Be a Part of Patterson's Legacy

Be a part of Patterson's legacy and help celebrate the City's 100th birthday by donating to the Centennial Mural!

All donors' names to be printed on the Centennial Mural bronze plaque that will be placed next to the mural for all to see for generations to come.

Click here to download a donation form, Mural Sponsor Letter.pdf or visit patterson100.org.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Colton Dennis at, colton@pattersonrep.org, or 209.872.0430.

The Mural Committee appreciates your generous donation! Thank you for supporting Patterson's 100th Birthday and the arts in our community.

Patterson Rep's 5th Annual Art & Wine Gala

Come enjoy an evening of art, fine wine, hors d'oeuvers and live music while celebrating Patterson's Centennial and supporting Patterson Repertory Theatre!

Music by Rachael Renae, Sal Mayoral and Elvis Allicock, and a performance by MASA Club.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the event. Tickets can be bought at City Hall, Blues Cafe, Coldwell Banker & Associates, the Patterson Irrigator or call 209.892.6187. Proceeds to benefit Patterson Repertory Theatre.

Saturday, April 18, 2009, from 6 pm to 10 pm in Downtown Patterson at City Hall, US Bank & Tri Counties Bank.

Any artists interested in showing art may call Heidi Vento at 209.484.4355 or Colton Dennis at 209.892.6187. Or download the forms here,
Registration form, and here, Letter of Understanding.

The Morning Mayor in Patterson

Arts and The Del Puerto Theater

Arts and culture enhance every aspect of life, improving our economy, enriching our civic life and exerting a profound influence on the education of our children. Arts and culture have been the genesis of the revitalization of downtowns in many communities. They create community pride and provide a sense of uniqueness and identity, and they can do the same for us here in Patterson, while keeping our unique history and culture.

The exhibition and performance of the arts can provide a catalyst for economic growth, cultural tourism and community development. From the standpoint of enhancing reputation and economic development, being known as a place that promotes arts and culture is a real advantage for any city, large or small. And by promoting vibrancy in the arts, we encourage a positive self-image for our community. We make everyone's life better by bringing the arts closer to us.

Among our children, the arts promote positive social development and encourage exploration and creativity. Exposure to the arts improves academic skills essential for reading and language development and helps all children lead richer, fuller lives. Arts develop an awareness of different ways of perceiving and thinking, and build respect for other viewpoints, cultures and heritages, promoting tolerance; which engenders a team-oriented and collaborative environment.

But the arts aren’t just for kids. The arts enhance the quality of life for everyone.

I am excited to hear that we are considering forming a Downtown Theatre Task Force that will look into revitalizing the old Del Puerto Theater. I have always believed it would be a great community arts center where we can present live theatre and live music, a gallery for local artists, as well as, a place for town hall meetings, banquets and receptions. It can be an anchor for our downtown; attracting people to frequent our shops and even bring us more shops and restaurants to our historic downtown.

As with many other cities that have renovated their old movie theaters into arts centers (such as, Newman, Turlock, Modesto, Merced, Tracy), it won’t happen over night. It may take years and lots of ‘sweat-equity’ to bring the old Del Puerto back to its full grandeur. But it is better for us to begin now, because the sooner we start, the sooner we can liven up and revitalize our downtown.

With the success of our Repertory Theatre, our Youth Theatre, and our Art and Wine Gala, with the Del Puerto Art Group, two dance companies, Band Night at the Teen Center and Movies in the Park, it’s time to bring the old Del Puerto Theater back.

Arts in Our Economy

• Contribute $5.4 billion to California's economy
  
  
• Create 66,300 full-time jobs and 95,100 part-time jobs
  
  
• Generate $300 million in state and local tax
  
  
• Attract 71.2 million in annual attendance and attract 6 million out of town tourists

What we would miss

I am scared.

This morning as I was starting my car I sat there for a bit waiting for it to heat up. NPR came right on and someone was talking about the stimulus package. They said they didn't have a problem with it but to include funding for the arts was "Pork Barrel Spending." I sat there stunned, when did funding for the arts become "Pork Barrel?" Last night I had sat through a School Board meeting which was all about the arts! And someones job was at stake.There is a decision for people to make and it will not be an easy one.
Will music have to go?
Up and down the state of California music, theatre, art is being cut from our schools. For many of our students this is what they Come to school for! Our districts want us to do well on test scores and have less truant children. Well the arts is one of the ways this can happen.
I worry.
I grew up in Patterson and there weren't a lot of arts programs back then. I was lucky enough to have a library card and a love of books and old movies. My Junior year I finally got to take Drama! I had been waiting for that... for forever! I loved it. The next year we got a new Theatre teacher Mr. Dias and he started a brand new program! I was there every step of the way! I am back now in Patterson because the arts made such a huge impact on my life. These teachers and librarians and people made such a big impact. I want to make the world a better place. So do the kids to are in band, art, and drama! We strive to bring the world beauty! Do not let Patterson's beauty die. Remember, yes we need the science, math, English and history to learn about the world, but we also need music, art, and theatre to understand the world and make it a better and more harmonious place.

It is not "Pork Barrel Spending" it is money well spent!

Cutting the Arts - An American Tradition

For far too many years the arts have been the first programs to be placed on the chopping block in our public schools. It has, unfortunately, become a "tradition" in the California school system. Now, in the worst recession we've had in generations, (some would say a depression, if not at the very least, a deep recession) California's public schools' arts programs are in jeopardy. But we can say, "Not in Patterson." Well, this is my hope, anyway.

Last night at the Patterson School Board meeting, band students and their parents came out in droves in support of their school's music programs. One student, a senior, was the most eloquent - a perfect example of how music and the arts can empower young people. He presented the school board with facts on how music students, on average, perform better in math, language and reading, and overall, do better on tests and go on to higher education. Others spoke out, as well. Many parents, some with tears in their eyes, pleaded with the school board to not cut the music programs because it is the music classes that give their student a reason for going to school.

I know in my own personal experience how much the arts mean, especially, music. If it weren't for my high school music program, I wouldn't have had a reason to go to school everyday. I was a very unmotivated student. It was music and theater that inspired me to go to school and try to do better in my core classes. Matter of fact, music and theater opened doors to literature, language and history. Even as I got more into the theory of music, I found a connection to math. I eventually made it through high school and went on to college with a music scholarship that helped pay for my first four semesters. I owe a lot to the arts; I'd even say I owe my life to the arts.

Yet, again, last night I was inspired by how the arts have changed and inspired so many young lives. And, I believe, the school board heard and understood these pleas. I don't envy them their job and I know they don't take their job lightly. I just hope they say about cutting our schools' arts programs, "Not here. Not in Patterson."

Perhaps they'll start a new tradition here in Patterson. Like the Thanksgiving Day tradition of the President pardoning the Thanksgiving turkey from the chopping block, the school board will pardon our arts programs from the chopping block, too!

Arts Facts

Young people who participate in the arts are:

• 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement


• 3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools


• 4 times more likely to participate in a science fair


• 3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance


• 4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem

Young artists, as compared to their peers, are likely to:

• Participate in youth groups nearly four times as frequently


• Perform community service more than four times as often

Interpersonally

• Children learn self-expression (mentally, physically, verbally, emotionally)


• The arts give children a positive view of themselves


• They are generally more extroverted and comfortable with others (as well as themselves)

Creatively

• Children learn how to apply abstract thinking to other areas of their lives (such as academics and the career world)


• Their imagination develops more rapidly


• The creative process of theatre leads children to be more open-minded and acceptable because of the diverse roles they portray

Creative, Culture, Education and Workforce
Center for the Arts and Culture (2001)
A complete education in the arts and humanities is proven to help students:

• Think creatively


• Communicate effectively


• Work collaboratively in today's fast-paced, technologically advanced global economy

Arts in Our Economy

• Contribute $5.4 billion to California's economy


• Create 66,300 full-time jobs


• Create 95,100 part-time jobs


• Generate $300 million in state and local tax


• Attract 71.2 million in annual attendance


• Attract 6 million out of state tourists

Creative Industries Study
Americans for the Arts(2008)

• California is home to 98,949 arts-related businesses, institutions, and organizations.


• Arts-related businesses, institutions, and organizations in California employ 500,891 Californians.


• There are 49,489 visual and performing arts businesses in California, employing 181,373 Californians.


• There are 18,663 film, radio and television businesses in California, employing 174,133 Californians.


• California ranks first in the nation with more firms than any other state in this creative economic sector

How States Are Using Arts & Culture to Strengthen Their Global Trade Development
National Governors Association (2003)

• Incorporating arts and cultural exchange in international and business development approaches


• Initiating cultural exchanges with foreign nations


• Making grants to communities and educational intuitions that are actively initiating contacts abroad

Moonlight and Valentino

Patterson Repertory Theatre Presents
Moonlight and Valentino

By Ellen Simon

Directed by Colton Dennis

Story: This lighthearted comedy by Neil Simon's daughter captures the warmth and spirit of four women seeking answers to life's biggest questions. When Rebecca's family and closest friend arrive on her doorstep following the sudden accidental death of her husband, they bring their own baggage and distinctive personalities: a controlling ex stepmother, a naive younger sister and an eccentric best friend. When a sexy painter is hired to paint Rebecca's house, each woman learns that, when all is said and done, laughter is the best medicine. This warm and wonderful play was the basis on the movie that starred Elizabeth Perkins, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jon Bon Jovi, Kathleen Turner and Whoopie Goldberg.

Dates: Fri. February 20 - Sun. March 1
Fri. & Sat. @ 7:30, Sun. @ 2:00
Cost: $8-$10
Place: PHS Auditorium / 200 N. 7th Street
More Info: 209.892.7297 or www.pattersonrep.org/