with the artists in the Artisan ’ s Corner . The woman is a powerhouse . She has done so many behind the scenes things to make sure that the Center is a success . We couldn ’ t have done it without her .” It ’ s dedication like this from Beth and others that keep the Center operating .
What many don ’ t know about the facility — the Interim Center for the Arts building — is that it ’ s available for anyone to use . As a city-owned building , the Center can be rented — much like the popular “ Bring Your Own Dinner and Wine Limelight Theater ,” rents space for its productions on Fridays , Saturdays , and Sundays . The GAA encourages the community to contact them for days when the Center is available for booking your own meetings or events ( art-related or not ).
Einstein once remarked , “ I ’ m enough of an artist to draw freely on my imagination , which I think is more important than knowledge . Knowledge is limited . Imagination encircles the world .” The Gilroy Arts Alliance stands as a small beacon pointing our citizens in a direction of imagination and creativity against the tides that sometimes pull us into the mindset that art isn ’ t a necessity . As we have come to understand what art really is , we realize that it isn ’ t just necessary , it ’ s a vital part of our daily life . As long as we have organizations like the GAA , we will always have a constant reminder of art ’ s importance in our lives and our communities .
Visit the Gilroy Arts Alliance website for more information : gilroyartsalliance . com
Center Timeline
Provided by Kevin Heath
20 years ago- The Gilroy Center for the Arts didn ’ t exist , but the Theater Angels Art League ’ s mission to build one was already in place .
8 years ago- After getting the funds to build Gilroy Center for the Arts , the City redirected the money to buy land ( that includes the property where Gilroy Gardens is located ) putting a hold on building the 35,000 sf . Art Center .
6 years ago- The GAA stepped up and saved the old Salvation Army building ( slated to be town down which would have left a huge eyesore downtown — with an empty dirt lot — for decades to come ). The GAA convinced the City to let them use the building and operate the Center .
5 years ago- The Gilroy Interim Center for the Arts opened its doors .
4 years ago- The GAA received a generous donation from the Christopher family to renovate , add a parking lot belonging to the Center , and a beautiful , lit marquee sign .
3 years ago- The GAA completed the courtyard . Shortly after , the City tore down the condemned buildings next door and put in a Green Space .
1 year ago- The GAA brought over 6,000 people downtown and through the Center ’ s doors in 2014 . An impressive number , considering a 50 person maximum occupancy limit inside per event .
Today- The GAA operates a successful anchor to downtown Gilroy in the Interim Center for the Arts with eight to ten exhibits a year , five live theater productions a year from the Limelight Actors Theater , live music events and more . Imagine what will happen in downtown Gilroy when the larger Art Center is finally built !
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GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2015 gmhtoday . com