Page 2 - sc1808

A new artistic renaissance is evolving in
Santa Clarita, in an arts scene crafted and Public art holds a mirror up to the community. It helps us
Public art adds interest and cul tiv ated by our local arts community, identify ourselves and bridges the past, present and near
invigorates public spaces, while Arts Commission and City Council. future. The Cycling Bear by local artist Frank Rock now
at the same time reflecting greets cyclists and pedestrians along the Chuck Pontius
and revealing our history, culture and unique Today, the arts are alive in Santa Clarita - in performances on our stages, Commuter-Rail Trail. The life-sized fiberglass bear
community. We are fortunate to currently have 34 public art on our gallery walls, throughout communities by way of public art, and in was installed during National Bike to Work Week
pieces throughout the City of Santa Clarita, and many more on music permeating from our entertainment venues and public spaces. and is part of The California Bear Project,
the way! one of many public art projects the City is
The City of Santa Clarita made a commitment to enhance the artistic and driving to make art and expression easily
You can be an active part of your imagination when the Imag_ne cultural lives of our residents and visitors when the Arts Master Plan accessible to our residents. Public
sculpture makes it home in front of the Santa Clarita Public was adopted in 2016, a long-term roadmap for arts, entertainment and murals can be seen around the City,
and even trash bins are becoming art as
Library Valencia Branch. You’ll notice the word “imagine” is cultural development in the City. they are reimagined through The Art Can Project along
missing its “i” – that’s where you come in! The playful sculpture Main Street in Old Town Newhall.
includes larger-than-life scrabble tiles with the second “i” Since then, the City has put the plan into action and increased funding
missing. This empty space invites the audience to physically for its Arts Grants program by 50%, adopted a Civic Art Policy In Santa Clarita, everyone is encouraged to create, enjoy and
engage with the work and stand in the gap in order to complete to increase funding for public art projects, supported the newly advocate art. Art inspires and enriches the quality of life in our
the word. The internationally acclaimed public sculpture was refurbished Newhall Family Theatre for the Performing Arts, launched community. For more information on art and art happenings
designed by Australian-born artist Emma Anna and will be SantaClaritaArts.com as a portal for art and cultural information in the around the City, please visit SantaClaritaArts.com.
unveiled in November. community, and began operating a central arts venue called the
The MAIN in Old Town Newhall, which features an art gallery,
live shows, improvisational acts, live music and much more.
Soon our City sidewalks will also become works of art. The
Sidewalk Poetry project will take original poems from residents,
or anyone with a connection to Santa Clarita, and imprint them There are a total of eight City-managed galleries located
throughout the City, including in our Santa Clarita Public Library
into our City sidewalks. The call for poetry for the 2019 project branches, City Hall and the Town Center Art Space at Westfield Valencia
has closed, but please look out for future opportunities to have Town Center, to name a few. This year, our galleries centered on themes
your work included.
varying from donuts, ‘80s pop culture and Native American masks! The full
gamut of art mediums were also on display, including photographs, woven
Also on the horizon are a mural at the Santa Clarita Skate Park, art, encaustic paintings, upcycled pieces, mosaic art and much more.
an interactive sculpture at Fair Oaks Park in Canyon Country
and a permanent public art installation at the future
Canyon Country Community Center.

If you would like to experience all the public art Santa Clarita
has to offer, please download our Santa Clarita Public Art App
at scpublicart.com.

Sincerely,
Ken Striplin
City Manager

kstriplin@santa-clarita.com