“POINTS OF INTEREST” by Rhyena Halpern, Executive Director
“CHAIR’S VIEW” by Dan Gorfain, Commission Chair
SMAC HIGHLIGHT—Creative Aging Series Addresses New Research About Aging and the Arts
SMAC IN YOUR COMMUNITY--Thirteen Public Artworks Installed Throughout Sacramento City and County
ARTS STABILIZATION BUDGET APPROVED – Microgrant Program to Re-Open
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES—Check These Out!

It’s been a very busy start to a new season at the Sacramento Metropolitan 
Arts Commission (SMAC). While we endured continued cutbacks in our funding, we 
are still able to move forward with our long planned marketing campaign: ARTS. 
OPEN DAILY.  Perhaps you’ve seen a billboard, J Street banner, bus side or 
print ad?  Or heard a radio promo?  The message is simple and one that can be 
understood by all—the arts are open for business!  All our ads include our 
website, www.sacramento365.com, the place to find out what is going on in our 
region.

To compliment our marketing efforts, SMAC also presented exciting, community 
events in September, including an edible walking tour entitled “Eat Your Art 
Out” which  took place in the mid-and-downtown areas September 26; a Plein Air 
Mural Exhibit on September 12 on Franklin Blvd. (2nd Saturday) and the Capital 
Artist’s Studio Tour (CAST) on September 12 & 13.  

We also opened new public art installations and exhibitions, new arts 
education and stabilization programming, as you will read about below.  I hope 
you will have an opportunity to check out our new Face book page (look for 
Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission).  We also are on Twitter and have a 
new site that allows for arts giving. 
www.sites.google.com/site/friendsofsacmetroarts .

These are challenging times, but with the support of local government, grants, 
public private partnerships, and the enthusiasm of the Mayor’s Arts Initiative 
program, the arts community and Sacramentans, we will not only survive but 
yes, even thrive.

Warm Regards, 
Rhyena Halpern

The last couple of months have been challenging.  Much time and effort was 
spent trying to minimize the County’s budget reductions in the face of their 
extensive revenue shortfall.  Our thanks to Supervisors Roger Dickinson, Don 
Nottoli and Jimmie Yee, who supported us all the way, and especially to 
Supervisor Dickinson for adding $7,500 upon staff recommendation.  Extra 
special thanks go to all our supporters who wrote the Board, and to the 45 of 
you who showed up to testify at the budget hearing.  When all was said and 
done, we wound up with $309,000, down from $885,000 in October 2009.  As a 
result, we will be trimming our grant and education programs significantly.
 
On a more cheerful note, the Commission welcomed two new City appointed 
Commissioners: Allison Joe is a native Sacramentan and a member of our former 
Arts Education Committee; and Cheryl Holben is Board member of the Center for 
Contemporary Art and an interior designer.  We look forward to working with 
both Allison and Cheryl in the months and years to come.
 
Sincerely, 
Dan Gorfain

Research shows that brain cells continue to develop throughout the lifespan 
when new skills are explored through artistic avenues*. A new program that 
speaks to this phenomenon is the Creativity Matters series presented by the 
Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission and the Sacramento Department of Parks 
& Recreation, Older Adult Services. 

The series includes an interactive educational performance and workshops in 
many arts disciplines, all free to adults 50 or better. It launches in October 
and will continue to add new programming over the next year. The goal is to 
expand the types of artistic activities older adults are engaged in, thereby 
contributing to better physical and mental health and more fulfilling senior 
years.  The program has been in the developmental stages for over a year as a 
joint effort of the two Sacramento City Departments.  

For more information of the Creative Aging Revue performance locations and 
times or the new workshops scheduled for October and November please log onto 
www.sacmetroarts.org/other-programs-and-resources.html.

*Partially extracted from a Washington Post article by Beth Baker; Special to 
The Washington Post Tuesday, March 11, 2008; Page HE01.  Information taken 
from the National Center for Creative Aging website.  “Neuroscientists 
unaffiliated with Cohen's study are exploring evidence that challenging mental 
activity such as artistic expression stimulates the growth of new brain cells 
in the cerebral cortex. Even as we age, said Roberto Cabeza, an associate 
professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University, the creation of 
these new neuron networks continues.”

The Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission is pleased to announce the 
completion of 13 public artworks throughout the City and County of Sacramento. 
The new artwork is located at several community centers, parks and libraries 
around Sacramento.
The new additions to the County and City Art in Public Places collection 
include a stained glass window at George Sim Community Center plus sculptures, 
copper wall hangings, site-specific installations, benches and more. 
Please enjoy a self-guided tour using the information below, or arrange a 
group tour of the new artworks by contacting the Art in Public Places Program 
at 916-566-3977. 

Valley Hi-North Laguna Library, 7400 Imagination Parkway, Sacramento
	Charlotte Cooper, “The Inheritors”, copper wall hangings, (Adult 
Reading Room) 
	Cliff Garten,  “Mad Hatter”, stainless steel rod and mahogany bench 
(outside, near entry) (pictured)
	Stephanie Taylor, “Migration”, mixed media installation (interior, 
Children’s Reading Tower)

George Sim Community Center, 6207 Logan Street, Sacramento 
	Seyed Alavi, “Room for Hope”, painted steel sculpture, (exterior, 
south entrance,  near the pool) (pictured)
	Elizabeth Devereaux, “Tapestry”, stained glass, (main entrance lobby)
	Patricia Carrillo, “Garden of Life”, acrylic mural, (exterior, near 
east entrance, between main bldg & gym)

Magnolia Park, 251 Greg Thatch Circle, Sacramento
	Colin Lambert, “Island for Peace”, Ferro-cement sculpture (near play 
structure)

Fisherman’s Lake Parkway, Natomas Central Drive and Po River Way, 
Sacramento 
	Richard Feese, Untitled, colored concrete paving treatments 
(throughout parkway)

Freemont Community Garden, 1401 Q Street, Sacramento
	Patrick Collentine and Susan Larsen, “Wanderers in a Riparian Garden” 
steel and glass gazebo (near northeast gate to garden)

Reichmuth Park, 6135 Gloria Drive, Sacramento 
	Kurt Steger, “Emergence”, steel sculpture, (West side of park, visible 
from Gloria Dr.)

Sacramento County Animal Care, 3839 Bradshaw, Sacramento
	Dayton Claudio, “Raincatcher”, stainless steel and molded resin 
sculpture, (interior courtyard)
	Dayton Claudio, “Broken Circle”, stainless steel sculpture (front 
entrance) 
	Lisa Deinz, “Honor the Animal, Honor Ourselves, Honor the Environment” 
painted steel, (surrounding  Dog Park and visible from Bradshaw )

Sacramento County Youth Detention Center, 4236 Branch Center Road (near 
Keifer), Sacramento  
	Jennifer Madden and Jeffery Reed, untitled work, cast concrete, 
concrete, and brushed stainless steel installation (outside at entry)

The Arts Stabilization program, which includes several grant programs aimed at 
increasing the strength and viability of arts organizations and individual 
artists, was closed at the conclusion of the 2009 cycle until the budget could 
be finalized for the 2010 cycle.  The funding was approved and SMAC will be re-
opening its Arts Stabilization Program. 

In the coming weeks, artists, arts groups, and organizations can look forward 
to the re-opening of the Microgrant program. The program offers small grants 
to individual artists, arts groups and organizations, and is SMAC’s most 
versatile grant with broad award categories. Please check www.SacMetroArts.org 
for more information.  The application will become available at 
www.smacgrants.org.

LOG ON TODAY--The Crocker Museum would like your input! 
Please take a few minutes to answer some questions and for a chance to win a 
$100 amazon.com gift certificate for participating! 
http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/181181/smac-cultural-use-survey 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR--Thought about a Masters in Arts Management? 
Learn more about the only M.A in Arts Management program available in 
California!
Claremont Graduate University invites you to a brown bag lunch at the 
Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission, 2030 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento 
on Tuesday, November 10, 2009, 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.  
RSVP to diana.luna@cgu.edu or call 909.607.9109.  Visit www.cgu.edu/am 

FOR ALL ARTISTS--The Sacramento Kings’ Call For Art! 
Open to all artists working in any 2D media on a large scale. Artists will be 
paid for their time and materials.  Create a thumbnail of your Kings 
basketball inspired art and submit to vaughan@arcoarena.com Deadline for 
Submission: October 15, 2009.  (All art will become the property of the 
Sacramento Kings upon completion of project.)

SIGN-UP TODAY--Arts Classes in Del Paso Heights
SMAC and the Mutual Assistance Network of Del Paso Heights have launched a 
series of free arts classes taught by local teaching artists in ceramics, 
spoken word/creative writing, and West African dance.  The classes are being 
held in the North Sacramento Area.  All ages are welcome to participate.  
Classes are free, but you must sign up to participate.  For more information 
and to sign up, contact Cha Vang at 916-927-7694 x143.