ON POINT - December 2013

Friday Night Liberty- Shop for Holiday Gifts with a Creative Twist- December 6

Have the best holiday shopping experience of the season with open artist studios, galleries and museums at Friday Night Liberty on December 6 from 5pm to 8pm. Explore and wander our art-filled buildings as you shop for Holiday Gifts with a Creative Twist while enjoying the music of the Peace on Earth Carolers strolling around the NTC campus. Find unique gifts like handmade jewelry at Atelier de Voyages, which is offering 20-50% off; take home wreaths from Sophie’s Gallery or create a personal gift at the Hot Spot Studio. Visit SCOUT @ Quarters D for vintage and new holiday items. Spend some time in Building 201 learning custom wrapping techniques at Pachis or fill a box with gifts for a child in need at Banyan Tree! FNL is the perfect time to experience art, music and actually enjoy shopping for the holidays! Click here to see the entire program.

NTC Foundation Launches “Friends of NTC”– Announcing Charter Members!

“NTC wants You!”….to be a Recruit…..or a Commander…..or even an Admiral when you join the new “Friends of NTC.”

2013 is the 90th anniversary of the commissioning of the Naval Training Station, which opened in 1923. Now NTC Foundation is making history! We have 80 tenants in 16 renovated buildings; we’ve received great press in the past few months; and 350,000 people a year enjoy our thriving NTC Arts & Culture District at Liberty Station. People are learning, creating and enjoying themselves, and our Navy heritage is being preserved.

Don’t Be Left on Shore - It’s Not Too Late to Join! Your tax-deductible membership at any level will assure our historic buildings stay “shipshape” AND we can advance the success of the NTC Arts & Cultural District at Liberty Station. Memberships begin at the Recruit level all the way to Admiral’s Circle with a special Lifetime Member category. Donate now!

Welcome to our "Friends of NTC" Charter Members!
as of November 25, 2013

Lifetime Members
CDC Small Business Finance
Jim and Pam Hamilton Lester
Mike Martin and Lori Fleet Martin
Mark and C'Ann McMillin
Sandy Perlatti

Admiral's Circle
Roger and Lana Brenes
Carol and Martin Dickinson
Stephen and Lynne Doyle Family Foundation
Yvonne Finocchiaro
Leslie and Nick Frazee
Rich and Camille Gustafson
Jerry and Jill Hall Charitable Fund
Victoria Hamilton and Paul Hobson
Fran Holian
Hank and Genelle Killmar
Richard Ledford
Judy and Alex McDonald
Richard Opper and Ann Poppe
Randy Smerik/Solare Ristorante
Stone Brewing Co.
Gordon Swanson
Mitch Woodbury, NTC Foundation Board Member
Alan Ziter

Captains
Bramley Family Fund at the San Diego Foundation
Jack and Kathy Ensch
Kaye Hobson
Captain Susan Perry Tye, NC, USN

Commanders
Jim and Risa Beck
Bollotta Entertainment
Matt Brady
Mari Fink
Paula Lee Kincaid
Philip and Karen Martin
Barbara Ramsey
Glen Sullivan and Pam Fair
Kate and George Willis

Lieutenants
Snowie & Peter Abbott
Claire Anderson
Marilee Bankert
Kerri and David DeRosier
Epic Meetings & Events – Sue Gordon & Gretchen Yerke
Pamela Fairley
Mary Gregg
Pat and Jim Hansen
Kip & Angel Hanzal
Paul & Jill Hartley
Henry & Beverly Holt
Sharon LeeMaster
Leslie Meads
Recreational Music Center
Trudy Roux
Peter and Lea Seligman
Trish and Stephen Shushan
Jeanette Stevens
Susan Straub
Nancy Ziter

Recruits
Alvarez-Vinton Family
Aubrey Arnold
Sally Ault
Megan Baehrens
Ballast Point Gallery
Rebecca Bauer
Dr. and Mrs. Edgar D. Canada
Charlotte Cagan
Abby Esty
Kathy Etsy
Pat Fitzmorris & Tom Haine
David and Leslie Gereghty
Tara Graviss
Bill and Marti Klees
Klonie Kunzel
La Onda Arte Latino
Joani Nelson
Point Loma Tea
Liz Ramirez
Judy Reeves
Adele Richert
Toni Robin - TR/PR Public Relations
Jay and Wendy Rosenthal
Whitney Roux
Geralyn Schulkind
Monique Straub Studio/Gallery
Christopher Tye
David Tye
Joel Young
Larry Zeiger

Click here to Enlist in the Friends of NTC!

New Sculpture Engages NTC Visitors!

NTC has a rare opportunity to provide a temporary home to a unique sculpture from the inventor of balancing sculptures – Jerzy Kedziora. Entitled With Anchor, the sculpture is balancing above the Sybil Stockdale Rose Garden at the NTC Command Center. It’s imagery with the dangling anchor is a fitting juxtaposition with the anchor insignia on the NTC Command Center and the white anchor installed in Luce Court. Kedziora’s Balancing Sculptures are installed all around the world. Their installation in Balboa Park recently was a highpoint of the International San Diego Art Fair. The NTC sculpture is installed in partnership with the Alexander Salazar Gallery of San Diego and will be in place through May 2014, or until it is sold. To inquire about purchase, contact Salazar Gallery at 619 531-8996. Find out more about the artist at www.jerzykedziora.com

NTC Completes Final Luce Auditorium Study – Results Discouraging – Next Steps?

For the past six year several community performing arts and cinema organizations have been working with the NTC Foundation to determine if historic Luce Auditorium at the former Naval Training Center could be transformed into a viable Performing Arts & Cinema Center for San Diego: viable in terms of physical layout and financial sustainability.

It’s been a long process, with lots of input, two major studies funded by numerous donors, design work, historic review and construction cost estimates.

We’ve now completed the final important phase of our studies - the Operating Model Study. We want to share with our supporters the results about financial sustainability, which are discouraging, and tell you about future opportunities.

Overall, the physical concept of creating a 3-venue performing arts and cinema center in the current large 1800-seat venue is physically feasible.

However, with regards to the annual cost to run the venue, what we learned in the Operating Model Study from AlbertHall & Associates is that based on models of other successful Cinema Centers, Dance Centers and Performing Arts Centers around the country, an NTC Performing Arts & Cinema Center in Luce Auditorium would require a significant amount of annual contributed income each year to operate the facility, on top of the $15 million needed to renovate the building. Read the Luce Operating Model Study Here

The NTC Foundation has a 10-year history of financing and fundraising for the NTC Arts & Culture District. And while we have secured $63 million to renovate and operate the 16 buildings we have already opened with our 80 artists, arts groups and community organizations, we don’t have the ability to take on a Performing Arts & Cinema Center that requires significant fundraising each year just to keep it open.

Because of the projected need for significant annual fundraising, our NTC Board of Directors - reluctantly – can no longer pursue this option for Luce Auditorium under our auspices.

“We took a long hard look at transforming Luce Auditorium into a Performing Arts and Cinema Center,” said NTC Foundation Executive Director Alan Ziter. “But in the end, it didn’t make financial sense to invest money to renovate Luce, and not have the certainty of significant donated funds required to operate it each year. It’s disappointing for our board, and our dance and film groups.

Next Steps
Luce Auditorium remains a very important building for the NTC Arts & Culture District. We will now look at other reuse options for Luce that we have held off on advancing while we were completing the study. Our goals are to find a use for Luce that 1) adds value to the community; 2) preserves the historic features of the building; and, ideally, 3) generates rental income for the NTC Foundation to support our NTC Arts & Culture District and the programs that advance the artists, dance groups and community groups that are in residence.

Could another group could step forward and advance plans for a Performing Arts & Cinema Center? Our answer is, “Yes. The building is available until another viable plan is presented.” The outcome of our Operating Model Study doesn’t negate the need for a quality dance and cinema center for San Diego. And other innovative solutions could exist at NTC.

Thank You
We want to thank the many people who have helped support our efforts through contributions and commitments of time and information that allowed us to thoroughly vet the feasibility of this opportunity. We especially want to thank our study consultant Tom Hall from AlbertHall Associates, John Malashock, Jean Isaacs, Robin Morgan, Javier Velasco, LeeAnn Kim, Andy Friedenberg, Ethan Van Thillo, our architect Chris Bitter, and all our donors.

For more background, below are links to the Needs and Use Assessment Study, and the Design Concepts created for us by Chris Bittner at OBR Architecture.
Luce Auditorium Reuse Feasibility Study
Luce Auditorium Design Concepts

Donors Support Liberty School Art Programs for At Risk Youth at NTC

Liberty School is back in session at NTC thanks to support from our donors. Since September 2007, Liberty School has provided at risk public school students an innovative learning experience during the school day, using the resources of dozens of arts and culture organizations on the NTC campus. By using the arts, students are encouraged to foster their own creativity and explore new directions in their own lives. It is fitting that training programs still continue at what was the former Naval Training Center, only now they are training for art, music and dance.

This year, 3rd grade students from Dewey Elementary School in Point Loma (mostly children of active military personnel) come to NTC one afternoon each week throughout the school year. Many live in military housing. Their families struggle financially. They struggle emotionally, with loved ones deployed for long periods of time, not knowing if they will return. They struggle socially, frequently limiting their activities to the comfort zone of base housing where they can interact with others who in similar situations. Their children struggle in school because frequent moves mean new schools, new curriculum, and the need to make new friends. Many have parents who are very young and may have had little success in their own schooling.

Creating art – whether it is dance, a painting, or a piece of music – gives children a feeling of self-worth, and offers them the chance to express themselves in a supportive environment.

A Personal Account
Last spring a Dewey third grader was observed during an art class. His work was remarkable. Composition, line, fine motor control were all far superior to any other work in the room. When asked about the student’s obvious talent the teacher’s reply was heart breaking. She said that yes this child was talented - art was the only time he shined. The student struggled with all regular school work and unfortunately the only art he received was at NTC! Imagine being in the third grade and struggling with everything that happens at school. How wonderful it must be to have one place where you are successful. Liberty School provided him with that one time each week when he is not struggling – he could shine. Reading was difficult, math was hard, but Art – that was the place when he was doing wonderful work!

As Dewey instructor John Francis said, “The program helps to improve the students’ intrinsic interpretation of what they learn. It helps them to give the facts and figures they learn an internal yardstick or emotional context. I have been amazed at how quickly the students can interpret emotional communications through dance, in a way that only a few high readers can achieve through the written word."

Our students also share their enthusiasm for the Liberty School:

“Liberty School made me realize that I can do more things than thought I could,” said Joaquin. Keiana tells us, “I did not know how much of an artist I was until I stepped foot in Liberty School. I also didn’t know how much art there was around me.” And Raul, also from Dewey said, “I learned that I’m good at the stuff I never did in my life. My favorite was watercolor because I got to learn how to paint with watercolor. I have never tried and now it’s one of my favorite things to do.”

Our students wouldn’t be able to benefit from this program without community support. Thank you to our Liberty School Community Partners for 2013: Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Club, Epstein Family Foundation, Martin C. Dickinson, San Diego Gas & Electric, US Bank, Cushman Family Fund, Kinder Morgan Foundation, Target Stores, San Diego Lions Welfare Foundation, Community Service Association and Gold Diggers.

If you or your organization would like to be a sponsor for the 2013-14 School Year, please contact Alan Ziter, Executive Director, NTC Foundation at 619 573-9315 or [email protected]

Make a donation for the 2013-14 Liberty School Program.

NTC Director Alan Ziter Honored as “Advocate for the Arts”

NTC Foundation Executive Director Alan Ziter was honored November 25th as Advocate for the Arts 2013 at the BRAVO San Diego Awards, which took place at the County Administration Building. Supervisor Dave Roberts presented the award to Alan for his many years of arts advocacy leadership not only in San Diego but also California.

Alan is a founding board member and former chair of the California Arts Advocates, for which he is a past Chair. He is also a founder in 1989 and is current co-chair of the San Diego Regional Arts and Culture Coalition. He currently serves on the board of the San Diego Tourism Authority and served 3 years on the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce board. He has been Executive Director of the NTC Foundation since 2004. Prior to NTC, Alan was executive director of the San Diego Performing Arts League for 18 years.

In 2013 NTC Welcomed 21 New Resident Groups

2013 was a busy year for NTC at Liberty Station with 12 Friday Night Liberties, 3 sessions of Liberty School and 21 new tenants. NTC’s campus is home to a diverse group of artists, galleries, nonprofits who works encompasses everything from veterans, to environmental stewardship, education and more!

Atelier de Voyages– Atelier de Voyages (“workshop of journeys”) represents the next step in artist Adele Richert’s own creative journey. The artist paints still life and en plein air landscapes in oil on canvas or canvas board. Her wildlife art is created using pen and ink, graphite and mixed media. Wearable art is designed from lovely gemstones, many of which have mystical, or healing, properties.

California Ballet – From its inception in 1968, California Ballet Company has been a fertile ground for the re-staging of the demanding classics and for the creation of its own trail-blazing works. Later on, the CBC bestowed on emerging young choreographers, many from San Diego, an opportunity to create and to develop through the company their own personal dance statements. In addition, the CBC has influenced, nurtured and enriched the lives of generations of committed dancers, many of whom are now performing across four continents. http://www.californiaballet.org/

Cindy Parsley Studio + Gallery – Cindy Parsley’s Studio + Gallery explores uplifting, bold, colorful and vibrant paintings, using a blend of acrylic and mixed media techniques. Her images draw inspiration from the meaning and heart of people, nature and movement. From realism to abstractions her playful curiosity uncovers and connects with one’s soul. www.cindyparsley.com

Guitars in the Classroom – Guitars in the Classroom (GITC), is an innovative educational not-for-profit, based in San Diego, California and serving in 32 states. Our mission is to train, inspire and equip teachers to integrate music-making as a teaching strategy across all academic subject areas in Pk-12 classrooms. GITC provides content-based, artistic strategies and hands-on instruction to educators through group training and in-classroom coaching using the guitar, ukulele and American folk, roots and Latin musical traditions. The work engages every style and level of learner and boosts student participation and performance across the curriculum. Classroom singing and songwriting are at the core of our approach " bringing music to the heart of learning through the art of teaching www.guitarsintheclassroom.org 858- 353- 5466

Hire Heroes USA – Founded in 2007, Hire Heroes USA (Hire Heroes) is a national, nonprofit organization headquartered in Alpharetta, Ga. Hire Heroes is dedicated to creating job opportunities for US military veterans and their spouses through personalized employment training and corporate engagement. Hire Heroes has gained national-recognition for its comprehensive “recruitment to placement” continuum of veteran assistance and corporate engagement, resulting in one veteran hired every business day. www.hireheroesusa.org

June Rubin Studio/Gallery – June Rubin, an accomplished artist and educator creates sophisticated vivid and imaginative watercolors and collages including fantasy, still life, figurative, and landscape. Monthly First Friday receptions from 5:00 to 8:00 pm are an excellent time to meet the artist and enjoy the art. www.junerubin.com 858-229-4571

La Onda Arte Latino – After years of Curating art exhibits for the San Diego Latino Film Festival, San Diego Repertory Theater and various galleries and events in L.A. and San Diego “La Onda Arte Latino” has found a home at NTC/Liberty Station. Along with Claudia Zepeda of “Indigenous wear” and Joni Nunez of “La Chica Boutique” Andy Gonzalez will be bringing Chicano/Latino Artists and Artisans from L.A., San Diego, Baja and other cool places. Our Gallery will feature fine art, jewelry, designer clothing and one of a kind art gifts that you won’t find anywhere else. https://www.facebook.com/laondaart

Laurie Kmen Studio/Gallery – Laurie Kmen is a mixed media artist with a focus on handmade paper and painting in water media. She teaches workshops on mixed media painting techniques, book-binding and papermaking using plant fibers and recycled materials. Further information can be found on her website at www.imakepaper.com

Market Street Group –Is an association of artists who work together in a share studio space. Going strong for over a quarter century, the Market Street Group has been home to members of all ability levels, form those beginning their art ventures to artists with national and international acclaim. Numerous well-known San Diego artists started their artistic careers with the Market Street Group.

Melissa Biador Photography – Photographer Melissa Biador specializes in capturing weddings and lifestyle portraiture. Her approach to photographing weddings is candid, photojournalistic and modern. Graphic designer and paper extraordinaire Nichole Rocero offers her talents to create beautiful digital artwork and paper goods for brides and commercial clients alike. Desiree Logue-Champagne is a floral and event stylist providing unique floral pieces for your wedding or event. Together, our mission is to provide our clients with excellent client care. http://mbiadorweddings.com

Melissalu Photography – Melissa is a lifestyle photography studio, specializing in newborns, babies, high school seniors, and families. http://melissalu.com/

National Comedy Theatre – The National Comedy Theatre is San Diego's acclaimed improv comedy show and longest running show in the history of the city. At our Improv Training Center at NTC we offer students the opportunity to study improvised comedy with members of the professional cast. We offer adult classes for all levels of experience as well as classes for kids and teens. www.nationalcomedy.com 619-295-4999

National Women Veterans Association – The National Women Veterans Association of America (NWVAA) is a nonprofit organization that acts as an advocate and resource for current military and veteran women. They provide assistance to the government’s veteran’s service claims, offer workshops on issues faced by military women, and act as a resource for housing, job and health care options.www.nationalwomenveterans.us

Outside the Lens – Outside the Lens delivers innovative classes in digital media to underserved and at-risk K-12 students throughout San Diego County in weekly classes, after-school programs, summer sessions and workshops. It is dedicated to a future where all youth will have the education and technology necessary to understand, evaluate and create media. www.outsidethelens.org

Paul Dean Studio Gallery – Paul uses watercolor in its most serendipitous form; fascinated by the spontaneity of the media, he often lets the material itself provide the brushstroke. Taking the eye beyond every day perception, his palate is at times subtle and at other times vibrant. Paul still works three days per week as a dermatology expert at Grossmont Dermatology. Paul has studied watercolor for over 25 years with such well-known artists as Robert Landry, Frank Francese, Milfor Zornes, Ed Whitney, Tony van Hasselt, Tony Couch. His work can also be viewed at his medical office, Espresso Mio Café, and online at Dean-Art.com

Portraits 4 All – Commissioned portraits from your favorite photos. Oil, watercolor or charcoal. Imagine what we can do you for you! Call for appointment, 310-733-9889, or drop by to see examples in Suite 212, Barracks 19. www.nancytokos.blogspot.com or www.portraits4all.com

Rebecca Bauer Studio/Gallery – Artist Rebecca Bauer creates large scale original paintings using a variety of mediums with an emphasis on painted collage elements. She strives to create a sense of depth and dimension to her work as she attempts to capture the essence of energy that is behind all life forces. http://rebeccabauerfineart.com/

San Diego Habitat Conservancy – San Diego Habitat Conservancy’s mission is to acquire, manage and protect land in perpetuity that supports sensitive habitats and species, and to educate and inspire people and communities as stewards and advocates of their natural environment. SDHC is one of only a few non-profit habitat managers working with developers, municipalities, and agencies throughout the region to strike a critical balance between development and the protection of our valuable habitat. SDHC currently manages over 400 acres of open space and ensures that the preserves are ecologically viable with quality habitat that adds value to regional conservation efforts. http://www.sdhabitat.org/

San Diego Writers Inc. – San Diego Writers, Ink (SDWI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering classes, groups, workshops, readings and other literary events at The Ink Spot and other locations throughout San Diego County. San Diego Writers, Ink, nurtures writers and fosters a literary community by Serving as a hub for the literary community, Promoting literature, Providing artistic development for writers at all levels, and Facilitating artistic collaboration. http://www.sandiegowriters.org/

The Art of Tesa – The Art of Tesa Studio/Gallery showcase the fine art of artist Tesa Micaels. Tesa works primarily in oils, painting realistic landscapes and abstracts that bring in the elements of the earth. Her landscapes are vibrant; encompass rich colors with strong values bringing depth and emotion into each painting. Her abstracts focus on bringing elements of the earth into her paintings such as sea shells and semi-precious stones. www.Artoftesa.com 303-746-3229

The Energy Coalition – The Energy Coalition was founded in 1975 to mobilize, educate, inform and empower communities to change the way they use and think about water, energy and other resources. The Energy Coalition meets its goals by developing cooperative programs to reduce energy demand, championing new practices and behaviors in the areas of water and energy conservation and use, and developing and implementing educational initiatives.www.energycoalition.org 619-223-1339

To The Point ...

December 6 5-8pm Friday Night Liberty
Open galleries, artist studios and museums along with the best holiday shopping experience! Shop for Holiday Gifts with a Creative Twist, while enjoying the music of the Peace on Earth Carolers and Guitars in the Classroom in Barracks 19. Shop for unique gifts like handmade jewelry at Atelier de Voyages, who is offering 20-50% off, take home wreaths by talented artists with developmental disabilities from Sophie’s Gallery or create a personal gift at the Hot Spot Studio. Spend some time in Building 201 learning custom wrapping techniques at Pachis or fill a box with gifts for a child in need at Banyan Tree! FNL is the perfect time to experience art, music and actually enjoy shopping for the holidays. Start you night at 2640 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego
https://www.ntclibertystation.com/what.php

December 8 North Park Craft Mafia
Shop at our "Anti-Mall" event! Here you will find unique, handcrafted, items from local artists and crafters.
Happening at the McMillin Event Center- 2875 Dewey Road. San Diego
11AM-5PM, this is a Free event.
sandiegonorthparkcraftmafia.com/HHL/index.html

December 9 Covered California for Artists, Dancers, and Performers
Confused about Health Care Reform - commonly known as Obamacare? The Actors Fund in partnership with Covered California will host a special workshop for San Diego artists, dancers, performers and others who are freelancers and self-employed to help figure out how to get affordable health insurance with the help of tax credits and federal subsidies. The attached flyer has details about the Workshop on Monday, December 9 at 1pm in Barracks 17. Sponsored by Bravo School of Art and NTC.
Happening at: Barracks 17 Event Center- 2710 Historic Decatur Road. San Diego
1PM; this is a Free event.
www.facebook.com/NTCisArtsandCulture#!/events/738256966203045/

Be sure to check the NTC at Liberty Station 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 at Liberty Station into a new Arts and Cultural District that will increase the quality of life for all San Diegans. 

For information about lease space in NTC at Liberty Station, contact Leasing Specialist Sean Giffin at [email protected] or 619-573-9304.