Three free, family-friendly events to take place this spring and summer
Sacramento, Calif. – April 22, 2016 – The Crocker Art Museum’s Block by Block team is throwing three free events this spring and summer featuring art, food, music and entertainment for all ages. The all-day block parties, which run from noon to 7 p.m., will take place on Saturday, May 7 in North Sacramento; Saturday, June 11 in South Sacramento; and Saturday, July 9 in the Oak Park area. In partnership with Sol Collective and Sojourner Truth Museum, each block party will celebrate the neighborhood in which it is held by showcasing local artists, entertainers and vendors.
“The block parties are a celebration of arts happening in the community,” says Daphne Burgess, project manager of Crocker Block by Block. “We really want to highlight the creativity that exists in Sacramento’s unique neighborhoods that often gets overlooked but really makes Sacramento special. We want to co-create an opportunity for artists to shine and be celebrated. There will be interactive art experiences; live music, visual arts, performing arts; and it might be your neighbor who is performing.”
In addition, each block party will showcase the work of three Art + Impact grant recipients, whose work was selected on the basis of innovation, connection and unique experience with an emphasis on process and social engagement.
Anthony Padilla’s “Solar Poppy,” a solar-powered sculpture that also acts as a shaded resting place with seats and USB charging stations, will be on display at the May 7 block party, held at Grant Union High School. Zero Forbidden Goals’ “#TheMostOpenMicInTheCity,” a mobile performance stage, will be in action at the June 11 block party at Steve Jones Park. And Gioia Fonda’s “Give a Fork” sculpture, which raises awareness about food scarcity and is comprised of household forks donated by local residents, will be on display at the July 9 block party at the Colonial Heights Library.
“Each project was designed to bring awareness to issues and interests within our community as a means to inspire, provoke and connect—art can do that and so can museums,” says Stacey Shelnut-Hendrick, the Crocker’s Director of Education.
Block by Block is an initiative of the Crocker Art Museum focused on Sacramento City Council districts 2, 5 and 8. Through Block by Block, the Crocker aims to strengthen connections between the Museum and its broader community by co-creating neighborhood-based arts experiences with artists, grassroots organizations, businesses and community members interested in using the arts to build and improve our sense of community. The project is funded by the James Irvine Foundation.
For questions about Block by Block, call or email blockbyblock@crockerartmuseum.org.
At-a-Glance:
What: Block Parties
When & Where:
Saturday, May 7, noon – 7 p.m., Grant Union High School, 1400 Grand Ave., Sacramento
Saturday, June 11, noon – 7 p.m., Steve Jones Park, 2331 Casa Linda Drive, Sacramento
Saturday, July 9, noon – 7 p.m., Colonial Heights Library, 4799 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento
Cost: Free
Who can attend: All ages
More info: or email blockbyblock@crockerartmuseum.org
The Crocker Art Museum was the first public art museum in the Western U.S. and is one of the leading art museums in California today. Established in 1885, the Museum features one of the country’s finest collections of Californian art, exceptional holdings of master drawings, a comprehensive collection of international ceramics, as well as European, Asian, African, and Oceanic art. The Crocker is located at 216 O Street in downtown Sacramento. Museum hours are
10 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday–Sunday; 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Thursdays. Every third Sunday of the month is “Pay What You Wish Sunday” sponsored by Western Health Advantage. For more information, call or visit crockerartmuseum.org.
