www.fairytaletown.org and the box office beginning May 15. Ticket holders can sign up to read by contacting the Readers of Homer at (916) 455-4271 and khohlwein@gmail.com. Participants and audience members are welcome to bring food and beverages, lawn chairs and/or tents.

For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards is the Marketing Manager for Fairytale Town, a magical children's park in the Land Park neighborhood of Sacramento. Her favorite play set is the Crooked Mile.

Fairytale Town Presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream & Crystal Ice Cream Fantasy on June 9

2012-05-25T20:35:57Z

A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Crystal Ice Cream Fantasy, Fairytale Town’s popular fairy-themed fundraiser and ice cream social, will return on Saturday, June 9, from 6 to 10 p.m. Inspired by Shakespeare’s famous play, this enchanting evening features nonstop entertainment for the whole family, including costumed performers, fanciful arts and crafts activities, live music, food and all the Crystal Ice Cream one can eat.

Celtic-rock band Tempest will perform throughout the evening. Since forming in 1988, the band has won rave reviews for their musical hybrid of high-energy folk rock with Irish reels, Scottish ballads, Norwegian influences and other world music elements. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the act has released 15 critically acclaimed albums and played more than 2,000 gigs.

Multiple arts and crafts activities will be stationed throughout the park, and old-time vendors will be on hand to offer their traditional wares. Guests can also sample different Crystal Ice Cream flavors throughout the evening. Costumes for the entire family are strongly encouraged.

John Frisch, regional managing director at Cornish and Carey, and Monica Woods, News 10’s chief meteorologist, will serve as the evening’s hosts and honorary king and queen. Taking on the roles of Oberon and Titania, the king and queen of the fairies in Shakespeare’s play, Frisch and Woods will kick off the event and greet guests. Mix 96’s Jennifer Wood will emcee the event.

“The Shakespeare-inspired festivities combined with Fairytale Town’s playful environment makes A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Crystal Ice Cream Fantasy an event that adults and children will enjoy,” said Marci Reynolds, event chair and Fairytale Town board member. “The event brings all ages together in support of the park and its programs and improvements.”

Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 2-12 in advance. Day-of tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 2-12. Children ages 1 and under are free. Tickets will be available for purchase at www.fairytaletown.org.

Proceeds from A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Crystal Ice Cream Fantasy support Fairytale Town’s programs and park improvements.

The title sponsor of the event is Crystal Ice Cream, produced by Foster Farms Dairy. Additional sponsors include Mix 96 Radio, Downey Brand LLP, Sacramento Credit Union, Murphy Austin Adams Schoenfeld LLP, the Lerseth Family, KVIE Television, Jordan Blair, Sacramento Coca Cola, Scott Naake Paper Products, Securitas Security Services, the Gartner Family, Otto Construction, Wendy Holmquist and Jeff Chenu, and Gilbert Associates, Inc.

For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards is the Marketing Manager for Fairytale Town, a magical children's park in the Land Park neighborhood of Sacramento. Her favorite play set is the Crooked Mile.

Fairytale Town Showcases Animals & Agriculture on May 19

2012-05-15T17:10:18Z

Farmer Brown will showcase Fairytale Town's friendly barnyard animals at the fifth annual Farms, Friends and Fairytales program on Saturday, May 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This celebration of all-things agriculture features live sheep shearing, wool spinning, a mini-farmer’s market, hands-on art activities and more fun for the whole family.

The highlight of the event will be a live old-fashioned sheep shearing. Fairytale Town's twin Babydoll sheep, Reading and Writing, will be sheared, and their wool will then be spun into yarn on a spinning wheel. Children and parents will also learn more about the daily lives of some of Fairytale Town’s rare and miniature animals.

Multiple agriculture-themed hands-on art activities will be stationed throughout the park. Children will also learn how to make their own ice cream. Plus, local area farms and organizations will be on hand to share their experience bringing agricultural products to market.

“Most urban children do not have the chance to see live farm animals,” said Kathy Fleming, Fairytale Town’s executive director. “Fairytale Town is a unique environment where children can learn how animals contribute to society as well as represent the fairytales children know so well.”

This program is made possible in part by generous sponsorships from Whole Foods Market and Farm Fresh to You. For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards is the Marketing Manager for Fairytale Town, a magical children's park in the Land Park neighborhood of Sacramento. Her favorite play set is the Crooked Mile.

Eight Weeks of Puppet Mania Begins at Fairytale Town

2012-05-02T17:42:33Z

Fairytale Town's popular annual Puppet Festival will kick off its 16th season on May 3. During the eight-week series, four original puppet shows will be presented by Art Grueneberger's award-winning Puppet Art Theater Company.

This year's lineup features artful and hilarious adaptations of four classic fairytales: "Little Red Riding Hood" from May 3 - 13; "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" from May 17 - 27; "Hansel & Gretel" from May 31 - June 10; and the premiere of "Cinderella" from June 14 - 30.

"The Puppet Festival is an experience the whole family will enjoy, and it is a great opportunity to introduce live theater to children," said Kathy Fleming, executive director of Fairytale Town.

Performances are offered Thursdays through Sundays. Weekday show times are: 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Weekend show times are: 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. All performances take place in the indoor Children's Theater at Fairytale Town.

Tickets are $2 for nonmembers in addition to park admission, and $1 for members. Tickets can be purchased at the Fairytale Town box office or at the entrance to the Children's Theater 15 minutes prior to show time.

For more information, visit fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462. The Puppet Festival is made possible in part by ScholarShare College Savings Plan.

About the Shows

"Little Red Riding Hood"
May 3 - 13
Little Red and her dog Fifi are taking pepperoni pizza to Grandma's when they run into the wolf. Wolf loves pizza and plots to get Red's. Join Red, Fifi and Grandma as they try to keep the wolf from eating them and their pepperoni pizza.

"The Three Billy Goats Gruff"
May 17 - 27
This production starts with the classic race of "The Tortoise and the Hare." The conclusion of the race takes place on the Troll Bridge, waking up the Grumpy Old Troll. Three Billy Goats must find a way to outwit the Troll and get across the bridge so they can enjoy the field of green grass. Little Billy, his older sister Brittany, and their father Bruno all try to trip-trap their way across the bridge. Will they make it?

"Hansel & Gretel"
May 31 - June 10
Gretel overhears her stepmother convince her father to lead she and her brother into the forest and leave them there for good. Hansel's plan to leave a trail of bread crumbs to find their way home fails miserably, and he and Gretel are left in the forest to fend for themselves. It is there that they discover a house made of Gingerbread. Little did they know the house belongs to a Wicked Old Witch. Will Hansel and Gretel escape the Witch and find their way home?

"Cinderella"
June 14 - 30
The classic "Cinderella" story is retold in an artful and hilarious manner in this new production premiering at the Puppet Festival. Cinderella has always wanted to go dancing at a fancy Ball. Despite the best efforts of two horrible step sisters, a wacky Fairy Godmother helps Cinderella get to the ball where she meets a wonderful prince.

Puppet Art Theater Company was founded in 1994 by Art Grueneberger, who serves as artistic director. Grueneberger has puppeteered for many film, television and video projects. His puppet productions have been seen by thousands of audiences across the United States. His shows have toured internationally and also include adult productions seen in local venues such as Zeum Theater in San Francisco and the Mondavi Center at UC Davis. For more information about Art Grueneberger and Puppet Art Theater, please visit puppetarts.com.

Fairytale Town is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit children's park and educational center in Land Park whose mission is to promote the imagination, creativity and education of children. Established in 1959, Fairytale Town is home to 25 three-dimensional play sets based on favorite fairytales and nursery rhymes, a family of 22 rare and miniature breed animals, three interactive learning gardens and two performing arts stages. From March through October, the park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. From November through February, the park is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting. For more information, visit fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards is the Marketing Manager for Fairytale Town, a magical children's park in the Land Park neighborhood of Sacramento. Her favorite play set is the Crooked Mile.

Fairytale Town Hosts Spring Eggstravaganza April 7 & 8

2012-03-27T22:01:39Z

Hop down the bunny trail with Peter Cottontail and celebrate spring with family and friends at Fairytale Town's annual Spring Eggstravaganza. The event is set for Saturday and Sunday, Apr. 7 and 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and features egg hunts, puppet shows, hands-on art activities and photo opportunities with the big bunny himself.

Egg hunts will be held promptly at 12, 1 and 2 p.m. each day, and guests are encouraged to arrive early and bring a basket for collecting eggs. The egg hunts are separated by age group: 3 and under, 4 to 6 and 7 to 12. Each child will return their eggs to Mr. McGregor's Garden to receive a small prize, no matter how few or how many eggs they find.

Following the egg hunts, guests are invited to the Children's Theater to see the puppet show, “Bunny Boot Camp,” performed by Puppet Art Theater Company. This zany comedy includes heroic characters, devious villains and madcap chase scenes. Show times are at 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m., and Puppet Art Theater tickets are $1 for Fairytale Town members and $2 for nonmembers.

Children of all ages will enjoy a variety of spring art activities, which can be taken home as souvenirs. Activities include making baskets, bunny ears and sprouting garden friends. And Peter Cottontail will be hanging out on Mother Goose Stage to take photos with families that they can purchase for a small fee and take home as a memento of the day.

Spring Eggstravaganza is free with paid park admission. Weekend admission is $5 for adults and children ages 2 and older and free for children ages 1 and under. Activities take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Fairytale Town is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, weather permitting.

For more information, visit www.fairytaletown.org or call (916) 808-7462.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards is the Marketing Manager for Fairytale Town, a magical children's park in the Land Park neighborhood of Sacramento. Her favorite play set is the Crooked Mile.

Crocker Presents Lecture on Saint Sebastian & LGBT Culture on January 26

2012-01-20T00:21:20Z

The Crocker Art Museum will welcome William U. Eiland, director of the Georgia Museum of Art, for a lecture on the imagery of Saint Sebastian and its cultural meanings for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender viewers on Thursday, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m. The lecture will be held in conjunction with the exhibition “Florence and the Baroque: Paintings from the Haukohl Family Collection,” an exhibition of paintings and sculptures from the largest privately-held collection of the period in the United States. Tickets are $6 for Museum members and $12 for nonmembers.

Eiland’s lecture, titled “Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune: Queering Saint Sebastian,” will focus on two paintings in the exhibition, differing images of Saint Sebastian by Felice Ficherelli and Onorio Marinari. Eiland will discuss the facts and legend surrounding Sebastian's life and how the Roman soldier eventually became a revered saint whose agony has been appropriated and even eroticized.

The recipient of the James Short Award from the Southeastern Museums Conference and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries, Eiland is a trustee of the International Council of Museums and has held various posts with the American Association of Museums and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Eiland lecture is being supported by Sir Mark Fehrs Haukohl under whose auspices the exhibition has been generously lent to the Crocker Art Museum. Haukohl is a co-founder of the Medici Archive Project, which is a charitable foundation in Florence, Italy cataloging and researching over 300 years of original documents surrounding the Medici family in Europe. He is also President of The Vero Group of Houston, Texas.

Regarding the topic of St. Sebastian, Sir Mark commented, “The history and study of St. Sebastian has been of serious interest, research and an ongoing scholarly pursuit of mine for over 30 years. The evolution of St. Sebastian in today's popular culture—as evidenced in works by Damien Hirst, Pierre and Gilles, and many others—is an important redrawing of how the Saint's images come forward and are perceived as being relevant to numerous audiences, not just the ecclesiastical world."

Tickets for the lecture are available for purchase at crockerartmuseum.org, the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling (916) 808-1182. Open Art is part of the program series Thursdays ‘til 9.

The Crocker Art Museum was one of the first art museums in the U.S. and is now one of the leading art museums in California. Established in 1885, the Museum features one of the country’s finest collections of Californian art, exceptional holdings of master drawings, a comprehensive collection of international ceramics, as well as European, Asian, African, and Oceanic art. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday–Sunday; 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Thursdays. For more information, call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards has been a fan of the Crocker Art Museum since her very first visit in fourth grade, and she now serves as the Crocker's Marketing Coordinator.

Classic “Sunset Boulevard” to Screen at the Crocker on January 5

2012-01-04T19:25:10Z

The Crocker Art Museum will screen the Academy-Award-winning classic “Sunset Boulevard” on Thursday, Jan. 5, at 6:30 p.m. One of the greatest movies about Hollywood ever made, this film is at once film noir, dark comedy, high melodrama, and scathing satire. Tickets are $5 for Museum members and $10 for nonmembers, not including Museum admission.

One of the most successful films of its era, “Time” described it as a story of "Hollywood at its worst told by Hollywood at its best." Gloria Swanson stars as a faded silent screen goddess who dreams of a box-office comeback. William Holden is Joe Gillis, a cynical small-time writer who becomes entangled in her deluded world.

Film scholar Kristen Anderson Wagner will introduce the film and provide a sneak peek of Film Frame features to come in 2012.

Director Billy Wilder’s “Sunset Boulevard,” an ideal example of the Baroque aesthetic on the big screen, is presented in conjunction with the exhibition “Florence and the Baroque: Paintings from the Haukohl Family Collection.” The exhibition features Italian painting and sculpture from the 16th through 18th centuries to Northern California. On view at the Crocker through February 12, 2012, this exhibition is drawn from the largest private American collection of Florentine Baroque painting and features works by key artists such as Cesare Dandini, Jacopo da Empoli, and Francesco Furini.

This screening is part of the Museum’s monthly film series, Film Frame, which occurs every first Thursday evening of the month. Presented in collaboration with local festivals and organizations, films relate to the Crocker’s exhibitions and collections as well as relevant issues in film, art, and society. Screenings are accompanied by commentary from film makers, enthusiasts, scholars, artists, and local arts partners. Watch trailers and learn more about upcoming films at crockerartmuseum.org.

The Crocker Art Museum was the first art museum in the Western U.S. and is now one of the leading art museums in California. Established in 1885, the Museum features one of the country’s finest collections of Californian art, exceptional holdings of master drawings, a comprehensive collection of international ceramics, as well as European, Asian, African, and Oceanic art. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday–Sunday; 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Thursdays. Every Third Sunday of the month is “Pay What You Wish Sunday.” For more information, call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards has been a fan of the Crocker Art Museum since her very first visit in fourth grade, and she now serves as the Crocker's Marketing Coordinator.

Autumn Sky to Perform at the Crocker on December 15

2011-12-13T00:58:28Z

The Crocker Art Museum will host local indie darling Autumn Sky for a night of original folk and pop on Thursday, Dec. 15. Sky is an award-winning, multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter from Sacramento. She will play songs from past releases and her soon-to-launch sophomore album, "The Hallelujah Chorus.” The concert will take place in the Museum’s Setzer Foundation Auditorium at 7 p.m.

At 23 years old, Sky has been playing for Sacramento crowds for over six years and has garnered much local acclaim for her lively and engaging shows. Her unique style mixes pitch-perfect and deeply emotive vocals with indie and pop sensibilities. She released “Diminutive, Petite EP” in 2007, followed by her debut album “All Which Isn't Singing” in 2008. Sky has performed at the California State Fair, Downtown Sacramento’s Concert in the Park series, and the Crest Theatre. Most recently, she received the Outstanding Singer-Songwriter and Readers’ Choice Artist of the Year awards at the 2010 and 2011 Sammie Block Party and Music Awards.

Tickets are $6 for Museum members and $12 for nonmembers. Tickets can be purchased at crockerartmuseum.org, the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling (916) 808-1182.

The Crocker Cafe will offer a themed drink special that evening in honor of the concert. The “Sky Crock-tail,” a Skyy Vodka dirty martini, will be available for $7 from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

Playlist is part of the Museum’s Thursdays ‘til 9 program series. The Crocker is open every Thursday until 9 p.m. for film screenings, social gatherings, concerts, and art happenings presented in collaboration with regional art groups. For more information, call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards has been a fan of the Crocker Art Museum since her very first visit in fourth grade, and she now serves as the Crocker's Marketing Coordinator.

Crocker Explores the Artful Side of Water on December 8

2011-12-07T01:26:18Z

The Crocker Art Museum will present a multi-media exploration of water on Thursday, Dec 8, from 5 to 9 p.m. Inspired by the community exhibition “Liquid Assets,” Art Mix: Flow in Flux will feature a mini-film festival curated by the Sundance Film Festival's associate programmer Mike Plante, special water-based tours led by artists Enid Baxter Blader, Jenny Stark, and Nicole Antebi, a performance by the Spillit Quikkers, a local old-time string band, and interactive water-themed art with iPads.

“Liquid Assets” is a unique installation exploring one of California’s most vital resources. Inspired by art from the Crocker's permanent collection, this exhibit features 21 works laid out as a spatial dictionary offering perspectives on how water defines life in the region. The community exhibit will be on view through January 12, 2012, and is presented in collaboration with the Water, CA project.

Art Mix is part of the Museum’s Thursdays ‘til 9 program series. The Crocker is open every Thursday until 9 p.m. for film screenings, social gatherings, concerts, and art happenings presented in collaboration with regional art groups. Tickets are available for purchase at crockerartmuseum.org, the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling (916) 808-1182.

The Crocker Art Museum was the first art museum in the Western U.S. and is now one of the leading art museums in California. Established in 1885, the Museum features one of the country’s finest collections of Californian art, exceptional holdings of master drawings, a comprehensive collection of international ceramics, as well as European, Asian, African, and Oceanic art. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday–Sunday; 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Thursdays. Every Third Sunday of the month is “Pay What You Wish Sunday” sponsored by Bank of America. For more information, call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards has been a fan of the Crocker Art Museum since her very first visit in fourth grade, and she now serves as the Crocker's Marketing Coordinator.

Crocker Art Museum Presents Evening of Inspiring Artistic Cinema with Kurosawa’s “Dreams”

2011-11-29T23:43:35Z

The Crocker Art Museum will present “Dreams,” the visually stunning film from Academy Award-winning director Akira Kurosawa, on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets include Museum admission and are $6 for museum members and $12 for nonmembers.

Comprised of eight separate vignettes inspired from actual dreams of the world-renowned filmmaker, “Dreams” is a collection of fantastic and evocative stories, separate in narrative, but intertwined with themes of nature and spirituality, life and death, and peace and war.

Born in early-20th-century Japan, Kurosawa made his international directorial debut in 1950 and went on to receive numerous accolades throughout Asia and the U.S., including an Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1990. Kurosawa has worked in a wide range of genres and influenced countless filmmakers and artists, including director Oliver Stone, who calls the film “haunting, symbolic, and drenched with whimsy and foreknowledge of death.”

Don Roth, executive director of the Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, UC Davis, will introduce the film and lead a post-screening Q & A session. The film screening is presented in collaboration with the Mondavi Center, which will feature a screening of Oliver Stone's classic “Platoon” on January 9 and a speaking engagement with Oliver Stone on February 3 More information on these related events is available at mondaviarts.org.

Film Frame is part of the Museum’s Thursdays ‘til 9 program series. The Crocker is open every Thursday until 9 p.m. for film screenings, social gatherings, concerts, and art happenings presented in collaboration with regional art groups. Tickets can be purchased at crockerartmuseum.org, the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling (916) 808-1182.

The Crocker Art Museum was the first art museum in the Western U.S. and remains one of the leading art museums in California. Established in 1885, the Museum features one of the country’s finest collections of Californian art, exceptional holdings of master drawings, a comprehensive collection of international ceramics, as well as European, Asian, African, and Oceanic art. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday–Sunday; 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Thursdays. Every Third Sunday of the month is “Pay What You Wish Sunday” sponsored by Bank of America. For more information, call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards has been a fan of the Crocker Art Museum since her very first visit in fourth grade, and she now serves as the Crocker's Marketing Coordinator.

Annual Holiday Art & Craft Festival November 25-27

2011-11-21T22:32:51Z

Nearly 100 regional artists and craftspeople will offer their unique creations during this year’s annual Holiday Art & Craft Festival. Presented by the Crocker Art Museum and the Creative Arts League of Sacramento, the festival is held at the Scottish Rite Center, located across from the main entrance of California State University, Sacramento, at 6151 H Street.

This year’s offerings will include jewelry, ceramics, paintings, gourmet food, holiday items and more. Impress your friends and family with local handmade gifts while supporting local artisans and the Crocker’s exhibitions and education programs.

Attendees can also enjoy delicious treats by Ambrosia Catering. For those who want to capture the holiday spirit, there will be a Victorian Santa Claus available for a vintage photo opportunity.

The three-day festival begins November 25, the day following Thanksgiving. Festival hours are 12 to 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 27. Admission is free for Museum members, $6 nonmembers, and $3 for students and seniors. Parking is free of charge.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards has been a fan of the Crocker Art Museum since her very first visit in fourth grade, and she now serves as the Crocker's Marketing Coordinator.

Crocker Art Museum Presents Art Mix: Funk Lab on November 10

2011-11-07T19:57:57Z

The fantastical world of Clayton Bailey will transform the Crocker Art Museum for Art Mix: Funk Lab on Thursday, November 10, from 5 to 9 p.m. Inspired by Bailey’s robot sculptures and pop ray guns fashioned from discarded aluminum, the evening features a pop ray gun shooting range, dancing to sci-fi film soundtracks, a series of live-action trailers by Scavenger Theatre, and robotic inventions from the University of California, Davis, including iMobot.

“Clayton Bailey’s World of Wonders,” the first career-spanning retrospective featuring the work of the ceramist, sculptor, and self-proclaimed “mad scientist,” is currently on view at the Museum through January 15, 2012.

Tickets for Funk Lab are free to Museum members and free with admission for nonmembers. Tickets are available for purchase at crockerartmuseum.org, the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling (916) 808-1182. Funk Lab is co-sponsored by UC Davis’ K-14 Outreach Center for Computing and STEM Education.

The Crocker Art Museum was one of the first art museums in the U.S. and is now one of the leading art institutions in California. Established in 1885, the Museum features one of the country’s finest collections of Californian art, exceptional holdings of master drawings, a comprehensive collection of international ceramics, as well as European, Asian, African, and Oceanic art. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday–Sunday; 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Thursdays. Every Third Sunday of the month is “Pay What You Wish Sunday” sponsored by Bank of America. For more information, call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards has been a fan of the Crocker Art Museum since her very first visit in fourth grade, and she now serves as the Crocker's Marketing Coordinator.

Crocker Art Museum Presents a Mashup of Horror Short Films this Thursday

2011-10-25T21:57:28Z

The Crocker Art Museum will embrace the eerie and capture the creepy with a specially curated night of retro horror short films inspired by the humorous and sometimes grotesque creations in “Clayton Bailey’s World of Wonders.” Presented in collaboration with the Sacramento Horror Film Festival, Open Art: Monster Mashup will take place on Thursday, October 27, at 7 p.m.

Horror fans will delight in unique shorts, such as “Night of the Hell Hampster,” “The Sleuth Incident,” “Cannibal Flesh Riot,” “Chainsaw Maid” and more. Festival founder and director Tim Meunier will introduce the films and lead a post-screening Q & A session.

“Clayton Bailey’s World of Wonders” is the first career-spanning retrospective featuring the work of the ceramicist, sculptor, and self-proclaimed “mad scientist.” Featuring 180 works and ephemera spanning Bailey's 50-year career, the exhibit is on view through January 15, 2012.

Tickets are $6 for Museum members and $12 for nonmembers. Tickets are available for purchase at crockerartmuseum.org, the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling (916) 808-1182.

Open Art is part of the Museum’s Thursdays ‘til 9 program series, sponsored by Bank of America. The Crocker is open every Thursday until 9 p.m. for film screenings, social gatherings, concerts, and art happenings presented in collaboration with regional art groups.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards has been a fan of the Crocker Art Museum since her very first visit in fourth grade, and she now serves as the Crocker's Marketing Coordinator.

Crocker Art Museum Hosts Esteemed Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet

2011-10-19T20:30:53Z

The Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet will bring their award-winning sound to the Crocker Art Museum on Thursday, Oct. 20. The Quintet will perform select works inspired by the exhibition “Gardens and Grandeur: Porcelains and Paintings by Franz A. Bischoff,” on view through October 23. The concert will take place in the Museum’s Setzer Foundation Auditorium at 7 p.m.

The Quintet—comprised of Alec Watson, piano; Rane Roatta, tenor sax; Malachi Whitson, drums; Tree Palmedo, trumpet; and Bill Vonderhaar, bass—is the winner of numerous DownBeat awards, including the 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011 awards for best collegiate jazz group in the country. The group has performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival, Playboy Jazz Festival, Brubeck Festival, Detroit International Jazz Festival, and at jazz clubs such as Yoshi’s in Oakland, Herb Alpert’s club Vibrato in Los Angeles, and the Jamboree Jazz Club in Barcelona, Spain.

The Brubeck Institute was established by the University of the Pacific in 2000. Named in honor of the acclaimed American jazz pianist and University of the Pacific alumnus, the Institute’s mission is to promote creativity, education, and dedication to music, as well as advance important social issues. The members of the Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet are in the Institute's Fellowship Program for recent high school graduates.

Tickets are $6 for Museum members and $12 for nonmembers. Tickets can be purchased at crockerartmuseum.org, the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling (916) 808-1182.

Playlist is part of the Museum’s Thursdays ‘til 9 program series, sponsored by Bank of America. The Crocker is open every Thursday until 9 p.m. for film screenings, social gatherings, concerts, and art happenings presented in collaboration with regional art groups.

For more information, call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

The Crocker Art Museum was one of the first art museums in the U.S. and is now one of the leading art institutions in California. Established in 1885, the Museum features one of the country’s finest collections of Californian art, exceptional holdings of master drawings, a comprehensive collection of international ceramics, as well as European, Asian, African, and Oceanic art. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Tuesday–Wednesday; 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Thursdays; 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Friday–Sunday. Every Third Sunday of the month is “Pay What You Wish Sunday” sponsored by Bank of America.

Crocker Art Museum Partners with SIGLFF to Screen Audience-Favorite Shorts on October 6

2011-10-03T19:13:19Z

The Crocker Art Museum and the Sacramento International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival will co-present a screening of audience-favorite short films from past festivals at the Museum on Thursday, Oct. 6. The program will start at 7 p.m. and includes the following films:

“Little Black Boot” (2003, USA, 17 min) by director Colette Burson – A modern Cinderella tale in which a high school girl dresses up as a boy for the prom and finds mutual attraction with the prom queen.
“Ryan's Life” (2004, USA, 24 min) by director Nick Wauters – Complications arise for high school student Ryan as he begins to wonder if he might be gay.
“Gódir Gestir,” or “Family Reunion,” (2006, Iceland, English subtitles) by director Isold Uggadottir – A modern-day coming out story about a young Icelandic woman living two lives.
“Groucho” (2006, Spain, English subtitles) by directors Angel Almazan and Medardo Amor – David, a sixteen year-old teenager, approaches his neighbor in the elevator, pretending to want to help him, while it is he who is looking for help, advice, and excitement.
“Babysitting Andy” (2007, Canada, 11 min) by director Pat Mills – What do you do if you're nine and nobody will tell you what fellatio means?
“Six” by director Amy Neil – A diverse collection of LGBTQ individuals telling their stories in six words.

Before the screening, there will be spotlight gallery talks on works by LGBTQ artists.

The program is $6 Museum members and $12 nonmembers. Tickets are available for purchase at crockerartmuseum.org, the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling (916) 808-1182.

Film Frame is part of the Museum’s Thursdays ‘til 9 program series, sponsored by Bank of America. The Crocker is open every Thursday until 9 p.m. for film screenings, social gatherings, concerts, and art happenings presented in collaboration with regional art groups.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards has been a fan of the Crocker Art Museum since her very first visit in fourth grade, and she now serves as the Crocker's Marketing Coordinator.

Crocker Hosts Discussion on Licensing in the Digital Age on September 22

2011-09-19T18:12:05Z

The Crocker Art Museum and California Lawyers for the Arts will present “Licensing in the Digital Age” on Thursday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. Robert G. Pimm, chief learning officer and director of legal services at California Lawyers for the Arts, will discuss digital licensing and how intellectual property rights can be sold, retained, and optioned.

A publishing industry specialist, Pimm has taught educational workshops for creative artists throughout California. He is the author of numerous books, chapters, and articles regarding the legal and business aspects of the creative arts, including articles regarding emerging technologies and digital industries. Pimm has earned degrees from Columbia University, The London School of Economics and Political Science, Cambridge University, and the University of San Francisco School of Law.

Seating is limited and advance tickets are encouraged. Tickets are $10 Museum members, $15 nonmembers in advance, $20 nonmembers at the door, and $10 students at the door. Tickets can be purchased at crockerartmuseum.org, the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling (916) 808-1182.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards has been a fan of the Crocker Art Museum since her very first visit in fourth grade, and she now serves as the Crocker's Marketing Coordinator.

Crocker Art Museum Hosts French Impressionist-Style Garden Party on September 8

2011-09-06T22:12:00Z

The Crocker Art Museum will present a French Impressionist-style Garden Party on Thursday, Sept. 8, from 5 to 9 p.m. Inspired by the exhibition “Landscapes from the Age of Impressionism,” the evening will feature Impressionist music, art activities, and more in the Museum’s picturesque E. Kendell Davis Courtyard.

Guests can try their hand at “pétanque,” an outdoor game similar to horseshoes, or drawing “plein-air” style on studio easels. Artist Sarma Karsiere will lead drawing sessions and demonstrate Impressionist pastel techniques.

Members of the Alliance Française de Sacramento, who are co-presenting the Garden Party, will also showcase poetry from the Impressionist era as well as original compositions during readings in the Courtyard and in the exhibition galleries.

The Madroñia Trio, comprised of principal musicians from the Sacramento Philharmonic, will perform vivid selections by great Impressionist musicians, including French composers Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy. The trio includes Mathew Krejci, flute; Emily Onderdonk, viola; and Anna Maria Mendieta, harp.

“Landscapes from the Age of Impressionism,” on view through September 18, features 40 Impressionist works on loan from the Brooklyn Museum, including paintings by Gustave Courbet, Claude Monet, Childe Hassam, and John Singer Sargent.

Art Mix is part of the Museum’s Thursdays ‘til 9 program series, sponsored by Bank of America. The Crocker is open every Thursday until 9 p.m. for film screenings, social gatherings, concerts, and art happenings presented in collaboration with regional art groups. Tickets are available for purchase at crockerartmuseum.org, the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling (916) 808-1182.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards has been a fan of the Crocker Art Museum since her very first visit in fourth grade, and she now serves as the Crocker's Marketing Coordinator.

Crocker Art Museum Hosts Hip Hop Extravaganza on September 1

2011-08-30T18:43:34Z

The Crocker Art Museum will host a screening of “Inventos: Hip Hop Cubano” on Thursday, Sept. 1, at 7 p.m. This documentary provides insight into the realities and politics of contemporary Cuba by following some of the pioneers of Cuban hip hop to their homes, the stage, and as they travel abroad for the first time. From 5:30-6:30 p.m., one of the film’s subjects, DJ Leydis, will perform live in Friedman Court. Tickets are $6 for Museum members and $12 for nonmembers.

Presented in collaboration with Sol Collective, the film will be introduced by director Eli Jacobs-Fantauzzi, a graduate of Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, and will be followed by a Q & A.

The screening is part of the Museum’s Thursdays ‘til 9 program series, sponsored by Bank of America. The Crocker is open every Thursday until 9 p.m. for film screenings, social gatherings, concerts, and art happenings presented in collaboration with regional art groups.

Tickets are available for purchase at crockerartmuseum.org, the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling (916) 808-1182.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards has been a fan of the Crocker Art Museum since her very first visit in fourth grade, and she now serves as the Crocker's Marketing Coordinator.

Crocker hosts screening of “Sickert vs. Sargent” documentary on August 25

2011-08-22T19:18:52Z

The Crocker Art Museum will host a screening of “Sickert vs. Sargent: Britain’s Masters of Modern Art,” on Thursday, Aug. 25, at 6 p.m. A documentary profiling Walter Sickert and John Singer Sargent, this film details the fierce competition that raged between the artists and the legendary work that was created as a result of the rivalry. The film is free with Museum admission.

“Sickert vs. Sargent” was written and directed by renowned British art critic Waldemar Januszczak. The film takes viewers on a journey through the life and art of two of the most influential artists in Britain, highlighting inspirational locations, and featuring their working studios. “Sickert vs. Sargent” also features commentary by artists Frank Auerbach, Leon Kossoff, Paula Rego, and Lucien Freud.

Tickets are available for purchase at crockerartmuseum.org, the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling (916) 808-1182.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards has been a fan of the Crocker Art Museum since her very first visit in fourth grade, and she now serves as the Crocker's Marketing Coordinator.

“One Book” Project Comes to the Crocker Art Museum

2011-08-18T17:29:58Z

Since 1998 “One Book” projects have connected people through literature by encouraging an entire community to read one book and share the experience through public readings and discussions. The Crocker Art Museum is expanding the idea by adding art to the mix. The Museum has selected “Strapless: John Singer Sargent and the Fall of Madame X” by Deborah Davis as the focal point of the Museum’s “One Book/Many Perspectives” project taking place this summer in conjunction with the Museum’s exhibition series “The Summer of Impressionism.”

“Strapless” is the story behind John Singer Sargent’s infamous portrait of “Madame X,” in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Works by Sargent are currently featured at the Crocker in the exhibition “Landscapes from the Age of Impressionism.“

The “One Book/Many Perspectives” program will include a salon-style book discussion on September 1 and will finish with a special lecture and book signing with the author on September 24. For those interested in learning more about Sargent, the art of portraiture, and the influence of art on literature, the Museum will host gallery tours, studio art and writing workshops, and a screening of the documentary “Sickert vs. Sargent.”

Deborah Davis is also the author of “Party of the Century: The Fabulous Story of Truman Capote and his Black and White Ball;” “The Secret Lives of Frames: One Hundred Years of Art and Artistry;” and, “Gilded: How Newport Became America’s Richest Resort.”

The “One Book” series is presented in collaboration with the California Lecture Series and the Sacramento Public Library. Copies of the book are available for purchase in the Crocker’s Museum Store.

The Crocker Art Museum was one of the first art museums in the U.S. and is now one of the leading art institutions in California. Established in 1885, the Museum features one of the country’s finest collections of Californian art, exceptional holdings of master drawings, a comprehensive collection of international ceramics, as well as European, Asian, African, and Oceanic art. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Tuesday–Wednesday; 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Thursdays; 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Friday–Sunday. Every Third Sunday of the month is “Pay What You Wish Sunday” sponsored by Bank of America. For more information, call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards has been a fan of the Crocker Art Museum since her very first visit in fourth grade, and she now serves as the Crocker's Marketing Coordinator.

Crocker Hosts Outdoor Screening of “The Wizard of Oz” on August 4

2011-08-03T21:19:05Z

The Crocker Art Museum will host an outdoor screening of “The Wizard of Oz” on Thursday, Aug. 4, starting at 8 p.m. The film is $6 for Museum members and $12 for nonmembers and includes admission to the Museum. The screening will take place in the Museum’s E. Kendell Davis Courtyard, and visitors are welcome to bring lawn chairs.

Filmed in Technicolor, a process known for high levels of saturated color, “The Wizard of Oz” brilliantly captured the technical and imaginative qualities of color in film in the 20th century.

Tickets for the film are available for purchase at crockerartmuseum.org, the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling (916) 808-1182. The screening is presented in part by Creative Projection Services.

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards has been a fan of the Crocker Art Museum since her very first visit in fourth grade, and she now serves as the Crocker's Marketing Coordinator.

Kathleen Richards on "New on the Crocker's Block"

2011-07-27T21:48:47Z

Hi DKS, thanks for asking! The baseball player sculptures by Lisa Reinertson were taken down a few years ago because they needed some conservation work, but they are now installed in front of the West Sacramento City Hall. The sculptures were created for outdoor display, so we don't plan on displaying them inside the Museum in the future. You can see another work by the artist on the first floor of the Museum. It's a clay sculpture called "Wolf Rider, Ophelia's Return."

Meet Artist Daniel Douke at the Crocker on July 14

2011-07-14T00:25:45Z

Artist Daniel Douke, whose paintings of computer boxes are so realistic they cause visitors to do double-takes, will give a talk at the Crocker Art Museum at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 14.

More than 20 of the artist’s paintings are on display in “Daniel Douke: Bytes of Reality,” which is on view at the Museum through July 17.

Douke’s work involves the photorealistic depiction of manufactured packaging—merging painting with sculpture and challenging our assumptions about reality and artifice. By making these discarded boxes art, he gives them permanence and value. At first glance, Douke’s boxes appear to be simply found objects. A closer look reveals that these are paintings rendered in exquisite detail, with text, packaging tape, smudges, and dents all carefully observed and painted. Even the canvas is stretched and shaped to perfection. The backs of these paintings offer clear evidence that this is very traditional work—with wooden stretchers, canvas, and gesso all exposed.

Born in 1943, Douke received his bachelor’s and master’s from California State University in Los Angeles. His photorealistic renderings of Southern California swimming pools first brought him notoriety in the mid-1970s, but it was at this moment that his concerns shifted from pictorial composition and the application of paint to volume and form. He made his first cardboard--box paintings in 1977, referencing a variety of goods ranging from automotive products to foodstuffs. In the 1990s, he returned to contemporary products and found quintessential subject matter in the brand-new packaging and slick graphics of computer boxes. The iMac, especially, had become a colorful high-tech fashion statement. Its packaging and promotion fascinated Douke, communicating a truth about reality, which he felt seemed to epitomize our era and “its promise of a technological utopian dream come true.”

Disclosure: Kathleen Richards has been a fan of the Crocker Art Museum since her very first visit in fourth grade, and she now serves as the Crocker's Marketing Coordinator.

Free Family Fun Day at the Crocker on June 19

2011-06-17T19:19:39Z

This Father’s Day take the whole family to the Crocker Art Museum’s "Free Family Fun Day.” On Sunday, June 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy a Museum-wide celebration of Impressionism and summertime with a host of family programs, including hands-on art making, interactive tours, dance and music performances, and much more.

“Free Family Fun Day” is a unique opportunity to sample the Crocker’s family programs, such as Drop, Yak, Splat!, studio art workshops, and family-friendly art tours. Visitors can try their hands at creating landscapes, sculpting with clay, or crafting portraits of their favorite heroes.

Artist Sarma Karsiere will lead a draw-along session focusing on landscapes. Classic children’s musician Mister Cooper will perform at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. while Mistura Brasileira, a local Brazilian dance troupe, will take the stage at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

“Free Family Fun Day” is sponsored by a grant from the James Irvine Foundation. Sunday, July 19, is also “Pay What You Wish” Sunday, sponsored by Bank of America.

For more information, visit crockerartmuseum.org or call (916) 808-7000.

The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Tuesday–Wednesday; 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Thursdays; 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Friday–Sunday. Every Third Sunday of the month is “Pay What You Wish Sunday” sponsored by Bank of America.

Crocker Art Museum’s Outdoor Jazz Concert Series Kicks Off Today

2011-05-19T21:49:35Z

From May through September, the Crocker Art Museum’s Thursdays ‘til 9 concert series Playlist heads outdoors to the shady comfort of the E. Kendell Davis Courtyard for a full season of jazz. From Cajun and Brazilian to smooth tunes, this summer’s concerts will offer up the best of the Museum’s former Third Thursday Jazz series and new Playlist music series.

Concerts will start at 6 p.m. and tickets are $6 for Museum members and $12 for nonmembers. Tickets are available for purchase online at crockerartmuseum.org, at the Museum Admission Desk, or by calling (916) 808-1182.

Alfresco dining and beverage specials will be available throughout the evening, and Museum spotlight talks will be offered during intermission.

Tom Rigney and Flambeau will offer up fiery Cajun and zydeco two-steps, low-down blues, and funky New Orleans grooves on May 19.

On June 16, Sandy Cressman and Homenagem Brasileira will perform original arrangements of music by the great composers of Brazilian jazz such as Dori Caymmi, Milton Nascimento, Joao Donato, Jobim and many others.

Ecuadorian born guitarist Iván Nájera will present an explosive show encompassing a multitude of Spanish, Latin, and jazz flavored rhythms on July 21.

On August 18, jazz keyboard master Roger Smith will perform with special guests. A producer and composer, Smith is one of the most prolific artists in contemporary jazz, and he has played with legends such as Jeff Beck, Gladys Knight, Willie Nelson, and Leon Russell.

On September 15, Little Charlie Caravan will close out the outdoor jazz series in a swinging concert of gypsy jazz. Charlie Baty, otherwise known as “Little Charlie,” has a unique guitar voice influenced by the music of Django Reinhardt, blues, and swing. Other members of the band include Jason Vanderford, Bob Armstrong, and Keith Cary.

Thursdays ‘til 9 is sponsored by Bank of America with media support provided by Capital Public Radio and Sac Cultural Hub.

The Crocker Art Museum was one of the first art museums in the U.S. and is now one of the leading art institutions in California. Established in 1885, the Museum features one of the country’s finest collections of Californian art, exceptional holdings of master drawings, a comprehensive collection of international ceramics, as well as European, Asian, African, and Oceanic art. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Tuesday–Wednesday; 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Thursdays; 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Friday–Sunday. Every Third Sunday of the month is “Pay What You Wish Sunday” sponsored by Bank of America. For more information, call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Crocker Art Museum Open on President's Day

2011-02-18T01:23:06Z

The Crocker Art Museum will open its doors on Monday, Feb. 21 for President’s Day. Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., visitors can hear the Sacramento Youth Symphony perform patriotic songs at 2 p.m. and discover works of art celebrating the history of the United States on a “Patriotic Tour” at 10:15 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. From noon to 3 p.m., art-making activities for children will explore the meaning of our nation’s symbols.

President’s Day is one of five Monday holidays on which the Crocker will be open this year. The Museum was open on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in January and will be open on Memorial Day and Labor Day in the fall, and The Monday after Christmas in the winter.

The Crocker Art Museum is one of the leading art institutions in California. Established in 1885, the Museum offers a diverse spectrum of special exhibitions, events, and programs to augment its collections of Californian, European, Asian, African, and Oceanic artworks.
The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Tuesday–Wednesday; 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Thursdays; 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Friday–Sunday. Every Third Sunday of the month is “Pay What You Wish Sunday” sponsored by Bank of America.

For more information, call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Kathleen Richards on "Crocker to host gala museum opening fundraiser"

2010-08-30T16:48:06Z

Every Third Sunday of the month, starting November 21st, will be "Pay What You Wish" Sunday, sponsored by Bank of America.

Neo-Crocker 2010: A Modern Culture Party Celebrates New Crocker on October 16

2010-08-16T17:10:36Z

Attendees to the Neo-Crocker 2010: A Modern Culture Party will celebrate the opening of the New Crocker with art experiences, DJs, dancing, performances and more. Presented by Bank of America, Neo-Crocker 2010 will be held in the new Teel Family Pavilion, existing Victorian buildings and exterior courtyards on Saturday, October 16, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Acclaimed performer Rjd2 will make his first Sacramento appearance at Neo-Crocker 2010. His latest album, “The Colussus,” was released in January 2010. The artist is well known for his tracks for various films, commercials and television shows, including “Mad Men“ and “CSI.”

Additional dynamic activities planned for the event include: a performance by DJ Shaun Slaughter; living sculptures by the Sacramento Ballet; fire dancing by Vulcan Crew and Unmata along with acrobatic performances by Carpet Bag Brigade; body art at Niello’s Body Shop; photo shoot by Wells Fargo; video smashup plus surreal and deranged short films by Movies on a Big Screen; a free-form fashion show and more.

“Neo-Crocker 2010 is a great opportunity to celebrate the New Crocker,” said Lial A. Jones, the Mort and Marcy Friedman Director of the Crocker Art Museum. “The opening of the Teel Family Pavilion provides many new opportunities for the community to become engaged with the Museum.”

The first Neo-Crocker event was held in October 2007 and brought together 1,300 individuals to celebrate the start of construction of the Teel Family Pavilion, set to open on October 10, 2010.

Neo-Crocker 2010 is a fundraiser to support modern culture at the Crocker. The event is presented by Bank of America with additional support from The Niello Company and Wells Fargo Bank. Tickets are $75 per person in advance, $95 at the door if available. To purchase tickets, visit neocrocker.com.

The Crocker Art Museum was established in 1885 and is one of the leading art institutions in Northern California. The Museum offers a diverse spectrum of special exhibitions, events and programs to augment its collections of California, European, Asian, African and Oceanic artworks. The Museum is closed for renovation through October 9. On October 10, the Crocker will open the 125,000-square-foot Teel Family Pavilion. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Starting October 12, Museum hours will be 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Tuesday–Wednesday; 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Thursdays; 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Friday–Sunday. Every Third Sunday of the month is “Pay What You Wish Sunday” sponsored by Bank of America. For more information, call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Public Invited to Hang at the Crocker

2010-06-23T18:32:21Z

Members of the public now have a rare opportunity to contribute to a community work of art that will be on display in the expanded Crocker Art Museum which opens October 10, 2010. The Hang at the Crocker community art project is one of the many ways the New Crocker will offer residents and friends of the Museum a way to participate and come together as a diverse and creative community.

The Crocker has commissioned Rachel Clarke to create a new media animated collage composed of four-by-six-inch, two-dimensional creations submitted by community members. Submissions can be a work of art, a photo of loved ones, a collage or other creation. The mosaic will be choreographed to music composed by Stephen Blumberg, projected on a wall in the Museum’s new Teel Family Pavilion and will become part of the Crocker’s collection.

Open to current and new Museum members, Hang at the Crocker is a way to demonstrate support for the New Crocker and hang a personal creation in the Museum. Existing members receive one free submission as a membership benefit and those who wish to join the Crocker can participate in Hang at the Crocker immediately. Membership rates start at $45. As the Museum is temporarily closed for renovation, new memberships will be extended through October 2011. An annual membership to the Crocker includes free general admission, discounts on classes and purchases in the Museum Store, invitations to members-only previews and much more.

The deadline to participate in Hang at the Crocker is July 20, 2010. For more information and to participate, visit hangatthecrocker.com or call the Crocker’s membership office at (916) 808-6730.

Watch a video simulation of the project

Artist Rachel Clarke combines digital and traditional media in drawings, video and new media installations. Originally from the United Kingdom, she is associate professor of electronic art at California State University, Sacramento. In October 2008, she was awarded Artist of the Year by the Arts and Business Council of Sacramento, awarded "For an artist...who has made a recent significant contribution to the cultural life of the Greater Sacramento Region."

Composer Stephen Blumberg is associate professor of composition and music theory at California State University, Sacramento and is artistic director of the CSUS Festival of New American Music. His music has been performed throughout the United States and abroad.

The Crocker Art Museum is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. The Museum is closed for renovation through October 9, 2010. For more information, please call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Slow Art Day this Saturday at the Crocker

2010-04-15T22:44:15Z

The Crocker Art Museum will be one of more than 40 sites worldwide to host Slow Art Day in 2010, an initiative that encourages visitors to slow down and spend quality time looking at a single artwork. Slow Art Day will take place on Saturday, April 17, starting at 11 a.m., at the Crocker.

“The majority of museum visitors view an artwork for less than 30 seconds,” said Christian Adame, manager of life-long learning at the Crocker Art Museum. “But it is easy to miss the artist’s message during such a quick look. This event is designed to help participants see art in a new way – to focus, contemplate and discuss their ideas.”

The Slow Art session at the Crocker will focus on three artworks in the Museum’s permanent collection: Stephen Kaltenbach’s "Portrait of My Father", Toshiko Takaezu’s "Devastation Trees", and Thomas Hill’s "Great Canyon of the Sierras, Yosemite."

“The concept for Slow Art is very simple: visit a museum, see a few pieces of art for 10 minutes or more, and have lunch to talk about it afterwards,” said Phil Terry, founder of Slow Art and the Reading Odyssey. “Visitors are invited to come, to feel welcome, to not worry about what experts say but rather to take the time themselves to see and discover what is possible when slowly viewing art.”

This Slow Art session is free with Museum admission. Participants are invited to continue their discussion during lunch at the Marketplace Café in Embassy Suites on Capitol Mall. Reservations are required. To register, call (916) 808-5499 or email education@crockerartmuseum.org. Visit slowartday.com for more information about the international event.

The Crocker Art Museum was established in 1885 and continues as the leading art institution for the California Capital Region and Central Valley. The Museum offers a diverse spectrum of special exhibitions, events and programs to augment its collections of California, European and Asian artworks. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday; 1st & 3rd Thursdays until 9 p.m. Free admission on Sundays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. is made possible through the support of Bank of America. For more information on exhibits and events call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Kathleen Richards on "Crocker pushes forward to opening new wing"

2010-02-13T01:15:03Z

Good question! We've raised $90 million of our $100 million minimum need. Roughly 72 percent of the $90 million is from individuals. You can learn more about the project and ways to get involved at newcrocker.org.

Classical Concert This Sunday Features Bach’s Goldberg Variations

2009-12-19T00:02:05Z

Concert pianist Sachiko Kato will perform Bach’s Goldberg Variations on Sunday, December 20, at 3 p.m. The hour-long performance will take place in Capistrano Hall at Sacramento State. Concerts are free to members of the Crocker Art Museum, $12 for nonmembers and $5 for students and seniors. Free parking is available in Parking Structure I, which is adjacent to the Hall.

The Goldberg Variations, composed in 1742, is one of Bach’s masterpieces, but it is not often performed in concert due to the complexity and length of the work. Kato will open the concert with a work by contemporary Japanese composer Somei Satoh titled Hashi (Bridges) II.

A native of Osaka, Japan, Kato grew up in Los Angeles where she gained recognition as a promising artist and started performing with the Brentwood Symphony Orchestra at age 15. She received a Bachelor of Music from California State University, Northridge, and was offered a scholarship to study at the Juilliard School, where she received a Master of Music degree. Her teachers included renowned pianists Russell Sherman, Jerome Lowenthal and Herbert Stessin.

Kato has performed extensively throughout the United States and Japan. She has recently been heard at the Lincoln Center Alice Tully Hall and Performing Arts Library, World Financial Center, Steinway Hall and Klavierhaus Hall in New York and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. She is also a founder of "Weaving Japanese Sounds – Music of Modern Japan" which presents the works of various Japanese contemporary composers to American audiences in friendly settings. Her debut album, Sachiko Kato: Live at the Phoenix Hall, was released in 2008 and features piano works of Japanese and American contemporary composers.

The Crocker’s Classical Concert series will go on hiatus following the December concert. The series will resume after the Museum opens its expanded facility to the public on October 10, 2010.

Crocker Classical Concerts are supported in part by Capital Public Radio. For more information, call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org/classical.

The Crocker Art Museum was established in 1885 and continues as the leading art institution for the California Capital Region and Central Valley. The Museum offers a diverse spectrum of special exhibitions, events and programs to augment its collections of California, European and Asian artworks. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday; Thursday until 9 p.m. Admission is free on Sundays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information on exhibits and events call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Crocker Holiday Art & Craft Festival This Weekend

2009-11-25T19:16:44Z

More than 95 regional artists and craftspeople will offer their unique gift items during the Crocker Art Museum’s Holiday Art & Craft Festival at the Scottish Rite Center, located across from the main entrance of California State University, Sacramento, at 6151 H Street. Visitors will support the Crocker and local artists while they shop for everyone on their holiday list with an array of gift items and price ranges.

The artist’s creations for sale include jewelry, ceramics, paintings, gourmet food, a variety of unique holiday items and more. You can also capture the holiday season by having photos taken with a Victorian Santa Claus in the front lobby. Attendees will also enjoy free parking and a café by Ambrosia Catering.

Running from November 27-29, festival admission is free to Crocker members, $6 for adults and $3 for seniors, students and children. The Holiday Art & Craft Festival is open Friday 1-7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The event is presented by the Crocker Art Museum and the Creative Arts League of Sacramento.

Crocker Presents Soaring Voices Film Festival October 17

2009-10-06T00:05:24Z

This fall the Crocker Art Museum will host a daylong festival of contemporary films by female directors exploring the roles of Japanese and Japanese American women. Held to coincide with the Crocker’s exhibit of contemporary ceramics by Japanese women, Soaring Voices, the festival will include four film screenings at the Guild Theater, located at 2828 35th Street, on Saturday, October 17. Local filmmakers, artists and scholars will introduce and offer insight on each film.

“Soaring Voices tells the story of Japanese women breaking into the male-only ceramic world, and these films expand on that story by looking at the position of women in Japanese society as a whole,” commented Christian Adame, manager of life-long learning at the Crocker Art Museum.

The festival will kick-off with a screening of From a Silk Cocoon at 9:30 a.m. Woven through censored letters, diary entries and haiku poetry, this documentary recounts the story of a Japanese American couple whose shattered dreams and forsaken loyalties led them to renounce their American citizenship while held in American internment camps during World War II. Local director Satsuki Ina will introduce the film.

Wool 100% will start at 11 a.m. Combining live action, puppetry and animation, this drama is about two aging women who live a solitary life collecting discarded items from a nearby town. One day they return home to find a young girl knitting a red sweater in their house. Each time the girl finishes her sweater, she mysteriously unravels it and starts again. Classical pianist Natsuki Fukasawa will introduce this film, directed by Mai Tominaga.

In Shinjuku Boys, showing at 1 p.m., directors Kim Longinotto and Jano Williams explore the complexity of female sexuality in Japan today. This film introduces three “onnabes,” women who live as men but do not usually identify as lesbians. All three, who work as hosts at the New Marilyn Club in Tokyo, talk frankly to the camera about women, sex, transvestitism and lesbianism. Cindi Sturtz Sreetharan, Ph.D., assistant director of the Asian Studies Program at Sacramento State will introduce the film.

Starting at 2:25 p.m., Sacramento Area Youth Speaks will perform original works and recitations based on the Soaring Voices exhibit.

The final film, K-20: Legend of the Mask, will be screened at 2:45 p.m. Director Shimako Sato combines a top cast with stunning visual effects to depict a story of a Ninja-like thief who lives in a very different version of 1949 Feudal Japan, where World War II never happened. This film will make its Sacramento premiere at the festival. Jenny Stark, associate professor of film and video at Sacramento State, will introduce the film.

Guests can mingle with speakers during the festival’s after party starting at 5:30 p.m. at nearby 40 Acres Art Gallery.

All day passes to the festival are $10 for Crocker Art Museum members, $15 for nonmembers and $12 for students and seniors. Light fare and refreshments will be available for purchase. Festival goers are invited to attend a pre-festival tour of Soaring Voices on Friday, October 16 at 4 p.m. This Festival is supported by VIZ Pictures, Inc., Cinema Epoch and Women Make Movies.
Reservations are required by October 14. To register for one or more films, call (916) 808-5499 or email education@crockerartmuseum.org. Passes will be available for purchase at the door. Visit crockerartmuseum.org/film for more information.

Classical Concert this Sunday features Viennese Operettas

2009-09-25T17:31:04Z

Delve into the romance of the Viennese operetta with tenor Hannes Busch, soprano Rufina Anatolevan-James and pianist Schinnerer Deffner. This Sunday, September 27 at 3 p.m., enjoy a luxurious hour of 13 operettas by timeless composers Emmerich Kálmán, Franz Lehár, Johann Strauss Jr. and Carl Zeller. The Classical Concert is presented by the Crocker Art Museum. Due to construction for the Museum’s expansion, the concerts now take place on the Sacramento State campus in Capistrano Hall.

A renowned opera and concert singer, Busch was educated at the Opera Studio of Hannover, Germany, where he was later engaged as a soloist for operettas. He has also been a recipient of the prestigious Puccini Award in Dresden, Germany, for his vocal talent. He is currently living in Sacramento and has appeared with the Sacramento Opera Company as Dr. Grenvil in La Traviata.

Anatolevan-James has performed leading operatic roles in Europe and the United States, and acts as a soloist in a variety of oratorios, concerts and studio recordings. She was awarded the 1998 Grand Prize winner in the San Francisco Concerto Orchestra International Vocal Competitions, and holds both Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Indiana University School of Music.

Deffner began specializing in piano accompaniment in London, and she frequently performs in chamber music ensembles throughout Western Europe and the United States. She is currently performing and giving workshops in French Art Song.

For more than 50 years, the Crocker has hosted internationally renowned and talented local musicians for Crocker Classical Concerts. Concerts are held on the fourth Sunday of every month from 3-4 p.m. and are free to members of the Crocker Art Museum, $12 for nonmembers and $5 for students and seniors. Free parking is available in Parking Structure I, which is adjacent to the Hall.

Crocker Classical Concerts are supported in part by Capital Public Radio. For more information, call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org/classical.

Kathleen Richards on "Crest relit Monday night"

2009-09-21T23:11:44Z

Congrats!!

Roger Smith Performs at the Crocker This Thursday

2009-09-14T21:26:58Z

Jazz keyboard master Roger Smith will perform during the Crocker Art Museum’s Third Thursday Jazz Summer Concert Series on September 17 from 5:30-8 p.m. Smith and his band will bring their lively spirit and exceptional talent to perform an array of melodies ranging from R&B to smooth jazz. This is the final concert of the Summer Concert Series before it takes a hiatus during the winter months.

During his 30 year career, Smith has released five CD recordings and collaborated on countless others. His Off the Hook was a smash, No. 1 hit on Billboard’s contemporary jazz singles chart in 1999 and stayed in the top 10 for nearly 20 weeks. Smith returned to the charts in 2004 with the 14-track solo CD Just Enough. His latest CD release and single of the same name, Sittin’ In is gaining airplay across the country. He has been the keyboard player and background vocalist in the Oakland-based soul band Tower of Power since 1999 and continues to tour over 180 days per year. Currently, he is developing projects with his band Jazz Rosco and producing projects for several other artists.

The Summer Concert Series is held in the Museum’s courtyard on the third Thursday of the month from May through September. Light refreshments and beverages are available for purchase. Concerts are free to Crocker members and $10 for nonmembers.

The Third Thursday Jazz Summer Concert Series is supported in part by 94.7 KSSJ, Renwood Winery, Rubicon Brewing Co. and Pepsi. For more information, call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.com/jazz.

Crocker's Jazz Series Features Peter Morgan this Thursday

2009-08-17T18:49:19Z

Contemporary jazz guitarist Peter Morgan and his ensemble will perform a light and breezy instrumental jazz with a coastal island flavor at the Crocker's popular Third Thursday Jazz Summer Concert Series on August 20. Running from May through September, concerts are held in the Museum Courtyard on the third Thursday of the month from 5:30-8 p.m. Light refreshments and beverages are available for purchase. Concerts are free to Crocker members and $10 for nonmembers.

Morgan is regarded as a stand-out vocalist and guitarist who brings an eclectic musical energy to all of his performances. He has performed alongside some of the biggest names in smooth jazz including Fattburger, Michael McDonald and keyboardist Phillipe Saisse. The Peter Morgan Band was recently voted "Favorite Musicians" by the readers of Folsom/El Dorado Hills Style Magazine. They have released two albums demonstrating their own distinctive style of jazz ranging from emotional piano ballads to high-energy Latin jazz with something for everyone to enjoy.

“To be able to create music that makes people cry, laugh or dance is a real gift," Morgan says. "It makes me want to pursue my music with a vengeance."

Iván Nájera Performs Tonight at the Crocker Art Museum

2009-06-18T16:31:40Z

Ecuador born guitarist Iván Nájera will perform at the Crocker Art Museum's popular Third Thirsday Jazz Summer Concert Series tonight. When it comes to contagious guitar rhythms and improvisational talent, Nájera is a true master. His sound is influenced by Spanish and Latin jazz rhythms and has been described as exhilarating and contagious.

Nájera’s influences are rich in cultural diversity, inspired by styles that include traditional Spanish Flamenco, Brazilian, Tropicalia, Andean, jazz and contemporary. He accompanies these with an underlying hint of classical seasoning, which he believes rests at the heart of any truly exceptional composition. Over the past year, Nájera has begun to add vocals to his musical mixtures. He now complements his guitar playing with a soft, evocative baritone that enhances the dimension of his music.

Najera will also be releasing his newest album at the performance, an exhilarating mixture of Spanish and Latin jazz, with a surprising upbeat element of explosive passion that makes this his most danceable release to date. He says of the new album, "This CD was born in my soul,” states the classically trained guitarist. “It is the manifestation of all that has happened in the years since my last release, and it is a testament to life. To living. To old friends and new beginnings.”

From May through September, Third Thursday Jazz concerts are held in the Museum's courtyard on the third Thursday of the month from 5:30-8 p.m. Light refreshments and beverages are available for purchase. Concerts are free to Crocker members and $10 for nonmembers.The Summer Concert series is supported in part by 94.7 KSSJ, Renwood Winery, Rubicon Brewing Co. and Pepsi. For more information, call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org/jazz.

The Crocker Art Museum was founded in 1885 and continues as the leading art institution for the California Capital Region and Central Valley. The Museum offers a diverse spectrum of special exhibitions, events and programs to augment its collections of California, European and Asian artworks. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday; Thursday until 9 p.m. Free admission on Sundays from 10 AM-1 PM is made possible through the support of Bank of America. For more information on exhibits and events call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Summer Concert Series Kicks off at the Crocker this Thursday

2009-05-19T19:50:05Z

An all-star cast of jazz musicians are slated to perform during the Crocker Art Museum’s popular Third Thursday Jazz Summer Concert Series. From May through September, concerts are held outside on the third Thursday of the month from 5:30-8 p.m. Light refreshments and beverages are available for purchase. Concerts are free to Crocker members and $10 for nonmembers.

The Perry Mills Project will open the series this Thursday, May 21. Guitarist and singer Perry Mills will lead his band in a passionate fusion of rock and jazz. Their new CD Hello? is aimed at engaging, rhythmic, and approachable musical art, infused with R&B and jam-band vibes, while keeping the integrity of progressive-rock and jazz-fusion influences. Passionate and dramatic, the music breaks new ground and serves to connect people’s hearts to the movement of energy and beauty.

Guitarist and singer Perry Mills is a veteran of the Los Angeles touring scene who first appeared on the Northern California music landscape with Objects in the Mirror. His music stemmed from the influences of soul, R&B and favorites like Jimi Hendrix, Joe Satriani and Steely Dan. The band features a marvelous lineup of artists in their own right, including composer and saxophonist Grant Reeves, bassist Mike Kelly, vocalist Tanya Scarlett, and fellow Objects alumni Mark McCartney on drums and Bob Villwock on keyboards.

“We want to touch hearts with this music, to unlock some emotional response for people that they maybe haven't yet found,” said Mills. “At a live show, to connect in that way with the art and the audience is uplifting for everyone. That's what the art is really all about. We want the audience to leave the show feeling better, inspired and energized.”

The Crocker Art Museum was founded in 1885 and continues as the leading art institution for the California Capital Region and Central Valley. The Museum offers a diverse spectrum of special exhibitions, events and programs to augment its collections of California, European and Asian artworks. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday; Thursday until 9 p.m. Free admission on Sundays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. is made possible through the support of Bank of America. For more information on exhibits and events call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Parrish Prints Exhibit Opens at the Crocker Today

2009-05-08T18:02:13Z

Making its debut and only West Coast stop at the Crocker Art Museum from May 8 – July 19, Fantasies and Fairy-Tales: Maxfield Parrish and the Art of the Print offers a rare look at 95 of the popular commercial prints and illustrations for which the artist became known. One of the most important illustrators of the 20th century, Parrish was a major figure in the Golden Age of Illustration and continued to pursue his enduring vision for nearly a century.

This exhibition is unique for examining the artist's printed works, whereas previous retrospectives focused primarily on oil paintings. Divided into five sections—advertisements, book illustrations, calendars, magazine covers and proof sets—the exhibition shows his mastery of four-color lithography, his humorous use of literature and children’s stories, and the development of his unique, lush landscapes and figurative works.

“In the 1920s and 1930s Parrish was the most reproduced artist in the United States,” said William Breazeale, Curator, Crocker Art Museum. “Most homes had a Parrish reproduction on the wall, and his works, especially his prints, continue to be very popular today.”

As something of a child prodigy, Parrish’s attention to detail and unique sense of composition were evident early in his work. He began his career illustrating covers for Scribner's Magazine, and the humor that he brought to these commissions ensured his popularity with the public. From Mary, Quite Contrary in a gardening advertisement to visions of Wynken, Blinken and Nod and their journey, each of his meticulously crafted four-color lithographs created a world of fantasy and lush beauty. Parrish was also a technical innovator who used photography as an aid in creating figures or drapery. Even the majestic mountains in his backgrounds were based on a collection of small, craggy rocks and sand, which he arranged on his desk to suit the composition.

Parrish’s works have inspired generations of artists, including Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns, who also took elements of commercial and fine art to create a new art form. Today these images, part of the nation’s collective consciousness, are being discovered by a new generation.

The Crocker Art Museum was founded in 1885 and continues as the leading art institution for the California Capital Region and Central Valley. The Museum offers a diverse spectrum of special exhibitions, events and programs to augment its collections of California, European and Asian artworks. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday; 1st and 3rd Thursdays until 9 p.m. Free admission on Sundays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. is made possible through the support of Bank of America. For more information on exhibits and events call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Crocker Announces Summer Art Classes for Children, Teens & Adults

2009-04-23T18:14:15Z

This summer let the Crocker Art Museum’s world-class art collection be your source for exploration, instruction and inspiration. The Crocker presents more than 20 educational opportunities this summer for children, teens and adults interested in expanding and exercising their artistic awareness and abilities. All classes are taught by highly skilled teaching artists and are designed to encourage students to unleash their imaginations while receiving formal lessons in color, line, texture and a variety of media.

Summer Art Classes for children range from two-day workshops to week-long sessions, and this year marks the first series of Summer Art Classes for Adults. The Crocker’s Teen Action Team has also planned three half-day workshops and events for teens. Each session is designed for a particular age group and taught by local artists using artwork from the Crocker collection and changing exhibitions for inspiration.

Registration is now open and Crocker members receive discounts. Session fees range from $40 to $145 per student and include class materials and refreshments.

Classes and workshops vary by location. Due to construction for the Museum’s expansion, most summer classes for children are held offsite at the West Sacramento Civic Center Galleria, located at 1110 West Capitol Avenue, approximately five minutes from the Crocker.
For more information, contact the Education Department at (916) 808-1182 or education@crockerartmuseum.org. Download a registration form at crockerartmuseum.org/summer.

The Crocker Art Museum was founded in 1885 and continues as the leading art institution for the California Capital Region and Central Valley. The Museum offers a diverse spectrum of special exhibitions, events and programs to augment its collections of California, European and Asian artworks. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday; Thursday until 9 p.m. Admission is free on Sundays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information on exhibits and events call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Call for Regional Artists: Holiday Art & Craft Festival 2009

2009-04-20T23:07:41Z

The Crocker Art Museum and the Creative Arts League of Sacramento are seeking local artists and craftspeople to showcase their work in the annual Holiday Art & Craft Festival taking place November 27-29, 2009. This event features a variety of crafts including jewelry, ceramics, painting, gourmet food, knit items and much more.

The Holiday Art & Craft Festival will take place at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center at 6151 H Street, located across from the main entrance of California State University, Sacramento. The event regularly attracts 5,000 to 7,000 shoppers each year, and the venue features ample room for exhibitors and plenty of free parking.

Vendor applications are available online at crockerartmuseum.org/holidayfestival. Applications must be received by July 1, 2009, and applicants will be notified of their selection mid-August. All work submitted must be the applicant’s own original work, no manufactured items will be permitted. All reproductions must be signed, limited editions.

For more information, visit crockerartmuseum.org/holidayfestival.

The Crocker Art Museum was founded in 1885 and continues as the leading art institution for the California Capital Region and Central Valley. The Museum offers a diverse spectrum of special exhibitions, events and programs to augment its collections of California, European and Asian artworks. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday; 1st and 3rd Thursdays until 9 p.m. Free admission on Sundays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. is made possible through the support of Bank of America. For more information on exhibits and events call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Crocker Launches Arts Stimulus Package

2009-02-20T23:24:28Z

Economy have you feeling down? The Crocker Art Museum is offering some much-needed respite and relaxation at special rates through its Arts Stimulus Package. Launching today, the special deals and discounts will remain in effect through 2009.

“Historically, museums are very well attended during times of national strife and economic decline,” comments Lial A. Jones, Director, Crocker Art Museum. “Individuals look for places to relax and refresh. Our goal is to keep the Crocker easily accessible during this difficult time.”

The Arts Stimulus Package includes two ongoing specials for the general public and extra discounts for public employees on Furlough Fridays.

Guests can purchase a new membership onsite at the Museum and receive $5 off an Individual or Family-level membership, regularly $45 and $55 respectively. Membership benefits include one full year of offerings from the Crocker, including free admission, special exhibition opening celebrations, Third Thursday Jazz concerts, family programs and more.

Visitors enjoy 10 percent off a purchase of $10 or more at the Museum Store with the coupon available for download at crockerartmuseum.org/specials. The Museum Store offers a variety of unique items that reflect the Museum's diverse art collection, its exhibitions and programs and the regional arts scene.

Every Friday, state, county and city employees may show their business cards or identification badges to receive reduced admission for up to four individuals. Furlough Friday admission rates are $4 adults, $3 seniors and $2 students. Admission is regularly $6 adults, $4 seniors and $3 students. Public workers will also receive $10 off a new membership when purchased onsite at the Museum on Furlough Fridays.

For more information, visit crockerartmuseum.org/specials.

The Crocker Art Museum was founded in 1885 and continues as the leading art institution for the California Capital Region and Central Valley. The Museum offers a diverse spectrum of special exhibitions, events and programs to augment its collections of California, European and Asian artworks. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday; 1st and 3rd Thursdays until 9 p.m. Free admission on Sundays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. is made possible through the support of Bank of America. For more information on exhibits and events call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Kathleen Richards on "Sacramento Museum Day Returns February 7"

2009-02-04T22:24:26Z

I'm sorry Jonathan! Glad you added your comments. Museum Day is the perfect opportunity to check out a new museum that you may not have been to before.

Sacramento Museum Day Returns February 7

2009-02-03T22:29:19Z

Twenty-six greater Sacramento area museums will be offering free admission, all day long, during the 11th Annual Sacramento Museum Day. This event is presented by the Sacramento Association of Museums, and proudly supported by Umpqua Bank. Sacramento Museum Day takes place Saturday, February 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All participating museums close at 5 p.m., with the last guests admitted at 4 p.m.

Museum Day, a Sacramento cultural tradition, invites all members of the community to experience the Capital City’s incredible wealth of art, history, science and wildlife at numerous participating museums at no cost. Twenty-six museums in all will be participating in Museum Day for 2009, the largest number ever! Several participating museums also offer special programming during Sacramento Museum Day, in addition to regular exhibitions.

“The Sacramento region boasts dozens of museums, many of them relatively unknown to local residents,” said Sacramento Association of Museums Chairman Paul Hammond. “Sacramento Museum Day is a great opportunity to sample these institutions and, in the process, to learn about our region, our state, and our world.” Nearly 55,000 people enjoyed the Capital City’s museums during Sacramento Museum Day 2008; since the event’s inception, well over one-half million people have enjoyed Sacramento Museum Day.

Event coordinators suggest that guests plan to see no more than two or three different museums this day, to allow adequate time to enjoy the experience and to travel between individual sites. Also, since some museums must limit the number of admissions this day for safety reasons, guests are asked to check out detailed Museum Day information online at sacmuseums.org, prior to February 7. “And whatever you do,” says Museum Day Coordinator Delta Pick Mello, “consider visiting museums that you’ve never been to—or perhaps have never even heard of. That’s what this event is all about: discovering the many different museums that are right here in our own backyard!”

Sacramento Museum Day 2009 is proudly supported by Umpqua Bank. Media sponsors include KVIE Public Television, Capital Public Radio, Outword magazine, and News10’s Sacramento & Co. Free shuttle buses will operate throughout the day with stopping points located adjacent to most—but not all—participating museums. The California Museum, at 10th and ‘O’ Streets, serves as the central transfer point for the five different shuttle routes in operation during Sacramento Museum Day. Volunteer “step-on” tour guides will be on-board to assist riders and narrate the route, courtesy of the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau and California State University, Sacramento. Riders with special needs will be accommodated courtesy of Cerebral Palsy Transport.

Detailed information about participating museums, suggested parking, public transit options, and free event shuttle routes is available at sacmuseums.org (click on “Museum Day”), or by calling the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau at (916) 808-7777.

PARTICIPATING MUSEUMS FOR SACRAMENTO MUSEUM DAY 2009:
Aerospace Museum of California – California Foundry History Museum – California State Military Museum – California State Capitol Museum – The California Museum – California State Indian Museum – California State Railroad Museum – Crocker Art Museum* – Discovery Museum Science and Space Center – Don and June Salvatori California Pharmacy Museum – Explorit Science Center (Davis) – Fairytale Town – Folsom History Museum – Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park – Heidrick Ag History Center (Woodland) – Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park – Museum of Medical History – Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum – Old Sacramento State Historic Park – Sacramento Zoo – Sacramento Historic City Cemetery – Sacramento History Museum (formerly Discovery Museum History Center) -- Sojourner Truth Multicultural Arts Museum – Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park – Towe Auto Museum – Wells Fargo History Museum (Old Sacramento location only).

*Please note that the Crocker Art Museum is under construction for its major expansion. Parking and gallery access will be limited, and shuttle service will not be offered to the Crocker Art Museum during Sacramento Museum Day 2009.

Comprised of 27 greater Sacramento area museums working in partnership with the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Sacramento Association of Museum's mission is to raise awareness of local museums by giving the community the opportunity to discover California’s fine art, history, science and wildlife treasures. SAM achieves its mission through implementing cooperative promotions and developing strategic marketing alliances, by encouraging sharing of knowledge and resources among its partner institutions, and by conducting Sacramento Museum Day each year.

Kathleen Richards on "Hot Italians, bicycle rims and instant pizza"

2009-01-29T18:23:27Z

Thanks for the update! I've been waiting for this place to open!

Attain Enlightenment at the Crocker: Buddha Exhibition Opens Saturday

2009-01-29T18:10:09Z

According to tradition, Buddha was a spiritual being who attained enlightenment and shared his teachings, giving birth to Buddhism, a philosophy originating in Asia and practiced for centuries. In "Buddha," a new exhibition on view January 31 through April 19, the Crocker Art Museum explores the differences of Buddhist belief revealed through the depiction of the Enlightened One in more than 40 objects dating from the first millennium to the modern age.

As Buddhism spread in waves across Asia, the dissemination of the historical Buddha’s teachings resulted in varied interpretations and beliefs and created numerous schools of thought. This exhibition demonstrates how the differences in Buddhist philosophy, context and character resulted in differing representations of the buddhas.

Bringing together works from 11 Asian countries, "Buddha" features early Gandhara images of Buddha from Pakistan depicting the narrative of the enlightened one’s life, sculptures and paintings from China and Japan and works from the Himalayas. Such varied depictions of the buddhas reflect local styles and preferences in materials, illustrating the common characteristics of the Buddha – distended earlobes and monk’s robes. The choice of imagery is also closely linked to specific schools of Buddhism. This great variety of interpretations enhances our understanding of the cultures that created such devotional objects.

The Crocker will mark the opening of "Buddha" with a weekend-long celebration. Rev. Bob Oshita of the Buddhist Church of Sacramento will lead a dedication for the exhibition at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 31. Docent-led tours will be offered both Saturday and Sunday for visitors who want a closer look at the exhibit.

A 120-page catalogue published by Pomegranate Communications with more than 75 full-color photographs will accompany the exhibition. Exhibition organizer and catalogue author Nancy Tingley, Ph.D is the adjunct curator of Asian art at the Crocker Art Museum. The book will be available in the Crocker Art Museum Store for $29.95.

The Crocker Art Museum was founded in 1885 and continues as the leading art institution for the California Capital Region and Central Valley. The Museum offers a diverse spectrum of special exhibitions, events and programs to augment its collections of California, European and Asian artworks. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday; 1st and 3rd Thursdays until 9 p.m. Free admission on Sundays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. is made possible through the support of Bank of America. For more information on exhibits and events call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Kathleen Richards on "The Midtown Players"

2009-01-15T21:34:55Z

So interesting! I pass that theatre often and wondered what took place. I know the Pease Conservatory of Music occupies the space above the theatre. Do they do performances in the theatre as well?

Kathleen Richards on "California Artists Showcased in Competitive Exhibit"

2009-01-13T20:35:16Z

Good question, Colleen! The Crocker-Kingsley juror changes each time the exhibition is offered, generally every two years. The juror is chosen by a curator from the Crocker and the exhibition chair and president of the Kingsley Art Club, which helps us put on the exhibition. Together they draw up a list of possible names, contact them to see if they are interested and available, and then the team votes on who would be the best fit. The jurors have all been nationally or internationally known and mostly California or West Coast-connected. Past jurors have included Museum directors, curators and college professors. Many are practicing contemporary artists, and all have a wide background in more than just their specialty. By the way, The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons closes this Sunday, so you bet hurry in!

California Artists Showcased in Competitive Exhibit

2009-01-12T19:12:41Z

January 10, 2009 – Sacramento, Calif. – Showcasing both established and emerging artists in California, the Crocker Art Museum presents the 75th competitive exhibition The Crocker-Kingsley: California’s Biennial from January 10 to February 6, 2009. Due to construction at the Crocker, the exhibition will take place at the Tsakopoulos Library Galleria, located in Downtown Sacramento at 828 I Street. This exhibit will display 59 contemporary artworks in a wide array of media – painting, photography, sculpture, print and craft.

These works demonstrate the vibrant art scene throughout California. More than 500 artists submitted nearly 1,500 works for this competitive exhibit. The juror, nationally acclaimed artist Michael Bishop, selected 59 works from 54 artists which he felt were the “most fresh and original.” The Crocker-Kingsley presents an excellent opportunity to see various artistic developments in California within a diverse context of artists and mediums.

Among the 54 artists selected to display their works, five artists have received awards for the exceptional quality and excellence of their artworks. Agelio Batle, from San Francisco, was awarded Best of Show for his work of suspended graphite on wood panel, titled Black Growth. Kin Kwok, also from San Francisco, received First Place for his sculptural work of porcelain, pigments and resin, titled Orange Faces. Second Place was awarded to Sacramento artist Gioia Fonda for She Wears Perfume For Luck When She Plays Bingo, a work in acrylic, watercolor, gouache and ink. Geoff Tuttle of Sacramento was awarded Third Place for his mixed-media installation of wood, motor, electric parts, halogen bulbs and plexi, titled Projector. Lastly, San Jose artist Trevor Koch received Honorable Mention for his sculpture of low-fire ceramic, glaze, latex paint, flocking, found objects and hardware, titled Implement.

Visitors to the exhibition between January 10 and February 23 will have the opportunity to vote for the work they believe is deserving of the People’s Choice Award. The winner will be posted on the Crocker’s website on February 2.

On Saturday, January 24, Crocker-Kingsley juror Michael Bishop will talk about his studio and public art from 12-1:30 p.m. He will also discuss the Biennial from the juror’s perspective and what goes into judging an exhibition like the Crocker-Kingsley. This forum will take place in the East Meeting Room of the Sacramento Public Library located in Downtown Sacramento at 828 I Street. Reservations are required for this forum. To register, call (916) 808-1182 or email education@crockerartmuseum.org.

The Crocker Art Museum was founded in 1885 and continues as the leading art institution for the California Capital Region and Central Valley. The Museum offers a diverse spectrum of special exhibitions, events and programs to augment its collections of California, European and Asian artworks. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday; 1st and 3rd Thursdays until 9 p.m. Free admission on Sundays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. is made possible through the support of Bank of America. For more information on exhibits and events call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.

Kathleen Richards on "What's Opera, Doc? "

2009-01-02T21:39:12Z

Sure, David! I work at the Crocker Art Museum and currently live in Midtown. I grew up in Sacramento, went away for a few years before moving back a little over two years ago. I'm so excited to be back, especially at a time of such transformation in the city. It's espeically great to be a part of the Crocker during this historic expansion.

What's Opera, Doc?

2008-12-31T00:58:42Z

Thanks to Bugs and Elmer Fudd, the music of Richard Wagner, Gaetano Donizetti and Gioachino Rossini is familiar to young audiences today. Who can forget Bugs Bunny donning maestro’s tailcoat to conduct an overstuffed opera tenor through an absurdity of vocal pyrotechnics?

On January 10, the Crocker Art Museum and the Sacramento Opera will present a delightful musical performance exploring how Warner Bros. cartoons introduced classical music to generations.

Discover the origins of opera, its relation to the visual art world, its diffusion to other countries and how it came to appear in Warner Bros. cartoons and other pop culture outlets. Enjoy viewing such masterpieces as What’s Opera, Doc?, The Rabbit of Seville and Long-Haired Hare. The program also features performances of three popular opera selections.

This free program will be conducted twice at 12 and 2 p.m. at Curtis Hall in the Sierra 2 Center, located at 2791 24th Street. Appropriate for children ages 6-12, the program is offered in conjunction with The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons, on view at the Crocker through January 18.
For more information, contact the Crocker’s Education Department at (916) 808-1963. Reservations not required.

The Crocker Art Museum was founded in 1885 and continues as the leading art institution for the California Capital Region and Central Valley. The Museum offers a diverse spectrum of special exhibitions, events and programs to augment its collections of California, European and Asian artworks. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in Downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday; 1st & 3rd Thursdays until 9 p.m. Free admission on Sundays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. is made possible through the support of Bank of America. For more information on exhibits and events call (916) 808-7000 or visit crockerartmuseum.org.