20 August 2008 No Comment

Contact: tradefair@rpna.org • 562-366-8869 (press inquiries only)

* SAVE THE DATE *
RESTORATION TRADE FAIR & FUNDRAISER SLATED FOR SEPT. 21, 2008
AT LUTHER BURBANK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, LONG BEACH
Sponsored By Rose Park Neighborhood Association (RPNA) With Funds Used For Education & Restoration Activities

Long Beach, CA (July 17, 2008)—The first-ever “Restoration Trade Fair & Fundraiser: An Annual Event of the Rose Park Neighborhood Association” is slated for September 21st, 2008 in Long Beach, CA (9am – 4pm) and will be hosted at the Luther Burbank Elementary School (4th Street and Junipero Avenue).

The mission is to be a one-stop event to provide info and resources for homeowners in historic districts. The trade fair will feature approximately 50 specialty vendors and exhibitors, all knowledgeable in historic guidelines, plus guest speakers throughout the day. The event is a fundraiser for the RPNA (a 501c non-profit organization) and the “Eye on Design” architectural curriculum program currently offered by the Arts Council for Long Beach at the Luther Burbank Elementary School. Funds will be used for education and participation in RPNA restoration activities. Although the focus is on Rose Park historic districts, all Long Beach historic districts are invited to participate. The event is Free to RPNA members and all children under 18; $5 for all others. For more information updated event details and current list of participating vendors, go to: www.rpna.org.

Featured speakers include Jan Ostashay from the Historic Preservation Office “What it means to live in an historic district”; and Karen Highberger from the Historic Preservation Commission— leading a panel of experts with an overview on how to make historically appropriate restoration decisions. Leslie Markle, Director of Public Art & Design, Arts Council for Long Beach will discuss Burbank’s unique curriculum plus present this year’s public arts winners.

Scheduled exhibits include the Historical Society of Long Beach “On how to research the history of your home”, Sarah Vinci’s sepia photography featuring historic architecture in Rose Park, Long Beach Historic Districts booth “Historic Districts: Celebrate our Past, Preserve our Future”, Rose Park Streetscapes by Patrick Farrand, artist and the LBCC Horticulture Club “Water Wise Plants”.

The Restoration Trade Fair & Fundraiser is pleased to have support from the following Community Sponsors/Contributors: Long Beach 2nd District Councilmember Suja Lowenthal, City of Long Beach, Long Beach Historic Preservation Office, Arts Council for Long Beach, Historical Society of Long Beach, California Heights Neighborhood Association, and UPS (@ 7th and Redondo); Media Sponsors: Home Improvement, American Bungalow, and Cottages & Bungalows magazines.

 

About the “Eye on Design” Program
Eye on Design is a public art education program for third-graders that encourages civic involvement, critical thinking and creative problem-solving through a customized residency program. Eye on Design guides students through the same process a public artist follows to develop a public art concept and seek an art commission. The program educates students about their community which fosters a greater appreciation for art in the public sphere. Eye on Design’s interdisciplinary approach incorporates language arts, history/social science and the visual and performing arts. Students apply their learning to solve “real-life” problems and must actively utilize art theory, reading, writing, speaking and math skills through the work they do. Eye on Design is a substantive and intricate program that empowers students to create positive change in their own community.

Although facilitated by the Arts Council for Long Beach, the program’s success is grounded in the collective expertise and commitment of a host of hand-selected community partners who work collaboratively with the Arts Council to present a balanced program built on each partners’ strengths. The initial concept for Eye on Design was originally conceived through the Arts Council’s unique affiliation with the Smithsonian Institution and, in particular, through its involvement with the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution. In the summer of 2005, Arts Council staff members and Long Beach partners participated in the Cooper-Hewitt’s training program, City of Neighborhoods: Civic Engagement Through Design. This training provided the seed of thought for the creation of Eye on Design, a formalized public art education program that was tailored specifically for Long Beach and which centers on direct instruction for children. Eye on Design has a three-year process. Eye on Design programs are currently implemented at the Luther Burbank Elementary School (2006 – 2009) and Dooley Elementary School (2007 – 2010). The pilot program was initiated at the Thomas A. Edison Elementary School (2004 – 2007). www.artslb.org

 

About The RPNA
The historic Rose Park neighborhood is located in the City of Long Beach, California and just blocks from the beautiful Pacific Ocean between Cherry Avenue and Redondo Avenue to the west and east, and Fourth Street and Tenth Street to the south and north. The icon of our neighborhood is a small historic park located on Orizaba Avenue at Eighth Street.

The Rose Park Neighborhood Association is a recognized a nonprofit volunteer organization organized to represent the residents of this area and to protect and promote its interests. Our Association is responsible for one of the largest geographical association areas in the city, with more than 22,000 residents and two designated historic districts. www.rpna.org.