PARTNERS - PRESS RELEASE

THE SCOTT VALLEY THEATRE COMPANY AND THE MARBLE RIM GALLERY ARE NOW PARTNERS IN THE ARTS

        Sharing similar missions and common artistic goals made a formal affiliation agreement between the Scott Valley Theatre Company, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization,and the Marble Rim Gallery, a community artists’ cooperative, a perfectly logical choice. Members of the Scott Valley Theatre Company and the Marble Rim Gallery will now work together as “partners in the arts”, to encourage and promote performing and visual arts in Scott Valley. By virtue of this formal affiliation, the Marble Rim Gallery will operate under the non-profit umbrella of the Scott Valley Theatre Company.

    The Scott Valley Theatre Company (“SVTC”) was formed in 1980, and incorporated as a non-profit charitable organization in April of 1996. The general purpose and goals of the SVTC include:

        (1) Furthering cultural expression by encouraging community members to actively participate in a wide variety of theatre arts, including theatrical productions, art shows, literary events, performing arts,

            and educational programs, and workshops;        

        (2) Sponsoring special events involving the public performance of such art forms by local theatre arts groups;

        (3) Directly engaging in, and providing facilities for others to engage in, the promotion of the arts; and

         (4) Preserving, maintaining, and enhancing the Avery Memorial Theatre as a multi-purpose auditorium.

       The SVTC leases the historic Avery Memorial Theatre from the City of Etna. The Avery was constructed in 1957. This 330-seat facility required substantial renovation and modification to be used as a multi-purpose auditorium. The initial formation of the SVTC and necessary upgrades to the Avery Memorial Theatre were made possible through fundraisers, local business and community monetary and labor donations, and grant funds. Upgrades to the Avery include construction of a 32’ by 22’ stage, re-upholstery of all seats (with individual donors’ names affixed to each seat), conversion of a back-stage storage area to a dressing room, conversion of an upstairs storage room to a prop and costume room, conversion of the old projector room into a sound and light control booth, partial upgrade of the building’s electrical system, installation of a motorized stage curtain with matching valances, purchase of a basic sound system, and the installation of a basic stage lighting system.

        After these upgrades were completed, the SVTC board members worked tirelessly to organize, promote, and sponsor a wide variety of performing theatre art events which have been appreciated and enjoyed by everyone in the community. Thanks to the SVTC’s efforts, the beautiful Avery Memorial Theatre is now used by local school, drama, and music groups as well as outside choirs, bands, speakers and educators. Current SVTC board members include: Rick Anderson, President; Sophia Spontylides, Secretary; and Greg Lindholm, Treasurer. The SVTC board is seeking additional board members to assist with the organization and promotion of the many artistic events held at the Avery Memorial Theatre.

        The formal affiliation between the Scott Valley Theatre Group and the Marble Rim Gallery will be beneficial to local performing and visual artists alike because of their parallel goals. The Marble Rim Gallery (“Gallery”) artists’ cooperative grew out of the Scott Valley Creative Arts Guild, which was established in April of 1991. Similar to the SVTC, the mission of the members of the Marble Rim Gallery is to promote awareness, appreciation, and a passion in our community for all types of artistic endeavors by providing a gallery and other public events for local artists to exhibit and sell their artistic creations. The gallery is located at 11835 Main Street in Fort Jones. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. [Insert website info] The Marble Rim Gallery is also a place for teachers to share their skills, and a center for artists to conduct classes and workshops in drawing, water color painting, pine needles basketry, and gourd art.

        The Gallery currently has twelve members in its cooperative group. The members work together to sponsor annual and monthly artistic events. Gallery-sponsored events include the Scott Valley Artisans’ Street Fair in May, the Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair in December, and monthly First Friday Open House receptions which feature art by local high school students and other artists, music by local musicians, and poetry readings. These events encourage artistic diversification and the cultivation of new and upcoming local artists. Gallery members also assist in a number of community service organizations through sponsorship and/or through artistic donations for fundraisers by groups such as Madrone Hospice, Fort Jones Rotary, local libraries, FFA, Cattlewomen, and the Farm Bureau.

        As a result of its formal affiliation with the Scott Valley Theatre Group, members of the Marble Rim Gallery will actively promote and assist with the production of events at the Avery Memorial Theatre with the goal of encouraging even more community involvement with both performing and visual artistic endeavors in Scott Valley.