By Jennifer Crow
Internationally known and award-winning children’s illustrator and muralist, Rafael López, will work with the Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children’s Literature, volunteers, and community members to design and create a community participation mural in Fresno. The mural will be constructed the week of May 6 – 11. López has created mural designs for cities across the United States, and beautiful examples can be found in San Diego, Chicago, Fort Collins, and more recently in Pittsburgh, CA. With the complete support of the building’s owner, Fresno’s community mural will be located at the corner of Cedar and Tulare across the street from Roosevelt High School.
The desired outcome of this project is to bring diverse groups of people from the immediate neighborhood and broader communities together to create a beautiful work of public art. The hope is to also develop a sense of pride and accomplishment in the hearts of those who have worked together to undertake this achievable goal, knowing that they have played an integral part in creating an astounding mural that fosters collaboration and represents the breadth of our human spirit.
The Nixon Center, a unit of the Special Collections Division in the Madden Library at Fresno State, promotes children’s literature through its collections, programming, exhibits, and conferences. It hopes this project will also serve as a bridge to literacy as it encourages related readings to neighboring elementary schools.
Along with its sponsoring parties, the Center will hold a culminating dedication party with food, drink, music, and celebration!
To raise funds for the Community Mural Project, the Center has partnered with a number of businesses and organizations to host a disco dance fundraiser. On Saturday, February 23rd, “Studio 54 Meets Fulton 55: Past Meets Present” will recreate the dazzling world of the disco era for one night only. Bridging our colorful and diverse communities for a night of dancing and entertainment in the hottest venue in the Cultural Arts District, the red velvet ropes are removed, and you are welcomed guests as Fulton 55 transforms into Studio 54. Be prepared to experience the glitter and chic glamour of the DISCO era.
Bebe O’s Vintage Boutique in the Tower District, a founding partner, has generously offered to sell tickets for the disco event. As the place for one-stop dance attire shopping, the shop owners, Lupe and Martin Oftedal, have dedicated a part of the store to the disco era. Mannequins model disco finery, shoes, and accessories beneath a glittering disco ball while framed photos of Studio 54 serve as the backdrop.
Tickets for the fundraiser may also be purchased at Tower District Records, Fulton 55 and online at www.ancdisco@eventbrite.com
Ticket information:
$20 for general admission
$50 VIP ticket includes early entrance, champagne toast limo ride down Fulton Street with photo op, disco dance lesson, access to second floor VIP lounge, photos of VIPs will be projected throughout the night in iconic Warhol-style, Live in the Limelight.
See you on the dancefloor!
This is a 21+ event only. No refunds on tickets purchased. Stay updated on event news, sponsors, announcements, and updates on our Facebook Event Page. For more information, contact the Arne Nixon Center at (559) 278-8116 or email Jami Helwig at jhelwig@csufresno.edu
Our community partners lineup:
Bebe O’s Vintage Boutique – for all things disco and event tickets
DJ Mr. Leonard spinning the classic sounds of disco
Tower District Records Event ticket sales — February 16, 5:00 – 7:00 DJ Mr. Leonard spinning the disco beat
Limos for You providing the ultimate VIP experience
Peter Netzley and Amy Novak: Professional dancers
Special guest appearance
by Maximus Organmo
