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Two Art Exhibits Set to Open at the Bankhead Gallery

We are excited to announce that two separate art exhibits curated by the Bothwell Arts Center will open Wednesday, March 6 at the Bankhead Theater Gallery. “Wearable Art” will feature multimedia creations from coats and shirts to hats and handbags by 20 artisans. The pieces will be on display until April 27 when they will be modeled at a runway reception. “Shangri-La” is a smaller exhibit of 15 Thangka, exquisite hand-painted works from Tibet, that will be located within the Founder’s Room of the Bankhead Theater lobby.

Keep reading to learn more about these exhibits.

Check Out The “Wearable Art” Exhibit

More than 35 wearable works of art will fill the Gallery at the Bankhead Theater starting this Wednesday. In addition to the aforementioned coats, shirts, hats, and handbags, attendees can also browse jackets, scarves, purses, jewelry, and more. This free exhibit is open to the public and will run through April 27.

In addition to regular exhibit hours, there will be two special events to view the art. A free Artists’ Reception will be held on Saturday, March 23 from 1 to 3 p.m., providing an opportunity to admire the works and meet some of the artists. There will be wine, light refreshments, and the lively music of Tropical Take Out, a local ukulele band with a fun, upbeat take on classic rock, island, and contemporary music.

The “Wearable Art:” exhibit will close on Saturday, April 27 with a “Walk of the Wearables” runway reception from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Presented in conjunction with the Bankhead’s “Art & Wine Intertwined,” all the art pieces will be modeled on a runway in the Bankhead lobby. The free events also include music and refreshments. Keep in mind that many of the unique works on display are available for sale and can be picked up after the show closes.

The Bankhead Gallery, located in the lobby of the theater at 2400 First Street in Livermore, is open Monday through Wednesday, as well as Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. and by appointment.

Make Plans To See The “Shangri-La” Exhibit

A spectacular display of Asian art will be exhibited within the Gallery at the Bankhead Theater for the next two months. Mounted in the Founder’s Room off the lobby, “Shangri-La” will include 15 handpainted Thangka from Tibet. Curated by the Bothwell Arts Center and coordinated by Laihao Jiang, the exhibit is a unique showcase of the exquisitely detailed work of artisans from Ganden Sumtseling Monastery. The exhibit opens March 6 in conjunction with the aforementioned “Wearable Art” exhibit in the Gallery.

According to local artist Laihao Jiang, Thangka is representative of the spiritual traditions of generations after generations of the people of Tibet. The wisdom and teachings of the Buddha, Prince Siddhartha Gautama, have deeply influenced the evolution of Asian civilizations over the past 2,500 years. Buddhism has played an important role in cultivating values and beliefs, fields of language and literature, development of art, and various aspects of everyday life.

Preservation of the traditional Tibetan art of painting Thangkas can be traced back to as early as the Songtsen Gampo period. All Thangka have a Buddhism theme with content that includes such subjects as images of deities and Buddhas, historical events, and depictions of a mandala (imaginary places used during meditation).

Typically, cotton canvases are painted with rare minerals such as gold, silver, pearl, agate, turquoise, malachite, cinnabar, and previous plant extracts such as saffron, rhubarb, and indigo. The artists must fulfill the spiritual practice requirement and follow sacred rules, based on the Sutra of Statue Making in Buddhism.

Said Jiang, “These ritualistic functions and methods of Thangka painting help bring the spiritual realm and significance to the material world, just like rain after a long drought.”

The collection on display at the Bankhead Theater comes from Shangri-La, a place that was sought after for close to a century. Located in Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province, Jiang says it is the harmonious paradise as described in fiction and carries on the authentic lineage of Thangka painting.

“We were honored Tenzin Lama from the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery was a consultant on the exhibit,” added Jiang. “We hope these Thangkas will help visitors experience the energy accumulated through thousands of years from this pure land.”

Each piece in the collection is priced and represents a unique chance to purchase a hand-painted Thangka.

Contact the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center for more information.  

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Bankhead Theater
2400 First Street
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Our Team

Directory

Executive Director
Chris Carter
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Director of Finance and Administration
Reanna Bradford
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Director of Marketing
Ruth Egherman
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Director of Operations
Eric Johnson
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Production Manager
Gary Brunclik
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Assistant Production Manager
Rachel Anderson
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Front of House Supervising Manager/Volunteer Coordinator
Carol Edwards
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Facility Manager and IT Coordinator
Julio Gomez
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Box Office Manager
Debra Olson
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Visual Arts & Education Manager
Anne Giancola
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Development Manager
Brittany Mulgrew
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Front of House Supervising Manager/Volunteer Coordinator
Bernice LaRosa
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Programs Coordinator
Treg Van Dyke
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Marketing Manager
Andrew Kracht
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Social Media Manager
Allie Lopiano-Hastey
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Food and Beverage Manager
Ann Rice
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Development Assistant
Tracy Sahn
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Visitor Center Supervisor
Susan Miller
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RESIDENT COMPANIES

Get to Know Our Resident Companies

Home to ten Resident Companies with over 270 combined years of artistic experience, the Bankhead Theater’s state-of-the-art facilities enable these organizations to grow artistically and institutionally, develop audiences and collaborate on key projects while maintaining their respective missions and identities.

Cantabella Children’s Chorus

Cantabella Children’s Chorus is a non-profit organization located in the Livermore Tri-Valley. CCC strives to foster and promote the appreciation of choral music in the community through performances at various local corporate and civic functions and churches but above all to have fun.

Del Valle Fine Arts

Del Valle Fine Arts has been presenting outstanding classical music concerts in Livermore for over 35 years. This highly-regarded series offers dazzling performances by acclaimed professional chamber music groups and soloists from throughout North America and beyond. A particular objective of DVFA is to introduce young persons to the appreciation of fine music. To that end, children are admitted free to its concerts, and full-time students above high school can procure tickets at a special reduced price.

Livermore-Amador Symphony

Livermore-Amador Symphony – The symphony offers four concerts a year, as well as a Pops fundraiser. Symphony Guild – If you enjoy LAS concerts, join like-minded people of the Symphony Guild and support this community orchestra! Guild members encourage interest in the symphony and sponsor fund-raising activities. The Livermore-Amador Symphony has received funding from: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, City of Livermore Commission for the Arts, City of Livermore Tourism and Special Event Fund, Livermore Cultural Arts Council, Clorox Company Technical Center-Pleasanton, Target and Livermore Rotary.

Livermore Valley Opera

Livermore Valley Opera combines the talents and expertise of professional music, stage and chorus directors, principal singers, musicians, and designers with the dedication and practical abilities of a volunteer board, adult chorus, stage crew, props master, stitchers, and set builders. Each fall and spring, LVO presents locally produced, fully staged operas with orchestra. Additionally, LVO presents special concerts, events and fundraisers in the winter and “Opera in the Vineyard” in the summer. LVO promotes local talent and attracts outstanding Bay Area singers, directors and conductors.

Pacific Chamber Orchestra

The Pacific Chamber Orchestra (PCO) is a 40 piece symphony orchestra composed of professional musicians from throughout the Bay Area. It was founded over 20 years ago by its talented conductor and musical director, Lawrence Kohl. The orchestra combines the precision of a small ensemble with surprising dynamic range and power. PCO is notable for innovative and insightful interpretations of music of all eras.

Rae Dorough Speaker Series

The Rae Dorough Speaker Series features leading thinkers in science, literature and the arts who discuss topical issues of particular interest to the Livermore community in the intimacy of the Bankhead Theater.

Sycamore Strings Academy / Bothwell Arts Center

The Sycamore Strings Academy (formerly Suzuki Strings Academy) carries on a tradition from 1984 of quality music education in the Tri-Valley area. The Academy includes certified Suzuki instruction on string instruments, licensed Kindermusik classes and a popular guitar program. Students perform across the region in year-round concert series.

Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre

Formerly Pleasanton Playhouse, Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre presents a variety of audience-pleasing musical theater. As a non-profit, volunteer regional arts organization, we continue our mission to provide affordable quality theatre, training and cultural experiences, with a focus on children and family participation.

Valley Concert Chorale

The Valley Concert Chorale is a chorus of about 40 singers, many of whom live in the Tri-Valley area, including Livermore, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Danville. VCC’s director is John Bush and featured pianist is Daniel Glover. If you would like to sing with VCC, why not arrange for an audition? You can audition at any time, and then join the chorus at the beginning of the next quarter.

Valley Dance Theatre

Valley Dance Theatre is a non-profit organization committed to providing exceptional dance instruction and productions to the Tri-Valley Area. Their focus is in classical ballet and modern dance. Each year they present a full-length Nutcracker with a live orchestra, and a Spring show with varying themes.

accessibility at the bankhead

Accessibility

TICKETS
Wheelchair accessible seats cannot be purchased online. You must call our Ticket Office in advance at 925.373.6800 for seating and to ensure your needs are thoroughly met.

DROP OFF/PICK-UP
There is a drop-off/pick-up area located on Railroad Avenue, on the right side of the street, before you reach the stoplight to enter the parking garage.

PARKING
Handicapped-reserved spaces are located on the lower level of the Livermore Valley Center parking garage.

SEATING
An elevator is located on the West end of the main lobby.

LISTENING DEVICES
Assistive listening devices are available free of charge from the House Manager’s Office in the lobby. Please let us know when purchasing your ticket of your special needs.

RESTROOMS
Fully accessible restrooms are located in the main lobby and in the upper lobby.

Support the Arts

Inscribed Pavers

Dedicate one of the decorative paver blocks that frame and define the entry from the Livermore Valley Plaza to the Bankhead Theater. Each size allows you to personalize your dedication and/or message. Once you’ve placed your order we’ll contact you to help you choose the exact message for the paver you’d like to donate.

LOGO & BRICK ART
Permanently commemorate a company or brand, feature your family crest or create your own custom design while supporting the arts with an engraved logo or artistic brick. The image will be etched in black on a sand-colored paver (6×12 or 12×12) or light gray granite tile (24×24). They are visible to thousands of people each year attending a variety of events and performances on the Livermore Valley Plaza and in the Bankhead Theater.

24″ x 24″ – Madden Family Courtyard – $1,500
12″ x 12″ – Livermore Valley Plaza $1,000
Logo Art Brick – Livermore Valley Plaza $500
6″ x 12″ – Livermore Valley Plaza $375
6″ x 9″ – Livermore Valley Plaza $150


PERSONALIZED SEATS
Seat donations will be recognized by a commemorative medallion on your chosen chair in the Bankhead Theater as well as on the Donor Wall in the Lobby.

Grand Tier Seats $5,000
Central Tier Seats $2,500
Upper Tier Seats $1,000

Please note: donating a personalized seat does not guarantee the right to sit in that seat for a given performance.

Leave a Legacy

With a legacy gift to Livermore Valley Arts, you can be sure your charitable intentions will be realized while achieving the most favorable income tax benefits available. We are happy to meet with you to talk about your intentions and situation. However, we strongly recommend you consult with your estate planning professional or tax advisor to fulfill your goals for your financial portfolio and tax needs.

Making a legacy gift to the Center also qualifies you to join the Legacy Society, a group of philanthropic and pioneering members who share a strong bond with LVPAC and a desire to ensure a meaningful, lasting home for the arts in Livermore Valley.

If you have already included LVA in your plans (or if you intend to), please let us know. Contact Chris Carter, Executive Director, at [email protected] or call (925) 583-2311.

We accept a range of planned giving options:

In Your Will
The simplest way to leave a planned gift is to make a bequest including specific language in your will or living trust naming LVA as the recipient. The following is an example of suggested language to include in your will/trust:

“I give and bequeath to the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center, a California non-profit corporation, located at 2400 First Street, Livermore, CA 94550, the sum of $____, or ______% of my estate, to be used for the accomplishment of its general purpose (or for a specific purpose as indicated).”

Charitable Gift Annuities
A charitable gift annuity (CGA) is the easiest way to create dependable income for life and help the Center. Please note that LVA does not administer CGAs but can recommend an administrator.

Charitable Trusts
A Charitable Remainder Trust or Charitable Lead Trust allows you to receive an estate or gift tax deduction and create a source of income for you or your loved ones while supporting the Center. Please note that LVA does not administer these trusts but can recommend an administrator.

Real Estate/Appreciated Assets
A variety of assets can be donated such as real estate, appreciated securities, and tangible personal property such as art or jewelry. Donating appreciated assets can help offset income and capital gains taxes. If you are contemplating gifting an investment property or a vacation home, a gift of real estate offers an excellent option for tax-wise giving. You can also include the Center as a beneficiary of real estate or appreciated assets in your will. Please be aware that as part of our gift acceptance policy, all gifts of real estate, appreciated assets and tangible personal property are examined on a case-by-case basis.

Retirement Plan Donations or Life Insurance Policies
You can name Livermore Valley Arts as the beneficiary of your IRA, 401k or 403b retirement plan or life insurance policy. This is a simple, effective way to support the arts while reducing or eliminating significant, often unanticipated tax penalties.