SAN FRANCISCO, April 17, 2002 - A new San Francisco State University multidisciplinary arts program will preview its summer classes during a public event from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at the SFSU Downtown Center.

The College of Extended Learning Art Salon and Open House will showcase the creative new classes in the Arts, Culture and Community Engagement (AC/CE) program with presentations from the faculty and talks by well-known Bay Area artists.

"The goal is to bring together artists, faculty and students from many different disciplines to teach new techniques, explore the creative process, and promote better understanding of culture and how it affects us," said Susan Hoffman, director of AC/CE.

Invited artists include: Tiffany Schlain, Webby Awards founder and director; Lorraine Garcia Nakata, Mexican Museum executive director; Ken Goldberg, UC Berkeley robotic artist; and SFSU art Professor Steve Wilson, author of "Information Arts: Intersection of Art, Science, and Technology." In addition, faculty for the new program will introduce their courses.

Summer classes include organic sculpture, narrative screenwriting and Latin/Afro-Caribbean percussion. A course on creating found-object sculptures from local resources, with access to the Sanitary Fill, is one example of how the program will link artists with their community.

Seven classes will be offered this summer with 17 available in the fall. AC/CE will also sponsor public events in the coming year on how the creative narrative informs our sense of conflict as well as issues discussing the impact of the "next new economy" on San Francisco neighborhoods.

Touch-tone registration begins April 29. Anyone may enroll in these classes without formally applying to SFSU.

 

WHAT:	SFSU College of Extended Learning Art Salon and Open House
WHEN:	2-4 p.m., Saturday, May 4
WHERE:	SFSU Downtown Center, 425 Market St., 2nd floor, San Francisco
ADMISSION:	Free
INFORMATION/R.S.V.P.:	Registration is recommended. Call: (415) 405-7711 e-mail: story@msp.sfsu.edu visit: www.cel.sfsu.edu

  Student writer Anastasia Thrift contributed to this press release.