The City of Whittier
believes that it is important to have public art that is exceptional
and enhances the beauty of the community. This is important because
it will increase the understanding and enjoyment of public art
by Whittier residents. In an effort to successfully pool the resources
of the various cultural arts organizations in our City, the City
of Whittier Cultural Arts Commission
formed the Community Arts Coalition in June 2001. The main goal
of the group was to create a forum, under the umbrella of the
Commission, for these arts groups to meet and get to know each
other. exchange ideas and provide mutual assistance in perpetuating
the arts in our Community.
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Thus far, the Coalition, made up
of 13 local organizations, has met to tackle issues such as networking,
promoting events via the internet, reaching out to minority groups,
publicity and marketing, creating a master calendar and exploring
cultural arts programs in nearby cities. Guest speakers have included
Victor Ledesma of the Whittier Latino Coalition, Pete Gomez of
the Hispanic Outreach Taskforce, Bill Bell of the Daily News,
Alex Moisa of Friends of Pio Pico and Annette Johnson of the City
of Pico Rivera.
Chorale Bel Canto (www.choralebelcanto.org)
Chorale Bel Canto is a community-based masterworks chorale whose
mission is to present quality musical programming for the cultural
benefit of the community as well as to provide a demanding and
satisfying artistic outlet for qualified singers.
Hillcrest Festival of Fine
Arts
The Annual Hillcrest Festival of Fine Arts showcases the arts
on the last weekend in February. The festival is located at 2000
West Road in La Habra Heights, near the border of Whittier and
La Habra Heights. Admission and parking are free. Hours are 10:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. to 5:00
p.m. Sunday. Talented artists from Southern California exhibit
and sell an extensive variety of art, including watercolor, mixed
media, and oil paintings, pottery, jewelry, ceramics, hand-woven
clothing, stained glass, blown glass, sculptures, and photography.
During the 3-day event, many artists will also be demonstrating
their skills. In addition, the festival offers children’s
art workshops, musical entertainment, the popular Arts & Crafts
Boutique, and the Starving Artist Café. The first festival,
held in 1961, was created as a free community service outreach
project providing a high quality festival celebrating all the
arts. It has grown over the years through the hard work of church
volunteers and friends who contribute thousands of hours in organizing,
coordinating, and hosting the weekend event.
New Century Singers
A 40 voice women’s chorus, one in the state-wide California
Women’s Chorus, Inc. organization, is open to women of all
ages in the Greater Whittier Area who enjoy singing and performing
popular show tunes, old standards, classical and religious music,
with no auditions required. Rehearsals, under the direction of Judy
Kertes, are on Wednesday mornings or Sunday evenings.
Rio Hondo Symphony
(http://www.riohondosymphony.org)
Four special Guest Conductors will lead the Rio Hondo Symphony
during its exciting 76th season of four
ADMISSION-FREE concerts at 3 p.m. Sundays at the Vic Lopez
Auditorium at Whittier High School. The “Symphonic
Landscapes” concert September 28, 2008, will be conducted by
Brian Asher Alhedeff. “Those Romantic Germans” set for November
2, 2008, will be conducted by Hector Salazar. “An American
Rhapsody” will be conducted by Kimo Furumoto March 1, 2009, and
the “76th Finale” May 3, 2009, will be conducted by
Olivia Tsui. For more details call 562.698.8626 or visit our
web site.
Shannon Center for the Performing
Arts (www.shannoncenter.org)
The mission of the Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts
is two-fold. First, to provide the highest quality, service oriented,
large-group meeting and entertainment facility with full support
services to Whittier College students, faculty, staff and administration.
Secondly, the Shannon Center serves as the most visible gateway
to Whittier College campus for the general public, and as such
strives to provide the highest quality programming in a variety
of styles to attract and satisfy a culturally diverse population
with an eye toward enhancing the image, visibility and viability
of the College.
Whittier Art Gallery &
Association (www.whittierartgallery.org)
The Whittier Art Gallery has a unique collection of works by local
artists, who are professionals, amateurs and students of all ages.
We feature exhibitions and jurored competitions in a variety of
media’s including oil, watercolor and acrylic paintings,
as well as drawings, sculpture and jewelry. The Gallery is available
to rent for both members and non-members on an occasional or monthly
basis. Regular monthly meetings are held the second Monday of
each month, September through June. Meetings begin at 7:30 with
a program featuring a guest artist. Refreshments are served and
the public is always welcome. We also offer summer art classes
for children. Whittier Art Association membership is available.
Whittier Choralaires
(www.choralaires.org)
The Whittier Chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement
of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America, Inc. is a fraternity
of male singers of all ages who share the desire of communicating
the love and joy of the musical style know as barbershop harmony.
The Whittier Chapter will provide for its members a positive environment
which embraces the Society mission and vision, and maintains as
its primary goal the production of outstanding Barbershop performances
built from a foundation of musical excellence in the Barbershop
art form.
Whittier Community Theatre (www.whittiercommunitytheatre.com)
The Whittier Community Theatre was formed in 1922 and has been
in continuous operation for 81 years - making them the oldest
non-profit theatre west of the Mississippi! Their mission is to
provide outlets for local talents with opportunities for learning
development and performing before live audiences; to provide development
of production and artistic skills for local directors and producers;
and to provide quality live theatre at nominal prices for our
audiences.
Whittier Cultural Arts Foundation
(WCAF)
The Whittier Cultural Arts Foundation is the non-profit fundraising
arm of the Cultural Arts Commission created to advocate and support
the availability and accessibility of the visual and performing
arts to the greater Whittier community. Founded in 1991, the Foundation
raises funds (1) to incorporate the arts in all public and private
sectors, (2) to provide a network of support and supporters for
the arts, (3) to encourage and assist schools in making the arts
a part of every student’s experience, (4) to promote growth
in the arts through increased community involvement and support,
and (5) to appreciate the arts and nurture the artists. The Foundation
raises monies largely from membership dues, grants and fundraisers.
Everyone is welcome to become a member.
Whittier Historical Society
(www.whittiermuseum.org)
The Whittier Historical Society has designated the following as
its mission:
- Discover, collect, preserve, and display objects, documents,
photographs, literary or artistic works, and other articles
or materials which may establish or illustrate the history of
Whittier, the Whittier area, and the State of California.
- Maintain the Whittier Museum and the Museum's Collections
for the education and enjoyment of the general public, as well
as for research.
Supervise the operation and maintenance of the Bailey House in
conjunction with the City of Whittier.
- Educate the community in preserving structures and sites in
the Whittier area having historical significance.
- Publish and disseminate information to promote appreciation
and enjoyment of the above by the widest possible number of
residents of the Whittier area and its environs.
Whittier Rose Parade Float Committee (www.whittierrosefloat.com)
Whittier sponsored a float for the 2005 Pasadena Tournament of
Roses Parade. The Committee encouraged citizens to join them and
neighboring businesses in supporting the float, designed by local
artist Raul Rodriguez and Larry Crain.
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