On Saturday, May 21, Arts Benicia, Benicia’s Arts and Culture Commission, and artist Mark Brest van Kempen are hosting a half-day workshop featuring Barbara Goldstein. The workshop runs 1-4 p.m., in the Dona Benicia room at the Benicia Library. Barbara Goldstein is an independent consultant whose practice focuses on public art planning and creative placemaking. She is the former Public Art Director for the City of San Jose Office of Cultural Affairs and editor of Public Art by the Book, a primer published by Americans for the Arts and the University of Washington Press. In addition to her work in San Jose, she has directed public art programs in Los Angeles and Seattle.
Event organizers hope that her workshop can kickstart a local arts advocacy effort aimed at strengthening Benicia’s commitment to supporting the arts.
With assistance from the Creative Work Fund, Mark Brest van Kempen and Arts Benicia have been working together and with others in Benicia to bring thoughtful planning about public art to the city’s waterfront development plan.