26 July 2015

MAC > Central Mesa Light Rail Extension Opening Celebrations: Thanks to Casey Blake, PR @ Mesa Arts Center

Media Contact:
Casey Blake
Director of Public Relations
480-644-6620
casey.blake@mesaartscenter.com


With Valley Metro as the lead, many entities immediately sprang into action to plan events, activities and festivities for August 22. The City of Mesa’s Arts and Culture Department – which includes Mesa Arts Center, Arizona Museum of Natural History and i.d.e.a. Museum – is planning quite a few activities for the community celebration around the arrival of Light Rail, which will supplement the activities of Valley Metro, other City of Mesa entities, and numerous community partners creating festive events at each of the four new stations in Mesa. Everything listed below is subject to change and more activities will likely be added leading up to the event date. 

At Mesa Arts Center on the morning of August 22

·         Community Art Project:
Mesa Arts Center’s 10th year logo will be made into a colorful work of art by the community throughout the morning’s festivities. A metal instructor at Mesa Arts Center is creating a giant metal framework. Everyone will be invited to add colorful pieces in a pattern on the metal sculpture. The materials are waterproof and washable so that the community-made art piece can stay through Mesa Arts Center’s annual Season Kickoff Festival scheduled for Friday, September 11

·         Outdoor Entertainment:
Mesa Arts Center will provide performances for the duration of the festivities on August 22, within view of the Center St. Light Rail station on the campus. The lineup of performers is still being finalized but will likely include a variety of performing arts genres, several founding resident companies from Mesa Arts Center, and other performing artists. 

·         Studio Art Demonstrations:
Mesa Arts Center’s studio art teachers will be at the north end of the MAC campus demonstrating ceramics, throwing a pot on a wheel and glass flame working. 

·         The Gift Store, Mesa Arts Center’s Artists Cooperative Gallery:

The Store itself will be closed but artists from the Co-op will set up a pop-up gallery on the north end of campus. Items will be available for viewing and for purchase. 

·         Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum (closed August 17 – September 10):
Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum must close from August 17 through the second week in September in order to deinstall the current exhibitions, perform maintenance and repairs, and install five new exhibitions for public opening on September 11. Museum admission is always free, as is the Season Kickoff Festival event on Friday, September 11

Arizona Museum of Natural History (AZMNH) plans for August 22:
·         AZMNH will be open for free on August 22 from 9 a.m. to noon.
·         Before August 22, dinosaur footprints will be painted from the Center street station leading to the entrance of AZMNH.
·         AZMNH will place two large dinosaur models on the streets for the festivities. One near Main and Center and one near Main and Macdonald.
·         Near the dinosaur models, AZMNH staffers will have tables with a demonstration or activity for passersby to try.

i.d.e.a. Museum
·         The Museum will be open for free on August 22 from 9 a.m. to noon.
·         Before August 22, parent and child footprints will be painted from the Country Club station leading to the entrance of i.d.e.a. Museum.
·         Costumed storybook characters inspired by the current “Once Upon a Time” exhibition at the Museum will be engaging visitors at the Country Club Station and on Main Street.
·         The Museum will have a sit-on Wooden Elephant for photo opportunities, and a hands-on art activity for visitors.

Please Keep In Mind: Both Arizona Museum of Natural History and i.d.e.a. Museum will promote special Light Rail rider offers during the first month of Light Rail into downtown Mesa. 
More information will be made available as we get closer to the date.

10th Year Anniversary + Season Kick-Off Festival: At Mesa Arts Center we are fortunate that the launch of Light Rail in Mesa is happening right before the beginning of our 2015-16 season, during which time we will be celebrating our tenth year at One East Main Street in downtown Mesa! It all begins with our Season Kickoff Festival on Friday, September 11, 6-10 p.m.

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