FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 6, 2006

Joe Wills
Tel: 530-898-4143

Panel to Discuss Future of Arts in Chico

Is Chico going to become a well-known arts-oriented city that attracts tourists, artists, students and prospective residents? Will some arts be accentuated and others left behind? The value of the arts and their role in Chico's future will be the topic at a special panel discussion Monday, April 17, on the California State University, Chico campus.

The event will take place at 7:30 pm in Ruth Rowland-Taylor Hall, PAC 134, not Harlen Adams Theatre as previously advertised. It is free and open to the public. The event is part of CSU, Chico's 2006 Founders Week, which runs from April 15-23.

Members of the panel will be Sarah Blackstone, dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts; Pat Collentine, Chico-based artist and art instructor; Mary Gardner, art projects coordinator for the City of Chico; Phil Ruttenburg, co-founder, Chico Cabaret; and Greg Strong, co-owner, Chico Paper Company. CSU, Chico President Paul Zingg will be moderator for the discussion.

The area's reputation as an arts town was given a boost by a number 10 ranking in the book "The 100 Best Art Towns in America," by John Villani. Chico arts have received notice in USA Today, Sunset Magazine and other national publications.

"While we have this growing reputation, to some extent our different arts-music, theatre, and others-are discrete," said Blackstone. "It's important we have a conversation about the whole, and how we might be able to leverage our reputation by being more aware of each other's efforts."

Blackstone said the panel discussion will cover varying visions of how Chico can enhance its arts scene as well as opinions on the importance of the arts in people's lives.

Sarah Blackstone has been dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts for five years. Prior to coming to CSU, Chico as theatre arts chair, she spent 10 years on the Department of Theatre faculty of Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. She earned her PhD at Northwestern University in theatre history and is a popular entertainment scholar.

Pat Collentine works in diverse art forms including glass and photography and has had exhibitions internationally as well as locally in Chico. He has taught art at CSU, Chico as well as other schools and is a former member of the city Arts Commission. He and his partner, Susan Larsen, created the "Dancing Trout Fountain" by City Council Chambers and host a show discussing contemporary art on Chico's KZFR radio station.

Mary Gardner, art projects coordinator for the city, got involved in the arts in Chico soon after her arrival at CSU, Chico in 1980. Before being hired by the city in 1997, she participated in the founding of the 1078 Gallery, Shakespeare in the Park and the "Annies" awards, and was a long-time member of the Arts Commission. Currently as art projects coordinator, she oversees public arts projects, arts funding and arts promotion for the city. She is also co-owner of Café Flo in Chico.

Phil Ruttenburg had been involved in Chico's theatrical community for more than 20 years prior to forming Chico Cabaret with his wife, Sue. Ruttenburg is a licensed therapist and also founded A Theatre On The Inside-Out, a performing youth group that has dedicated itself to writing and performing original plays based on the personal experiences of participating teens. A Theatre On The Inside Out has performed in schools and workshops from Sacramento to Redding. Ruttenburg also works as a full-time clinician for Butte County Day Treatment Program, serving children and their families with emotional issues. He incorporates drama therapy into his daily work.

Greg Strong owns Chico Paper Company along with his wife, Jana. Strong is a CSU, Chico graduate and has worked as a picture framer in Chico for 15 years. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the 1078 Gallery in Chico. Chico Paper donates arts supplies to area schools and exhibits art year-round for more than 30 visual artists.

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