New GCAC Website and Blog!

Grand Central Art Center is excited to announce its newly designed website with blog, now online!

We invite you to visit:
http://www.grandcentralartcenter.com/

Wonderful Day of Celebration @ GCAC

Yesterday, Grand Central Art Center hosted an event celebrating Pakistan Independence Day, organized by artists-in-residence Heather Layton and Brian Bailey, part of their current year long project 59 Days of Independence. They are here in residency through the generous funding support of the GCAC artist-in-residency program provided by a grant from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

The day including a “Malala Trilingual Book Reading for Kids,” with children’s stories of Pakistani-American and Mexican-American culture read in Spanish, Urdu and English, with projections of the illustrations.

Recent Orange County School for the Arts student Miguel Pulido (Class of 2014, beginning Pitzer College this fall) helped to organize the activities, as well as participated in the reading and performed on guitar. His contributions to the event brought a joyful spirit and energy through music.

The afternoon provided an opportunity to view an assortment of craft objects that reflect the development of Pakistani visual culture from traditional to contemporary. A hands-on activity table was set-up within the space, with both children and adults sharing their creative skills. Delicious traditional food for all in attendance was available from Noorani Halal Restaurant.

In addition to Heather, Brian and Miguel, Grand Central Art Center thanks the following individuals for making the celebration possible:
Ifra Khoso, Sheba Akhtar, Almas Asif, Farhan Aziz, Anila Ali, Monica Mouet, Pam Solorzano and the Irvine Pakistani Parents’ Association.

We concluded the day with a GCAC Dutch Treat Dinner at The Robbins Nest Wine Bar here in downtown Santa Ana. A great group of individuals, including CSUF grad students and faculty members, four current GCAC artists-in-residence, a curator and artist coming down for the night from Los Angeles and many of our creative collaborative community members, all joining us for the event. Thanks to Lisa Robbins and her wonderful team for allowing us to take over a big part of her restaurant for the evening of great conversations and connections!

We thank you all for your continued support of GCAC and look forward to having you join us for upcoming programs and receptions.

Wild Times Continue with Susan Robb @ GCAC!

If you’ve been to Grand Central Art Center over the past few months, then you know just how “wild” it’s been, following artist Susan Robb on her journey to conquer the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) through her Wild Times project.

Susan began her trek in Campo, Mexico in April, recently passing the half way mark and today is making camp in Ashland, OR, on her way to the finishing mark of Manning BC, Canada.

You can follow her travel through the “transmissions” on the Wild Times website and by visiting GCAC to see the 2D, 3D and written transmissions in person.

More details on the project at GCAC can be found on our blog at:
https://grandcentralartcenter.wordpress.com/2014/04/23/susan-robb-wild-times-opening-reception-53-gcac/

Wild Times is a project of Creative Capital and is supported by Grand Central Art Center, Palm Springs Art Museum, 826 Valencia, Tacoma Art Museum, Frye Art Museum, and the Henry Art Gallery.

Generous in-kind support has been provided by MakerBot, Microsoft, Projecteo, Washington Trails Association, and Whole Foods Market.

We look forward to having you join us!

Update on Recordings of an Immigrant – A Project by Vincent Goudreau

We wanted to provide you with a little update on Vincent Goudreau, who was artist in residence at GCAC last fall. As you may recall, Vincent was here at GCAC working on the early development of his project Recordings of an Immigrant. The residency proved to be a very productive time, and the project continues to develop in positive ways.

A NEW SCROLLING WEBSITE was just placed online this week, so we thought we would share that link. (use the scroll bar on the right of your browser to navigate down the page).
http://recordingsofanimmigrant.com/

Recordings of an Immigrant is a non-fiction narrative, which inspired a multidisciplinary project including a book compiled from transcribed audio recordings. This is a survival story of Juan Aquino’s journey from the genocide of Guatemala to the courtrooms of the United States.

The project is supported through the artist in residence program of Grand Central Art Center, a unit of California State University, Fullerton’s College of the Arts, with funding support provided by an anonymous donor and from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

Vincent will be returning as artist in residence at GCAC from November through December to continue his work on the project, developing the last of the prints, as well as final edits and design of the publication.

We look forward to having you over to GCAC for a visit with Vincent!

Artists in Residence, Tacos and a Wedding – Another Typical Weekend @ GCAC

At Grand Central Art Center you never know what to expect, especially when you are an artist in residence. The only thing that is certain is fun activities and connecting with great people.

This past week we had Lisa Bielawa back in residence as we prepare for her major opera project Vireo, a project with her long-time collaborator librettist Erik Ehn. It was a week full of meetings with community leadership, potential collaborators, individuals from Cal State Fullerton and key members of our direct community.

We also continue to have in residence curator Regine Basha, here for the month of July working on projects and talking possibilities of future collaborations with GCAC through her Basha Projects initiative.

But it’s not all work around GCAC, we always find time to walk down to our favorite local tacoria and grab some lunch. Tacos provide a great way for our artists in residence and staff to connect further – just ask Lisa, Regine and GCAC Associate Director Tracey Gayer.

And what GCAC weekend would be complete without an event on our 2nd Street plaza? This weekend, Delilah Snell (our former GCAC tenant through her Road Less Traveled store, Co-Founder of Patchwork Modern Handmade Festival and Co-Founder of the Craftcation Conference for Creative Makers) and Gustavo Arellano (Editor of OC Weekly, Author of Taco USA, writer of the syndicated column “¡Ask a Mexican!”) celebrated their marriage with a reception on the plaza. Delilah and Gustavo sure know how to throw a party! It was, as they have called it “a street fiesta”, with a great mix of live bands, DJ’s including the world famous Richard Blade (formerly of KROQ and now on SiriusXM 1st Wave), great food and drink, and a wonderful gathering of the Santa Ana community. It also provided the opportunity for some dancing to classic 80s pop, allowing Lisa Bielawa to get in on the festivities and share some moves with GCAC’s Santa Ana Sites Co-Found Allen Moon – a fun time was had by all!

GCAC SENDS OUR CONGRATULATIONS TO DELILAH AND GUSTAVO – SUCH A LOVELY COUPLE! TO A LIFE TIME OF HAPPINESS!!!

Successful “Burial” of the Time Capsule!

Grand Central Art Center held a time capsule “burial” event and reception this past Saturday, July 12th, in association with artist Daniel Tucker’s GCAC artist in residence project Future Perfect: Time Capsules in Reagan Country.

Daniel was joined during the day by Los Angeles based filmmaker Emily Forman, who was there at the ceremony to help document the event and individual interviews, and GCAC Director John D. Spiak, who assisted with the “burial” of the capsule.

The artists overall project was inspired from a speech by former US President and then California State Governor, Ronald Reagan, as he was Addressing the Republican National Convention in 1976, encouraged individuals to look toward the future.

The ten year Santa Ana Time Capsule is a collaboration among the community, artist, GCAC and Santa Ana Public Library’s History Room, organized by Daniel and library archivist Manny Escamilla. Members of the community were encouraged to attend the event and contribute items to the time capsule they felt helps to answer the question “What is Santa Ana like in 2014?”

In Daniel’s research, he discovered that many time capsules are buried, and then become forgotten. In an attempt to prevent this from happening, instead of an actual burial, it was decided that the capsule would be hoisted in a more publically visible space of the Grand Central Art Center where it will remain for the next ten years. The capsule is secured with three individual locks, with the artist, library and GCAC in possession of the keys to an individual lock. In the year 2024, all three keys will be brought back together, the capsule will be lowered, each of the three locks removed by their responsible individual, and the contents revealed at a public ceremony.

We look forward to having you join us at GCAC in 2024 as we come together to celebrate the time capsule!

Daniel is in the process of editing a film documenting his research, process and travels during his GCAC artist-in-residence, as well as a publication with critical writing from multiple perspectives, so we will keep you posted as these develop.

Fostering Connections @ GCAC

Grand Central Art Center continues to be a place where great connections occur. Today, our current GCAC creative-in-residence, independent curator Regine Basha, met with our GCAC visitors Andrea Hanley, Membership and Programs Manager at the Museum of Contemporary Native Art, a center of the Institute of American Indian Arts, and artist Kade Twist, who is a member of the collective Postcommodity.

Andrea and Kade are visiting Southern California from Santa Fe, New Mexico, stopping by GCAC for a visit to discuss our artist-in-residence program, as Andrea is in the early stages of developing and programming MoCNA’s new Social Engagement Residency Program.

Over lunch and a meeting in the GCAC artist-in-residence studio space, Regine, Andrea and Kade were able to share documentation, discover mutual friends and colleagues, and exchange valuable resource knowledge.

We love that GCAC continues to foster such connections!

Time Capsule Ceremony on 7/12 @ 12noon – In association with Daniel Tucker’s Future Perfect

What’s happening in Santa Ana in 2014?

Time Capsule
To be sealed in a ceremony on July 12th, 2014 @ 12noon

Grand Central Art Center is collaborating with the Santa Ana Public Library’s History Room to “bury” a 10-year time capsule on July 12th at 12pm. The ceremony will take place at Grand Central Art Center, in association with Daniel Tucker’s artists in residence project Future Perfect: Time Capsules in Reagan Country.

Time capsules are like a little treasure chest that we send off for future generations to enjoy. They can help future generations understand questions like: Who lived here? What were they doing? What was important to them?. The time capsule will be buried at the GCAC for 10 years and then replaced with another capsule after it is opened.

Initiated as part of the Grand Central Art Center artist in residence program by Daniel Tucker, in collaboration with the Teen Historians program and Manuel J. Escamilla.

The time capsule is to be opened on July 13th, 2024.

The chest will be secured with three locks. Opening will require three keys, one housed at the Santa Ana Public Library, one at GCAC and another in the hands of artist Daniel Tucker.

We look forward to having you join us!

Andy Warhol Foundation Awards GCAC $100,000

Grant to support Grand Central Art Center
Artist-in-Residence Program

Santa Ana, California, July 1, 2014 – Cal State Fullerton’s Grand Central Art Center has been awarded a $100,000 grant (over two years) from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts to support its artist-in-residence program.

“It is an honor for Grand Central Art Center to receive funding support from this important foundation that continues to focus its resources on forward-thinking institutions, initiatives and artists,” said GCAC’s Director and Chief Curator, John D. Spiak.

The Warhol Foundation’s grant making activity is focused on serving the needs of artists by funding the institutions that support them. Grants are made for scholarly exhibitions at museums; curatorial research; visual arts programming at artist-centered organizations; artist residencies and commissions; arts writing; and efforts to promote the health, welfare and first amendment rights of artists.

GCAC’s artist-in-residence program is artist driven, with a focus on discovery, creative process and relationships through collaborative and socially engaged practices. “The generosity of The Andy Warhol Foundation’s financial support provides the opportunity for the Grand Central Art Center to continue forward momentum for the artist-in-residence program, empowering artists to realize their visions,” Spiak said.

Residency lengths are determined on a project-by-project basis. GCAC residencies to date have lasted from three weeks to longer than a year, including the ongoing project by Cog•nate Collective (Amy Sanchez and Misael Diaz) currently moving into year two. Residencies are not required to occur on-site, but provide the openness and opportunity for projects to be realized at off-site locations throughout the community, region and beyond.

GCAC presently is partnering with Social Practices Art Network (SPAN) on a new podcast series. Carol A. Stakenas, SPAN curator, will be interviewing artists and collectives that are participating in GCAC’s artist-in-residency program, with numerous conversations from the time artists are invited through the completion of their residency. This project is dedicated to capturing and cultivating creative voices in the field to deepen critical understanding and share methodologies.

Artists confirmed to realize projects through an artist-in-residence with Grand Central Art Center include: Lisa Bielawa, Paul Ramirez Jonas, Aida Šehović, Joseph Delappe, and Vincent Goudreau.

Presently in residence/exhibition, through her Wild Times off-site journey on the Pacific Crest Trail, is artist Susan Robb. Upcoming artist-in-residence event activities include: Daniel Tucker‘s ongoing project Future Perfect: Times Capsules in Reagan Country, returning July 11-13 to present a time capsule ceremony in collaboration with the Teen Program of the Santa Ana Public Library; Heather Layton and Brian Bailey’s ongoing project 59 Days of Independence, returning August 8-17 to present a project in collaboration with students from Orange County School of the Arts, Orange County Pakistani Parents Association, and youth in Pakistan via Skype – with materials presented in Spanish, English, and Urdu.

About Grand Central Art Center
Established in 1999 as a joint venture with the City of Santa Ana, Grand Central Art Center, a unit of California State University at Fullerton’s College of the Arts, is dedicated to the investigation and promotion of contemporary art and visual culture: regionally, nationally, and internationally through unique collaborations among artists, students and the community.

The Grand Central Art Center Artist-in-Residence program provides a dedicated apartment and studio to creative individuals through the invitation of the center’s director/curatorial team. The current emphasis of the residency program focuses on artists working in social engaged practices. GCAC residencies provide time and space away from one’s normal work environment and community, creating the opportunity for expanded collaboration, exchange, growth, resources, knowledge and discovery.

MORE INFORMATION ON GRAND CENTRAL ART CENTER CAN BE FOUND AT GRANDCENTRALARTCENTER.WORDPRESS.COM

Halle Berry, Steven Spielberg, Mickey Fisher and GCAC!

It seems like only a short time ago, Mickey Fisher was living here at Grand Central Art Center, with his partner CSUF student Julie Cardia, who graduated this May with her MFA Theatre Arts in Acting. As a filmmaker, writer and director, Mickey lent us his talents, working with two of our GCAC artists-in-residence to create short documentary films on their projects.

The first documentary short film was created in July of 2012, with artist Adam Moser. Through his project, Moser attempted to realize his lifelong dream of playing in the big leagues by trying out for Major League Baseball (MLB). Recognizing he was not alone in this dream, Moser invited individuals from Grand Central Art Center’s Downtown Santa Ana community to join him, forming a 9-member tryout team, the Cut-Off Men.

In June of 2013, Mickey worked with GCAC once again, this time with artist Carmen Papalia, creating a short documentary on the artists walking performance Mobility Device. Papalia started using a white cane when he began to lose his vision nearly ten years ago. For one day, through his performance piece, he replaced his cane with The Great Centurion Marching Band of Century High School, Santa Ana.

Wait, what are we talking about? It has only been a short time since they both lived here, as Julie and Mickey moved out of their GCAC apartment in April, just two months ago, but so much has happened.

This is where we get to the Halle Berry and Steven Spielberg connection…

Last year, while living at GCAC, Mickey entered his script for EXTANT into the TrackingB TV Pilot Contest. The script made it to a finalist slot in the competition, where it caught the eye of a individual involved in the review process. This individual championed the work. Long story short, the script was picked up by Steve Spielberg and his Amblin TV, then pitched to CBS, who orders 13-episodes straight to series.

If that was the end of the story, it would be amazing in itself, but it’s not. Apparently, Halle Berry got wind of the script and expressed interest. She is quoted as saying, “I’m always on the lookout for amazing roles and when you see material that contains this strong of auspices, nuance and complexity it compels me to run toward it no matter the medium.” Yes, Berry landed the lead role, along side actor Goran Visnjic (from ER fame), and Pierce Gagnon.

So get ready, as EXTANT premieres on CBS June 9, 9pm/8central here in the US. For our friends in the UK, you can watch it on July 10 through Amazon Prime Instant Video, which nabbed exclusive UK rights.

Want to read more about Mickey Fishers amazing journey this past year? You can check it out in this <a href="Variety article.

http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/extant-how-a-contest-led-creator-mickey-fisher-to-spielberg-1201254597/

Much continued success to Mickey and Julie, thank you for all your contributions to GCAC during your time living with us. Come back and visit often, WE MISS YOU!