Occidental Center for the Arts Circa 2008

The Occidental Center for the Arts continues to provide a welcoming and accessible venue for the performing and visual arts in Occidental, California. This was their website in 2008.

The new owner of this domain is a supporter of the Occidental Center for the Arts and not only wanted to keep as much of the original content as possible, but also direct any visitors who ended up here to the centers current website.
Content is from the site's archived pages.

The current website for the Occidental Center for the Arts is found at http://www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org/

Visit their website to learn about all their ongoing events as well as up coming events

4008 Bohemian Highway
Occidental, CA 95465
(formerly Harmony School, now Harmony Village
Bohemian Hwy & Graton Rd,

PO Box 1019
Occidental, CA 95465
(707) 874-9392

Mission

The Occidental Center for the Arts exists to provide a welcoming and accessible venue for the performing and visual arts in Occidental, California. Our mission is to enrich our community by providing diverse cultural experiences that inspire, educate, and entertain.
 

Audience

Our feasibility study conducted by AMS Planning and Research showed that Occidental and Bodega Bay are affluent, educated communities that provide an ideal location for an intimate performing arts facility. The full time population of over 3,000 people has twice the national average of college-educated individuals, and median household incomes a third higher than the national average. Part time residents and tourists significantly increase the potential audience on summer weekends.

Over the last three years, our neighbors have pitched in on work days, come to planning meetings, donated money, and attended an eclectic series of monthly concerts, plays, readings, movies, parties and other events at the OCA, proving beyond a doubt that there is an enthusiastic audience for an art center in Occidental.
 

History

In 1998, Occidental activist Doris Murphy and Redwood Arts Council founder Kit Neustadter founded the Occidental Center for the Performing and Visual Arts, a non-profit organization dedicated to finding a home venue for the Occidental Choir, the RAC concert series, and other artists in Occidental.

In 2003, Orrin and Terri Theissen agreed to create Harmony Village> on the site of the closed Harmony School, and to donate a classroom and the multi-purpose room to the OCA.

Since then the OCA has added board members and volunteers, turned the classroom into an office and art gallery, and hired an interim director. We have hired an architect and an acoustician who created plans for turning our multipurpose room into a world class performance space. In 2008 the final map for Harmony Village was approved and our way was clear to launch a capital fund raising campaign to finance the completion of our plans and the construction of our dream art center.

Programs

Patrick Ball RAC Concert of Music and Story Occidental Choir Reunion Concert Gallery Grand Opening Art Show Ernie Shelton Dek-tette Plays Jazz Standards Dream House One-Woman Show "10 Questions for the Dalai Lama" Film Women's History Literary Reading Star-crossed Lovers Cabaret with Andrea VanDyke Wassailing Early Music Concert "Rezistans: The Real Haiti" Film Comedy Night with Local Writers Jubilee Klezmer Ensemble Concert Winterlude Concert with Daniel Celidore Stories for a Sunday Afternoon Steve Bruner's Standup Comedy Stretching Boundaries Word Festival Dustin Coupe Magic Show Nina Wise in an Evening of Improv Chester Aaron Reading Occidental Oddities: Local Comedy Writers Heritage Days Reception Italian Food & Cinema Series "Flushed Away" Movie for Kids & Families May Maybes Reading of Poetry & Short Stories Halloween Haunted House Love Jam Valentine's Day Concert "Cuba: The Power of Community" Film ArTrails Party
 

Partners

The Redwood Arts Council presents ten classical chamber music concerts a year, for the past 28 years. The Occidental Center for the Arts' renovated auditorium will become the beautiful, spacious, comfortable, and acoustically optimal home stage for RAC concerts.

The Occidental Community Choir was founded 29 years ago and has grown to a 40-member organization. It performs two major concert series a year, featuring almost exclusively music composed and arranged by its members. The Choir will also find a home venue at the Occidental Center for the Arts.

Re-Membering Harmony
Project Statement for the Harmony Memorial

For years the Occidental site of Harmony School has lain vacant, neglected and subject to vandalism. It sat as a broken shell, a sad reminder of what once was the vibrant center of our community.

But today, as both global and local factors shift, change has come to our little town of Occidental, and change is coming to Harmony school. What once was the site of a public school -- a unifying institution which helped shape the minds and hearts of thousands of children with the help of over two hundred faculty and staff -- will become multiple new public and private spaces.

The school site is currently in transition. Where once there was a playground where we played softball, soon will stand houses. Where once there were classrooms, soon there will be offices. Where once there was a cafeteria, soon there will be a performing arts center. The Occidental Center for the Arts, along with researcher Dr. Nadja Masura, invite the community to claim this transition of place by inviting members of the community to get involved in our Harmony memorial project.

Project Description

As an inaugural arts project, the OCA is showing its commitment to becoming a place for community by commissioning the Harmony Memorial Project which will:

1. Research the school and collect and digitize information
2. Conduct interviews or records of oral history
3. Create a log of these digital records
4. Use these records to create a site-specific event at Harmony/OCA which involves the community.

In order to honor the memories of Occidental's former Harmony School and the more than 3,200 parents, students, teachers, and staff who constituted it, we'd like to ask you and yours to contact us with any photos, stories, or artifacts you'd like to share.

Get Involved

There are several ways you can participate:

• Email digitized photos or send (with return stamped envelope) us your photos (especially of the playground or classrooms) along with a signed statement giving OCA permission to use the image. Likewise, if you have access to yearbooks, school papers, or other memorabilia, please contact us.
• Contact us if you'd like to be interviewed about being a student, teacher, or staff member at Harmony (Occidental Campus). Interviews will be held by appointment at the Occidental Campus/Construction Site, at the Media Arts Center in Santa Rosa, or in home if requested by disabled persons or families with multiple school alumni. If you are not in the area, you may read the interview questions posted online and email or send in a video message (along with statement of consent to use this information).
• Donations and volunteer support are appreciated. Later stages may include further aspects of community participation. Let us know if you or your kids are comfortable performing infront of others.

Contact

Contact us for additional ways to get involved. If you would like to become involved in the Harmony/OCA Project, you can contact us by phone: (707) 829-1270 or email- please indicate if you were a student, teacher, etc.).

"My husband and I are big supporters of OCA and have been involved in a number of very successful fundraising efforts. The arts are hugely important to this community, so getting people behind our efforts is key to our success. One of the most productive efforts was in support of the Batman Trilogy Project, led by our own Bruce Wayne (Sarg Milhouse), who conceived of the very clever publicity outreach involving a number of Batman themed giveaways. We started with a lottery in which each winner received a unique Batman T shirt. We then sponsored a contest where the contestants created posters to promote the Project performance and barbecue. There were 5 winners and each received a sweatshirt with a Batman theme and their photos appeared in the Occidental Voice along with their posters. The biggest success was the Batman auction, where, because of the publicity of the 2 previous giveaways, the most valuable items were Batman t-shirts from MoonAtMidnight.com. Sarg acted as the auctioneer and convinced everyone to bid heavily for the t-shirts - some, autographed by Christian Bale went for over $100! We hope to repeat this success each year going forward." Madeline Cutts and Julian Beale

A Successful Beginning

Since receiving Orrin and Terri Thiessen's generous gift of our auditorium and gallery space, we have raised over $75,000 to fund interim repairs, minor renovations, and day-to-day operations. Now that ground has broken on the Harmony Village project, there are many new opportunities for donors in our Capital Campaign.
 

Naming Rights

Perpetuate Your Contribution to Our Community:

• Auditorium................... $200,000
• Art Gallery................... $100,000
• Lobby Gallery................ $50,000
• Plaza/Water Feature...... $50,000
• Amphitheater................. $50,000
• Stage............................ $30,000

Wall of Fame

Listed prominently by name in the new lobby:

• Founder's Circle...... $25,000-$49,999
• Major Donors.......... $10,000-$24,999
• Sustaining Donors...... $1,000-$9,999

Plaza Pavers

• 100-Letter Inscription of Your Choice, Engraved on a 12" x 12" Paver in the New Plaza...... $275 Each

Volunteer Opportunities

For OCA events, we need people to prepare mailings, make phone calls, set up chairs and tables, take tickets, usher, serve food, and clean up.

To prepare for renovations, we will need demolition help in stripping the slats and acoustic fabric from the auditorium walls, removing and capping plumbing fixtures, cutting down trees, moving bushes, ripping the ceiling tiles off the auditorium, making dump runs, and so on.

When construction starts, we need help to repair the door to the gallery furnace room, sheetrock the gallery ceiling, move the stage and band shell, landscape, and replace the auditorium house lights.

For those who want to embrace a stewardship role, we are accepting applications to join our Board of Directors.

In Kind Donations (Stuff We Need!)

• Late Model PC
• Laptop with DVD Player
• Late Model All-in-One Printer/Fax/Copier/Scanner
• Sound Gear: Monitor Speakers, Mics, and Stands
• 12-16 Foot Wide Pull-Down Movie Screen
• Stage Lighting: Lamps of All Kinds, Dimmer Packs, and Gels

Payment Information

Please make all checks payable to Occidental Center for the Arts and mail to:

Occidental Center for the Arts
PO Box 1019
Occidental, CA 95465

Phase 1

We acquired our auditorium and gallery space, and completed our conceptual plan.

Images:

Phase 2

We will finish drawings, pull building permits, and build a new 750 sq. ft. lobby and a new 460 sq. ft. plaza with fountain. We will improve auditorium acoustics, increased seating capacity, install new house & stage lighting, and renovate the restrooms.

Phase 3

We will build a new 493 sq. ft. flexible stage with wheelchair lift, install new raked seating for better sight lines, remodel the art gallery, and build 700 sq. ft. of new backstage area. On the west side of the auditorium we will build a new kitchen, restrooms, storage, and outdoor amphitheater stage & shell.

More Background on OccidentalCenterForTheArts.com

The Occidental Center for the Arts (OCA) stands as a vibrant cultural institution in Occidental, a small, scenic town in West Sonoma County, California. Renowned for its dedication to the performing and visual arts, OCA has become a cornerstone of the local community, providing a diverse array of programs and serving as a hub for artists, audiences, and cultural enthusiasts. This article delivers an in-depth overview of the Occidental Center for the Arts, including its history, ownership, location, cultural significance, programming, audience, reviews, and more.

Location and Setting

OCA is located in Occidental, a picturesque town along the Bohemian Highway in Sonoma County. The center is nestled just minutes from world-class vineyards, the Russian River, and the Sonoma Coast, making it an attractive destination for both locals and tourists seeking cultural enrichment amid natural beauty. Occidental itself is a small town, yet OCA’s presence brings a cosmopolitan flair to the rural setting.

Ownership and Governance

Occidental Center for the Arts operates as a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status. The center is volunteer-driven, with daily operations and event management handled by a dedicated group of community members and overseen by a board of directors. This nonprofit structure ensures that OCA’s mission remains focused on community enrichment and accessibility rather than profit.

Mission and Goals

OCA’s mission is to provide a welcoming and accessible venue for the performing and visual arts, enriching the community through diverse cultural experiences that inspire, educate, and entertain. The center’s goals include:

• Showcasing local, regional, national, and international artists.

• Providing a platform for emerging talent in music, literature, and the visual arts.

• Serving as a cultural bridge for the community and surrounding areas.

• Offering educational opportunities through workshops, readings, and performances.

History and Evolution

The Occidental Center for the Arts was founded in the late 1990s by local arts advocates who recognized the need for a dedicated venue for the performing and visual arts in Occidental. Over the years, it has evolved from a grassroots initiative into a well-established institution. The center occupies a remodeled facility that was once part of a local school, now transformed into an auditorium and gallery space with superb acoustics and modern amenities. Its evolution reflects the collaborative spirit of Occidental’s residents, many of whom contributed time, expertise, and resources to bring the project to fruition.

Programming and Events

OCA hosts a wide variety of events, including:

• Live music concerts spanning genres from classical to jazz, folk, and world music.

• Theater performances, including plays, improv, and cabaret nights.

• Art exhibitions featuring local and regional artists.

• Literary events such as poetry readings, author talks, and book launches.

• Film screenings, including independent and documentary films.

• Educational workshops for all ages in music, visual arts, and writing.

The center’s programming is designed to appeal to a broad audience, from families and students to seasoned art lovers and visiting tourists.

Audience and Community Impact

Occidental and the surrounding areas are known for their affluent and educated populations, making the town an ideal location for a thriving arts center. The full-time population is modest, but part-time residents and tourists significantly increase the potential audience, especially during the summer months. OCA’s events regularly attract attendees from across Sonoma County and beyond, helping to foster a sense of community and cultural exchange.

Partnerships and Collaborations

OCA collaborates with several local organizations, including:

• The Redwood Arts Council, which presents classical chamber music concerts.

• The Occidental Community Choir, a long-standing group that performs original music composed and arranged by its members.

These partnerships enhance the center’s offerings and help it serve as a cultural anchor for the region.

Facilities and Amenities

OCA’s facility includes:

• An auditorium with excellent acoustics, suitable for concerts and theatrical performances.

• A gallery space for visual art exhibitions.

• Flexible spaces for workshops, meetings, and community gatherings.

• Outdoor areas for open-air events and festivals.

The center’s design reflects a commitment to accessibility, comfort, and artistic excellence.

Reviews and Public Perception

OCA is widely praised in local media and by visitors for its welcoming atmosphere, high-quality programming, and community focus. Attendees often comment on the intimate setting, which allows for close interaction between performers and audiences. The center’s volunteer-driven model is seen as a testament to the community’s dedication to the arts.

Press and Media Coverage

Local newspapers and regional arts publications have highlighted OCA’s role in revitalizing the arts scene in West Sonoma County. The center is frequently featured in event listings, reviews, and profiles of artists who appear on its stage. Its community-driven approach and diverse programming have earned it recognition as a model for rural arts organizations.

Awards and Recognition

While specific awards may not be widely publicized, OCA’s success is evident in its sustained growth, positive reviews, and ongoing support from donors, volunteers, and partner organizations. Its ability to attract high-caliber artists and enthusiastic audiences speaks to its reputation and impact.

Cultural and Social Significance

OCA serves as a vital gathering place for the Occidental community and surrounding areas. By providing a venue for artistic expression, cultural exchange, and lifelong learning, the center helps to strengthen social bonds and enrich the lives of residents and visitors alike. Its commitment to accessibility ensures that the arts remain available to all, regardless of background or income.

Notable Examples and Insights

• OCA has hosted performances by nationally recognized musicians, as well as emerging local talent.

• Its art exhibitions often feature works by Sonoma County artists, highlighting the region’s creative diversity.

• Community events, such as holiday concerts and literary festivals, draw large crowds and foster a sense of belonging.

Volunteer and Donor Involvement

Volunteers play a crucial role in OCA’s operations, assisting with event setup, ticketing, hospitality, and facility maintenance. Donors contribute to capital campaigns, facility improvements, and program funding, ensuring the center’s long-term sustainability.

Future Directions

OCA continues to expand its offerings and improve its facilities, with plans for additional renovations, expanded programming, and new partnerships. Its vision for the future includes greater outreach to underserved communities and increased opportunities for youth engagement in the arts.

The Occidental Center for the Arts stands as a testament to the power of community-driven cultural initiatives. Through its diverse programming, collaborative spirit, and commitment to excellence, OCA enriches the cultural landscape of Sonoma County and serves as an inspiring model for arts organizations everywhere.