ON POINT - January 2010
New Gallery Adds to Growing Creative Community at NTC Promenade
NTC Promenade will soon add a new visual arts gallery to its growing arts district at the former Naval Training Center in Point Loma. The establishment of the new Martha Pace Swift Gallery was announced by Alan Ziter, Executive Director of the NTC Foundation, the organization that oversees the development of this new “creative community” for San Diego.
The grand opening dedication of the Swift Gallery is set for Friday, February 5, 6pm, during the monthly NTC Friday Night Liberty Open House. The exhibit continues through April 2, 2010.
“We are the grateful recipients of a generous sustaining gift from Gabriella Stephanie Swift, in honor of her mother. This provides the resources to allow us to provide another quality cultural experience for the people of San Diego,” explained Ziter. “Gabriella has been a long-time supporter of the Expressive Arts Institute - a founding NTC resident group with a mission to use the arts for change, growth, healing and learning. The Swift Gallery will provide another venue to share an artistic perspective and foster new dialogue.”
“Both my mother and I have shared a love of beauty and she always surrounded herself with beautiful things in her home,” explained Swift. “I am thrilled to establish a tribute to her and honor her dedication to the community. I want to encourage the creative process in San Diego and the connection to the Expressive Arts Institute provides an opportunity to support and promote the value of the arts as way to heal and express oneself,” she added. “My vision is a gallery that captures the humanity of the arts and blends it with the mission of expressive arts therapy.”
The Swift Gallery, presented and curated by the Expressive Arts Institute (EAI), will mount four to five high quality exhibits of visual art annually, with a focus on San Diego and emerging California artists. The inaugural exhibit will feature the large scale oil on canvas work of San Diego artist Anna Zappoli. Zappoli, originally from Italy, has been in the U.S. since 1966 and has exhibited locally since 1989.
The gallery is designed as a “public space gallery” that is accessible and “part of the fabric” of a visit to NTC. It is not separated from common areas by doors or borders and is designed to inspire communication and conversation. Art will be displayed in the main foyer of Building 201, formerly a Navy administration building built in 1941 that features an expansive exhibit space and stairwell designed in the Art Moderne style of architecture. With high walls and lots of natural light, it is an ideal setting to exhibit large format art and will be fit with high quality gallery system lighting. The gallery will share the building with ARTS: A Reason to Survive, KIT-Kids Included Together, the Jenna Druck Foundation and Solare Ristorante.
The Swift Gallery will be the 6th visual arts space to open at NTC, adding to the vibrancy and appeal of the project. The grand opening coincides with the newly launched Friday Night Liberty, a monthly open house to showcase the museums, galleries, arts and design studios, dance companies and other innovative organizations that call NTC Promenade home.
Top 5 Tips for Selecting an Event Venue
It can be overwhelming trying to select just the right venue for your next function, and the professional staff at The Venues of NTC Promenade can help you with the selection process. For instance, the features that are emphasized by one may not be even mentioned by another, making it an apples and oranges comparison.
We advise that you sit down and do some homework prior to looking at any venue. The more information you can provide, the better a venue can assist you. Flexibility is important for both venue and client. If you have some wiggle room, it can make your pricing more favorable.
- Define your event’s success. Are you having a conference, seminar, workshop or other meeting? Or perhaps it’s a celebratory event like a dinner, reception, dance or festival? Is it to be held indoors or outdoors? Once you know what kind of event you are having, think carefully and determine what success will look like. This will aid you in the next step in the process.
- Make a list of the criteria you will use in selecting the venue. Though price is usually given as the most important factor, it is rarely the most important. Other criteria that may play into the decision are: location; availability of audio visual or Wi-Fi; is the catering done in-house or choices; parking availability and cost; accessibility; and let’s not forget the chemistry between you and the venue staff.
- Know where all the costs are. Does the price cover just the location or will it include tables and chairs, a dance floor or stage, audio visual equipment, parking, directional signage, security, or on-site support? Food and beverage costs are another source for potential confusion. On top of the basic price, there could be tax, gratuity or service charge, china/flatware/glassware or other rentals, wait staff, linens, centerpieces and delivery charges. If you have an outdoor venue, you may need to figure in permits, power, protection from the elements, restrooms, trash receptacles, as well as the elements above.
- Know what kind of set-up you want and how many separate rooms you will need. Will there be one point of focus like a speaker or visual presentation? Do your attendees need to take notes? Are you planning a meal function where there will be a buffet, food stations or a served meal? Will there be dancing?
- Check on the rules, limitations and policies for each venue. Some places have restrictions on the time you can access a room before and after your event. Some have limits on who can cater and/or serve alcohol on site. Frequently there are rules about décor. What if you need to cancel or postpone the event? Will last minute changes mean problems or additional charges? Always read all the fine print prior to signing anything so you know in advance what you are getting into.
We hope you’ll find these tips helpful. They apply to any venue you may need for any type of function.
At The Venues of NTC Promenade, we pride ourselves on our customer service. We work with you as a partner to guide you through the selection process. We don’t want you to have any surprises along the way, especially when it comes to money.
If we can help you with a meeting or other type of event, please give us a call at (619) 573-9260 or check us out at www.ntcpromenade.com..
Cabaret Dances at Dance Place San Diego
Jean Isaacs San Diego Dance Theatre is turning Dance Place San Diego at NTC Promenade into the newest, smartest performance venue in San Diego with four evenings of contemporary dance this month. Enjoy a sophisticated, evening of modern dance, music, food and wine at San Diego's premier place for dance.
“This is the first series of regularly scheduled performances at the NTC Promenade Arts District,” said NTC Foundation Executive Director Alan Ziter. “While thousands of people come here for art, music and dance classes, we want NTC Promenade to evolve into a campus of performance venues as well, and this is a great start.”
Get ready for a sizzling, sexy and steamy program that takes its cue from the mood, lighting and atmosphere of an intimate cabaret nightclub. Performances are Saturdays, January 9, 16, 23 & 30 with two shows nightly at 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. For tickets go online or call (619) 225-1803. Tickets are $35 and include pre-show food and wine service in Dance Place Green Room, or $20 for Show only..
To The Point ...
January 1-31 Free Month at United States Karate Academy!
The US Karate Academy is offering a FREE MONTH in January to get the year started in the right direction. Also starting in January, cardio kickboxing classes will be held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10 a.m. Located at 2590 Truxtun Road, San Diego, CA 92106. For more information you may call Sal Covento, Chief Instructor and Owner, at (619) 224-2006 or visit www.USKASANDIEGO.com.
Jan 5, 12,19, 26 North Chapel Open House
Open houses at the North Chapel will be held every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Located at 2881 Roosevelt Dr., San Diego, CA 92106. For more information please visit http://www.thenorthchapel.com.
Jan 6-30 San Diego Water Color Society “Three...Two...One...” Exhibit
The San Diego Watercolor Society presents an exhibit of original watermedia paintings. Approximately 75 paintings created by SDWS members are on display and for sale. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 10am-4pm. Admission is free. The SDWS gallery is located at 2825 Dewey Road, SD 92106. For more information call (619) 876-4550 or www.sdws.org.
Jan 7,14,21 Families Helping Families Parent Support Group
The Jenna Druck Foundation’s FHF program offers support and educational services to families that have lost children. This weekly support group from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. is open to parents and those that support them on the journey of experiencing ‘the worst loss.’ Admission is free. They are located at 2820 Roosevelt Road, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92106. For further information call (619) 294-8000.
Jan 8 Friday Night Liberty
Monthly first-Friday evening of FREE open artist studios, galleries and events throughout NTC Promenade Arts & Cultural District. Free parking. Free Admission. The Freedom to explore, wander and enjoy our growing cultural campus. January 8th Calendar and Locations at Friday Night Liberty.
Jan 10, 17, 24, 31 Point Loma Certified Farmers Market & Artisan Fair
Point Loma Certified Farmers Market & Artisan Fair opens for the first time on Sunday, December 13 and every Sunday thereafter so long as there is support. Stock up on your holiday gift, food and produce needs and make it a weekly tradition. Sundays 9:30 am to 2:30 pm (rain or shine) in the barracks parking lot across from Ace Hardware. For more information or an application to participate, contact the market manager, Brian Beevers, at http://www.sdmarketmanager.com or [email protected].
Jan 11 – 15 San Diego Water Color Society Portrait and Figure Painting Workshop
Join us for a five day workshop with master portrait artist Ted Nuttall. Ted will show you how to edit, interpret and compose from a photograph. His lectures, demonstrations and instructions will help you capture and reveal the underlying character of your subject. The workshop takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $525/Member - $550/Non-Member. The SDWS gallery is located at 2825 Dewey Road, San Diego, CA 92106. For more info contact (619) 876.4550 or [email protected].
Jan 13 GMAT Review Information Night
Are you contemplating taking the GMAT exam and go onto graduate school? Manhattan GMAT is the nation’s leading GMAT preparation company, dedicated to helping students achieve their goals by providing the best curriculum and the highest-quality Instructors in the industry. A free information night will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the NTC Command Center, Meeting Room 3, 2640 Decatur Road, San Diego, CA 92106. To register for a course or the free event, call (800) 576-4628 or visit www.manhattangmat.com.
Be sure to check the NTC Promenade online calendar for all the happenings scheduled.
Please consider making a gift to the NTC Foundation to help us translate the community’s vision for NTC Promenade into a new Arts and Culture District that will increase the quality of life for all San Diegans. Donate now!
For information about lease space in the NTC Promenade, contact Leasing Specialist Sean Giffin at [email protected] or 619 573-9304.