Brea is known for its extensive Art in Public Places program, and instead of just having a city hall we have a civic and cultural center that includes a performing arts theater, art gallery and branch library.
It is interesting how it all came about.
According former Brea city manger and mayor, Wayne Wedin, via email, “We did know the civic cultural center components would have the ability to draw people from a greater distance to shop at the Brea Mall.”
He added that there were many discussions and information gathered from around the country regarding what to include in the new civic and cultural center and how it could support the success of the new mall. And promote the arts.
The mall continues to thrive and is growing, and so is the popularity of Brea’s performing arts theater, the gallery’s popular exhibits and the beautifully renovated Orange County branch library. Now it is time to prepare for Brea’s future of the arts with a new Cultural Arts Master Plan.
Wedin was also instrumental in getting Brea’s Art in Public Places started in 1978, after seeing public art displayed across cities in Europe and the United States. It is a Brea requirement that when a large development is constructed, a work of art must be included. I think all the art pieces, even the few I don’t care for, add to Brea’s culture.
And what about the future? I recently took part in an Art & Culture Visioning session at Brea’s Civic and Cultural Center. It was an informal brainstorming session on what we want, art and cultural wise, in Brea’s future.
It was the first of three approximately 2-hour sessions held at 6 p.m. on Sept. 26, 27 and 28. The session I attended was presented in English. The Wednesday session was in English and Korean and the Thursday session in English and Spanish, enabling more Breans to participate. If you missed them, more sessions are expected.
There were 10 attendees at the visioning session I attended, and they included city residents or folks who worked or lived near Brea and have interest in Brea’s art and cultural offerings. Rounding out the session were a few city employees, but they mainly observed.
The session was lead by Rick Stein, president and CEO of Arts Orange County, a nonprofit independent arts council and Orange County’s official local arts agency that promotes the arts and provides art education.
Carrie Hernandez, Brea’s community services manager, brought in Orange County Arts to be instrumental in developing Brea’s Cultural Arts Master Plan.
A steering committee for the project was formed in May, and the plan is expected to be presented to the City Council in December.
We were told the purpose of the visioning sessions was to get input from the residents and other attendees that will be used to create the master plan. We were queried about our interest in art, some people told of memorable experiences they had from an art piece or exhibition, and what art opportunities they would like to see in Brea.
Some of those opportunities included a location for youth and adult artists to create and display their artwork. Also how an event like a tamale festival can include art. The idea is to have a Cultural Arts Master Plan that the people want and will enjoy for years to come.
We were told at the visioning session that we could take the art and culture survey on the city’s home page. I was able to, but then it was removed due to a glitch, but was expected to be back up soon. And it probably is by now.
It is available in English, Korean and Spanish.
Do take the time to fill out the survey and let Brea know what you think should be a part the city’s art and culture future.
Terri Daxon is a freelance writer and the owner of Daxon Marketing Communications. She gives her perspective on Brea issues twice a month. Contact her at daxoncomm@gmail.com.
