Dear Culture Enthusiasts,
In the past few months we took a look at how arts are emerging anew as we learn how to navigate the uncertainty of the ups and downs of the pandemic, and to find a balance between safety and in-person gathering.
Mariah Nielson on JB Blunk and the new Blunk Space in Point Reyes. JB Blunk was a prolific multidimensional artist based in Lagunitas, now promoted worldwide by his daughter, curator, and local Bay Area resident Mariah Nielson. Curator Jennifer Wechsler recently sat down with Nielson to discuss her recent work archiving, publishing, and exhibiting Blunk’s work.
Continuing Forward: The Mountain Play and Marin Shakespeare Company. During the pandemic, Cushing Memorial Amphitheater didn’t host a Mountain Play production, and Forest Meadows Amphitheater did not have performances by Marin Shakespeare Company. Don’t panic. These organizations weren’t lost to COVID-19. Instead, Marin’s beloved summer theater companies are up to some exciting things.
Students Reaching for Their Dreams Thanks to Equity in Arts Education. High school seniors start college applications this Fall. One from San Rafael’s Canal neighborhood is reaching for some top colleges. Jane Kramer, of Enriching Lives Through Music, thinks she’ll succeed at her dreams. Like ELM, Youth in Arts has seen students blossom from the arts when any subject integrates visual arts, drama, dance, and music.
We also published the first of a series of overviews of different arts communities around the county, beginning with the vital and varied Mill Valley:
48 (Culturally-Rich) Hours in Mill Valley, California. Whether you are a Marin local, a first-time visitor, or a San Franciscan looking for new cultural horizons, there are many reasons to seek out the arts in the small, upscale little town of Mill Valley.
We welcome your ideas for stories of special interest to arts lovers in Marin: share your ideas by emailing editor@marinarts.org.
Regards,
Pamela