How to Paint Classes Proposed in Cathedral City

Public Arts Commission recommends paying for Cathedral City Senior Center’s production of three online “How to Paint Classes”

CATHEDRAL CITY – To help keep seniors active, engaged and connected, especially during the pandemic, the Cathedral City Senior Center has offered online fitness, meditation, virtual travel and cooking classes. Now comes “How to Paint Classes” – if the City Council approves a $934 expenditure.

On Wednesday, the City Council will be asked to approve the Public Arts Commission recommendation to pay for the Cathedral City Senior Center’s production of three online “How to Paint Classes.”

This would be the Public Arts Commission’s first public arts education expenditure in FY 2020/2021.

The Art in Public Places fund does not come from taxes.  When commercial or industrial development occurs in the city, the developer pays a fee equal to 1 percent of the value of the project. Developers also have the option of placing a piece of art in the city of a value equivalent to what the fee would have been, subject to the approval of the Arts Commission. Historically, most developers have chosen to pay the fee, instead of purchasing an art piece themselves. That is where the money in the fund has come from.

The Cathedral City Senior, founded on July 3, 1979, is celebrating 40 years of supporting the Coachella Valley’s senior community. According to tis mission statement, it is focused on “improving the quality of life for seniors 55-plus living in Cathedral City and surrounding communities. The Center is geared to assist all seniors, from the active to the home-bound, by providing services that channel energy, relieve suffering and protect health, happiness and well-being.”

Despite the challenges of a global pandemic, the Center continues to serve the senior community by redefining the way seniors socialize in a physically distant environment, according to Stone James, Economic Development Director.  Through a series of internet-based programing, the Center is striving to keep the Valley’s senior’s connected and engaged.

The request before the City Council on Wednesday is the next step in their online educational programing.

To further its mission, the Cathedral City Senior Center is requesting the money, which will allow the Center to sponsor the production of three “How to Paint” videos by local artist Anne Bedrick, and provide ten (10) kits containing basic painting supplies to the first ten class participants.

Once created, the classes will be offered virtually via YouTube. Anyone with access to YouTube may view, and benefit from these classes. One class will be offered in November 2020, the second class offered in December 2020, and the third class offered in January 2021. These classes are open to all members of the public.

Painting kits would be provided at no cost to the first ten people who sign up for the painting classes. While intended to be provided to the Center members unable to afford basic art supplies, any member of the public may request a kit. Center members and members of the general public have equal priority in receiving the free kits.

During the Sept. 14, 2020, the Public Arts Commission unanimously approved this Public Arts Education expenditure recommendation to the Council to support the Center’s “How to Paint” internet-based educational series.

View the City Council meeting live at the City’s website by clicking here or channel 17.