22/23 Lesher Center Annual Report

22/23 ANNUAL REPORT Presented to the Arts Commission October 23, 2023

22/23 Annual Report Lesher Center for the Arts Bedford Gallery, Center REP

This report reflects on activities at the Lesher Center, including Bedford Gallery and Center Repertory Company programs, for the 22/23 season (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023).

Lesher Center Highlights This season, the Lesher Center continued to expand offerings in line with our strategic plan and mission: To drive excellence, innovation, and diversity in the arts through performances, exhibitions and educational programming that establish the Lesher Center as the artistic destination for everyone in Walnut Creek and the region.

New programs included the inaugural Fiesta Cultural, a week-long celebration of Latin American art and culture.

Our programs saw significant increases in attendance as the Lesher Center moves closer to pre-pandemic levels of programming.

Fiesta Cultural Street Fair, photo by Ben Krantz Studio.

Season

Total Tickets Issued

Total Events

Bedford Gallery Attendance

22/23

131,709

467

17,566

21/22

92,758

355

8,741

20/21

3,695

50

1,370

19/20

160,725*

500

10,300

18/19

187,559

854

25,672

*Reflects total tickets issued for 19/20 before COVID-19 cancellations and refunds.

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Cover images, left to right from top: Erin Fong, Friendship Phoneline (green), photo courtesy of Shaun Roberts; Center REP’s production of Red Bike, photo by Kevin Berne; Dance Theatre of Harlem, photo by Rachel Neville; David “Hyde” Cho, of Local Edition Creative, Jiko-jitsugen, photo courtesy of James Brian Studios; Chika Di at Fiesta Cultural, photo by Ben Krantz Studio; Joel Daniel Phillips, The Girl Speaks: With Candace G. Wiley, photo courtesy of Ria Burman, Ben Krantz Studio; The Peking Acrobats featuring the Shanghai Circus; Center REP’s production of In the Heights, photo by Kevin Berne.

Lesher Center Presents Headliners Series In partnership with Diablo Regional Arts Association, the Lesher Center launched the Headliners Series in January 2022 and has since nurtured offerings into a robust season of events. Featuring world renowned artists, this new curated performance season is a core initiative of the Lesher Center's strategic plan and re-emergence from closure.

Total Tickets Issued

Percent of Capacity

Lyle Lovett & John Hiatt

744

95%

Canadian Brass

607

77%

Marshall Meyer Meyer Sutton

541

69%

The Peking Acrobats featuring the Shanghai Circus

742

95%

College Notes A Cappella*

1,396

89%

Dance Theatre of Harlem*

1,539

98%

Paul Taylor Dance Company

495

63%

Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra

614

78%

Gina Brillon

524

67%

Arturo Sandoval

648

83%

Las Cafeteras

516

66%

Mariachi Herencia de México

663

84%

Dianne Reeves

624

79%

TOTAL

9,653

82%

Artist

*Two performances of these events.

Images from top: Lyle Lovett; Paul Taylor Dance Company in RUSH HOUR by Larry Keigwin, photo by Whitney Browne; Dianne Reeves photo by Jerris Madison

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Bedford Gallery Exhibitions Attendance at Bedford Gallery exhibitions grew exponentially, in part due to the ability to host a full season of four exhibitions. Compared to 21/22, attendance in 22/23 more than doubled!

Exhibition

Erin Fong, The Color Corridor. Photo courtesy of Shaun Roberts.

Attendance

Ticket Sales

Cultural Currency: Contemporary Art from the Riemer Collection

2,105

$2,085

The Harmon & Harriet Kelley Collection of African American Art: Works on Paper

4,188

$2,430

Erin Fong | The Sensation of Color

5,499

$5,557

About Face

5,774

$3,015

22/23 Season Total

17,566

$13,087

Cultural Currency: Contemporary Art from the Riemer Collection June 30 – September 18, 2022

Artwork Credit: Enrique Chagoya, One Recession; Tim Prusmack, Two Dollar Bill; Maria Clemen, Construction; JSG Boggs, $1 Blue; Mark Wagner, Mr. Handshake’s Last Grasp, Fluctuation, and Zero Dollar Bill; Dan Tague, Pursuit of Happiness; Don and Era Farnsworth, Melting Dollar; Enrique Chagoya, One Billion Dollar Bill; Richard Newill, The Money Trap; Sonya Clark, Afro Abe II; Kim Testone, Painted $5.00 Bill. Photo courtesy of Shaun Roberts.

The Bedford’s summer exhibition, Cultural Currency: Contemporary Art from the Riemer Collection, explored the ways artists use money as a medium to expand its worth beyond its given denomination. As part of their artistic practice, each of the featured artists investigated preconceived definitions of monetary value, meticulously repurposing bills and coins into precise artworks. This universally relevant, humorous and often critical exhibition asked visitors to consider how the concept of currency can be reshaped into a multifaceted object steeped in meaning and intrigue.

The exhibition received press mentions and articles in Diablo Magazine, East Bay Times, KRON4, and Square Cylinder.

Participating Artists: Lou Beach, Alice Beasley, Ray Beldner, Barton Lidice Beneš, Stacey Blevins, JSG Boggs, Valerie Bunnell, Ginger Burrell, Christopher Carroll, Enrique Chagoya, David Channell, Diem Chau, Robin Clark, Sonya Clark, Maria Clemen, Rob Cohen, Seth Dickerman, Mary Ennes Davis, Reed Estabrook, Don + Era Farnsworth, Collette Fu, Steven Gagnon, Glenna Goodacre, Lisa Gralnick, Kathy Hall, Mireille Honein, Kelli Hoppmann, Jeffrey Kao, Mikhail Karasik, Lenny Kislin, Takashi Kawashima + Aaron Koblin, Lisa Kokin, Gyöngy Laky, Scott Laperruque, Marcella Lassen, Samantha Lautman, Srdjan Loncar, Jean Lowe, Don McCartney, Rene Megroz, Aerosyn-Lex Meštrović, Alejandro Monge, Richard Newill, Tim O’Neill, Francesca Pastine, Lorenzo Petrantoni, Tim Prusmack, Walter Robinson, Mike Rollins, Paul Rousso, Erica Schlueter, Azin Seraj, Dirk Setchko, Richard Sexton, Richard Shaw, Sharon Siskin, Justine Smith, Oliver Smith, Sally Smith, Oriane Stender, Jill Sylvia, Dan Tague, Kim Testone, Robert The, Peter + Donna Thomas, Vincent, Mark Wagner, Susan Warner, Stacey Lee Webber, Marshall Weber, C.K. Wilde, Eugene Zarczewski.

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The Harmon & Harriet Kelley Collection of African American Art: Works on Paper September 29 – December 18, 2022

Jacob Lawrence, Carpenters. Photo courtesy of Ria Burman, Ben Krantz Studio.

Participating Artists: Ron Adams, Benny Andrews, Romare Bearden, John Thomas Biggers, Robert Hamilton Blackburn, Grafton Tyler Brown, Elmer W. Brown, Calvin Burnett, Elizabeth Catlett, Claude Clark, Robert Colescott, Eldzier Cortor, Ernest T. Crichlow, Charles Criner, Mary Reed Daniel, Richard W. Dempsey, Aaron Douglas, William McKnight Farrow, Allan Randall Freelon, Rex Goreleigh, Margo Humphrey, William H. Johnson, Sargent Johnson, Lawrence Arthur Jones, Loïs Mailou Jones, Paul F. Keene, Jr., Jacob Lawrence, Norman Lewis, Lionel Lofton, Bert L. Long, Jr., Whitfield Lovell, Sam Middleton, Ike E. Morgan, William Pajaud, Alison Saar, Charles Louis Sallée, Jr., William Edouard Scott, Charles Sebree, Albert A. Smith, William E. Smith, Raymond Steth, Henry Ossawa Tanner, Margaret Taylor-Burroughs, Alma Woodsey Thomas, Dox Thrash, James Lesesne Wells, Charles White, Hilda Wilkinson Brown, Walter Williams, John Woodrow Wilson, and Hale Aspacio Woodruff.

Curated from the extensive collection of Harmon and Harriet Kelley, this exhibition highlighted sixty-five works on paper by African American artists spanning the late 19th through the early 21st century. From the first documented professional graphic artist on the west coast, Grafton Tyler Brown, to contemporary printmakers like Margo Humphrey, the exhibition celebrated African American artists and their tremendous contribution to American art and culture.

Drawings, etchings, watercolors, pastels, and color screen prints chronicled the lives of Black Americans through scenes of family and community, urban and rural workers, poverty and success, cultural pride and political turmoil. This exhibition was organized by Landau Traveling Exhibitions, Los Angeles, CA. The exhibition received press mentions and articles in Broadway World, Diablo Magazine (here and here), East Bay Times, Mercury News (here and here), Rossmore News, Square Cylinder, and Walnut Creek Magazine.

The Harmon & Harriet Kelley Collection of African American Art: Works on Paper at Bedford Gallery. Photos courtesy of Ria Burman, Ben Krantz Studio.

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Erin Fong | The Sensation of Color January 14 – April 2, 2023 Our world is saturated with colors that inform our day-to-day experience in subtle, unconscious ways. Through dedicated experimentation, Bay Area artist and letterpress printer Erin Fong explored this concept and how color affects our emotional responses. The gallery was transformed into a vibrant lab with the artist’s prints, paintings, and installations. The exhibition invited visitors to tap into their experience, both individually and collectively, as they were immersed in hues across the spectrum.

Erin Fong, The Friendship Project. Photo courtesy of Shaun Roberts.

The exhibition received press mentions and articles in Broadway World, Diablo Magazine (here and here), East Bay Times (here and here), Ground News, Lamorninda Arts Alliance, Mercury News, Modern Luxury, Rossmoor News, and SF/Arts.

About Face April 15 – June 25, 2023

Yoon Ji Seon, Rag Face #19003. Photo courtesy of Ria Burman, Ben Krantz Studio.

The practice of creating portraits dates back nearly 12,000 years to the Neolithic era. What began as plastered human skulls has evolved into paintings, photographs, and sculpture that not only capture the likeness of an individual, but also provide clues about the cultural and societal context in which the person lived. About Face, a juried and invitational exhibition, continued this fascinating tradition using a contemporary lens to speculate how future generations might perceive the way we value beauty, power, and ultimately what we hold culturally significant.

The exhibition received press mentions and articles in Diablo Magazine, East Bay Times (here, here, and here), East Bay Times – Walnut Creek Journal, Marin Independent Journal, Mirka Knaster Blog, San Francisco Chronicle, and San Francisco Magazine.

Participating Artists: Donna Anderson Kam, Charles Antolin, Claire Astrow*, Tamera Avery, Brandin Barón, Linda Belden, Angelique Benicio, Ashlie Benton, Robin L. Bernstein, Kim Brewer, Dennis Brown*, Donna Brown, Jamie Burnside, Carolina Caples, John Casey, Jane Cavala, Bora Choi, Susan Cole, Travis Collinson, Linda Craighead, Nimisha Doongarwal, Dance Doyle, Cheryl Drake, Katie Drum, Azma Elham, Beth Fein, Jane Fisher, Lisa Franklin, Carlos Gamez de Francisco, Bushra Gill, Carla Golder, Elizabeth Gorek, Julie Grantz, Jo Hamilton*, Monica Haro, Judy Hirabayashi, Russell Houlston, Lisa Jetonne, Kacy Jung, Soad Kader, Mary Kalin-Casey, Sherry Karver, Rebecca Keyes, TaVee McAllister Lee, Alma Leppla, JoAnn Lieberman, Jackie Liu, Madison Lloyd, Dottie Lo Bue, Jennifer Lugris, Peggy Magovern, Marbie*, James Woods Marshall, Katie McCann, Lisa McElroy, Derra McWilliams, Mary Mocas, Johansen Newman, Tracy Nickolaus, Daisy Patton, Vivian Patton, Burt Peng, Joel Daniel Phillips*, Jude Pittman, Roz Ritter, Mary Lou Grace Robison, David Rothman, Bill Samios, Victor Sanchez, Pallavi Sharma, Barbara Silverman, Ema H. Sintamarian, Robynn Smith, Tony Speirs, Marnie Spencer, Julianne Sterling, Wolfgang Stiller*, Melissa Stone, Ariel Strong, Jessamyn Sweet, Jonathan Valdivias, Brian Van Camerik, David Van Ness, Nicolas Vionnet, Chiachen Wang, Andy Warhol*, John Watson, Lin Wei, Ji Seon Yoon, Linda Yoshizawa, Dianne Yudelson.

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Center Repertory Company Center REP welcomes new Artistic Director Matt M. Morrow Center REP, the resident professional theatre company of the Lesher Center for the Arts, announced in May 2023 the appointment of Matt M. Morrow as its new Artistic Director following a nationwide search. Matt joined the company full time in August 2023.

Bringing more than 20 years of artistic, management, and production experience, Morrow is a visionary theatre professional and an advocate for diversity and inclusivity. He has directed numerous award-winning productions and was the inaugural recipient of the 2021 Larry Baza Arts & Culture Spirit of Stonewall Award for achievement in DEI and cultural contributions to the community of San Diego.

“I’m honored and overjoyed to be joining the incredible Center REP family and the East Bay community,” expressed Morrow. “The leader of an arts organization is first and foremost in service of the community in which they live and work. My goal as a theatre-maker is to bolster a diverse family of artists and arts lovers through the programming of ambitious work that entertains and provokes in equal measures. I believe a theatre should be more than a hub of great art, but also a meeting place where one can take part in a dynamic discussion about what it means to be alive at this very moment, and a home to connect with others who prioritize art, culture, and awareness.”

Matt M. Morrow, photo by Simpatika.

Subscription Renewals In line with national trends, Center REP saw a smaller set of subscribers for the 22/23 season compared to the 21/22 season. Many theatergoers are opting for single tickets to balance their interest in seeing theater with renewed interest in travel and other events.

18/19 Season

19/20 Season

21/22 Season

22/23 Season

Subscriber Seats

4,281

4,392

2,686

2,189

% renewed compared to prior year

93%

103%

61%

81%

Center REP’s production of A Christmas Carol, photo by Kevin Berne.

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Production History Center REP saw increasing attendance over the course of the season, with Clue and In the Heights being standout audience favorites.

The 2022 production of A Christmas Carol was exceeding pre-pandemic sales before ultimately closing early due to COVID-19 illness within the cast. Despite ongoing challenges resulting from the pandemic deeply affecting the theatre industry across the nation, Center REP remains in a strong position going into the 23/24 season.

Cristina Hernandez and the cast of Center REP's In the Heights; David Everett Moore and Eddie Ewell in Center REP’s SWEAT; the cast of Center REP’s Clue.

Photos by Kevin Berne.

18/19 Season

% Filled

19/20 Season

% Filled

Mamma Mia!

98%

Murder for Two

Dancing Lessons

59%

A Christmas Carol

21/22 Season

22/23 Season

% Filled

75%

Always...Patsy Cline

63%

Native Gardens

61%

Clue

89%

93%

A Christmas Carol

95%

A Christmas Carol

62%

A Christmas Carol*

63%

Communicating Doors

64%

The Devil's Music

74%

Our Town

58%

Red Bike

52%

The Diary of Anne Frank

80%

Pride and Prejudice

canceled

Murder on the Orient Express

canceled

SWEAT*

48%

Woody Sez

65%

In the Heights

rescheduled

BEEHIVE: The 60's Musical

60%

In the Heights

95%

*Reflects percentage of original run filled after refunds due to canceled performances.

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Artwork credit: Sam Perry, "Basket", 2021, wood, 29 x 38 x 23 inches.

% Filled

Fiesta Cultural 2023 June 20 - 25, 2023 In this week-long celebration, the Lesher Center was filled with the vibrant sights and sounds of Latin American art and culture. Featured events included Newsmakers: Ana Navarro, Center REP’s In the Heights, Bedford Gallery’s About Face, and Headliner performances from Gina Brillon, Arturo Sandoval, Las Cafeteras, and Mariachi Herencia de México.

The free Street Fair on Saturday, June 24, included a wide range of performances, food vendors, and a Makers Mercado.

Audience favorites included Northgate High School Latin Jazz Band, Calpulli Tonalehqueh Aztec Dancers, and Cabanijazz Project.

Over the course of the festival week, the Lesher Center in partnership with Diablo Regional Arts Association: Welcomed 7000+ patrons Introduced 1500+ NEW patrons to the Lesher Center (over 30% of ticketed event attendees). Many Street Fair attendees were also joining us for the first time!

Received press features in Mercury News, Diablo Magazine, ABC 7 News, KTVU News, East Bay Express, and many more publications, radio shows, and TV news stations

Fiesta Cultural artwork by Favianna Rodriguez. Street Fair images by Ben Krantz Studio.

Mariachi Herencia de México courtesy of the artist.

Just a few of the positive comments received included: “Wonderful event! I was there for 4 1/2 hours and loved every bit of it! THANK YOU” “So happy you are offering this festival. As a Hispanic, I finally feel validated by such a positive community effort.”

“Simply wanted to share how stellar everyone on the Lesher Team is to work with; outstanding!”

Special thanks go to our Honorary and Steering Committees, incredible staff from Lesher Center and DRAA, and sponsors: Kaiser Permanente, Lesher Foundation, NBC Bay Area / Telemundo 48, Chevron, and HansonBridgett.

Fiesta Cultural is set to return July 17 – 21, 2024, with Headliner performances from Ballet Hispánico, Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band, and Spanish Harlem Orchestra. More information is available at lesherartscenter.org/events/fiesta-cultural

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Education Programs Bedford Gallery Tours Education is a critical aspect of Bedford Gallery’s mission, providing in person tours for visitors of all ages to learn about contemporary art and art making. Bedford Gallery fully relaunched their youth and adult tour program in August 2022, serving 1541 youth on 77 tours and 179 adults on 11 tours (more than a 10-fold increase from the soft relaunch of tours the prior year). The Bedford also went back into the classroom with Art in a Suitcase serving 1203 youth in 43 workshops.

Pallavi Sharma, In Memory of. Photo courtesy of Ria Burman, Ben Krantz Studio.

Young REP Theatre Training Program Young REP celebrated its 50th year in 2023 and continues to train and develop students interested in the theatre arts as a vocation or serious avocation. During the six-week intensive training period, students ages 12-20 learned from theatre professionals including Directors, Actors, Coaches, Choreographers, Designers, Technicians, and Playwrights.

Arts Access Events In partnership with Diablo Regional Arts Association, we welcomed more than 2,500 students to special performances by Dance Theatre of Harlem and artist Paige Hernandez.

Plus, college students performing in the College Notes A Cappella event went out to local schools for workshops and performances.

Workshops & Special Events As part of Erin Fong | The Sensation of Color, Bedford Gallery hosted their first sound bath with the artist and sound healer Emma Peck in addition to a family-friendly story time with local author Kara Navolio and illustrator Tracie Timmer and a special closing reception with artist talk. During About Face, the Bedford partnered with Center for Community Arts and Civic Park Community Center staff to host the Arts + Recreation Department’s successful Pride Day event which included Drag Story Hour, a musical performance, and arts and crafts for families.

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And More!

Lesher Center Strategic Plan Update The Lesher Center’s strategic plan was accepted by the City Council in February 2022, with a focus to evolve over time from a primarily rental-focused venue to also becoming a nationally recognized, leading mid-sized presenter of great art and artists and the home of a dynamic education program. Since then, in partnership with Diablo Regional Arts Association, Lesher Center staff have: Presented 18 Headliners performances, welcoming new and diverse audiences to the Center. Every single Headliner received a standing ovation!

Launched a major aspirational festival, Fiesta Cultural Saw the full return of the Arts Access School Time Program, Bedford Gallery exhibition tours and Art in a Suitcase, and Young REP Scholarship program Launched the Artist in Residency Program with artist Paige Hernandez Developed deeper engagement between Diablo Regional Arts Association board members and Lesher Center artistic leadership Increased access to great art through Pay What You Can preview performances for Center REP

Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra; College Notes A Cappella photo by Ben Krantz Studio; A Beautiful Mess exhibition tour with Bedford Gallery Curator Emilee Enders at the Sarasota Art Museum. Artwork: Lisa Solomon, Senninbari {1000 stitch knot belt}, 2016, hand-dyed & tied cotton rope, 122 x 299 x 4 inches.

Bedford Gallery Traveling Exhibition Program During FY22-23, Bedford Gallery’s traveling exhibitions traveled to 13 cities across 8 states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin.

In the spring of 2023, Curator Emilee Enders was invited to give gallery talks in conjunction with the exhibition A Beautiful Mess: Weavers & Knotters of the Vanguard at the Sarasota Art Museum. The exhibition, Reclaimed: The Art of Recology, launched its tour at the Leah Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, WI, in June 2023.

Personal to Political: Celebrating the African American Artists of Paulson Fontaine Press returned to the Bedford and was refreshed with new prints by three additional artists. The exhibition will hit the road for another 3-year tour in FY23-24. A traveling version of Cultural Currency: Contemporary Art from the Riemer Collection is also being developed for a FY23-24 launch.

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Volunteers This year Lesher Center, Bedford Gallery, and Center REP programs was supported by a larger number of volunteers as programming volume increased. Support from these dedicated volunteers ensures we were able to continue to provide an outstanding experience for each Lesher Center visitor.

Volunteer Hours

Volunteer Full-time Equivalent

Volunteer InKind Value

Bedford Gallery Volunteers

2,300

1.11

$33,350

Lesher Center Usher Volunteers

7,660

3.68

$118,736

TOTAL

9,960

4.79

$152,086

Program

Up Next In line with the strategic plan, staff will continue to deepen collaborations and introduce new programming at the Lesher Center. Some areas of emphasis include: Furthering City-wide DEI efforts, through thoughtful and educational programming Continuing to increase access to great art through Pay What You Can admission at Bedford Gallery, increased Artist in Residence outreach, and the launch of Lesher Center in Your Neighborhood outreach programming Launch of new programs such as: Bedford Gallery's next traveling exhibition Strengthening and expanding the existing slate of education programs The addition of mini festivals/themed programs Expanding Center REP’s reach in the region with a production of Mystic Pizza, in partnership with La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts & McCoy Rigby Entertainment, as well as new partnerships on the horizon with Marin Theatre Company and other organizations across the state Welcoming new key staff, including a Marketing Supervisor and Technical Director In partnership with Diablo Regional Arts Association, continuing to build our family of loyal supporters

Prepared by: Carolyn Jackson, Lesher Center General Manager Emilee Enders, BG Curator of Exhibitions and Programs Matt M. Morrow, Center REP Artistic Director

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