Tapestry Arts began in 1976 as part of the country's bicentennial celebration and continues to this day. The annual Tapestry Arts Festival is a celebration of the visual and performing arts and is held Labor Day Weekend. It was held on the streets of downtown San Jose however, this year we embark upon a new era and a new location, History Park San Jose at Kelley Park.
The new location will enable us to present a more intimate festival while increasing Tapestry's ability to bring art to the community. Proceeds from the festival help fund our arts education programs in elementary schools, community centers and other venues throughout the Bay Area.
Known for many years as Tapestry In Talent, the organization changed its name to Tapestry Arts in 2002. Tapestry Arts is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Tapestry Arts Cherie Martin, Marketing Director 408-521-5016 cheriem@tapestryarts.org __________________________________________________________________________________
July 28, 2010Link to article in San Jose Business Journal: Tapestry Festival Moves to fairgrounds __________________________________________________________________________________
July 26, 2010
NONPROFIT NEEDS HELP TO PUT ON NOVEMBER TAPESTRY IN TALENT FESTIVAL
San Jose, CA - July 26, 2010 - Tapestry Arts is asking for more donations to keep the Tapestry In Talent Festival on target for this Fall. "For over 30 years we have put on the celebrated festival. It's a part of the cultural fabric that makes San Jose and Santa Clara County who we are,"says Laurence Kuhn, new president of Tapestry Arts.
Unbeknownst to many, Tapestry Arts actually serves as a wonderful provider of Arts Education throughout our schools and community, reaching our diverse culture where it is most needed.
The Festivals raise funds for these programs and will also help us fulfill our existing financial obligations and develop new resources to meet our community's needs. The new Board of Directors and new Executive Director, Michael Symons, has pledged to put the festival on in November 2010. "You know up until the last several years, Tapestry had a tradition of putting on a festival in the summer and fall, and we are proud to be returning to our roots by creating a festival in November," says Symons.
Tapestry has announced the Tapestry Winter Festival to take place November 6th & 7th: Tapestry In Talent's "Rhythms of the Planet". Taking over the Expo Hall and surrounding grounds at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, top juried artists will be featuring their fine locally-made work, outstanding bands will be filling the air with enjoyable music and the much-anticipated EcoFun Zone for kids will provide hands-on art activities with crafts and mini-projects that will enhance their eco-awareness and give them a fun memoir to bring home with them. The renowned Andy Z (www.AndyZ.com) will be entertaining the children throughout the two days. Fresh ideas and resources for the South Bay's lifestyles and homes will continue to be offered in the Design For Living area. "Donations on our website, www.TapestryArts.org or by mail will certainly help us achieve our goals for our community", Symons pointed out.
To reinvigorate Tapestry Arts, a new dynamic Board of Directors was recently elected, placing Kuhn as president of the Board, so past president Symons could take over day-to-day operations as part-time Executive Director, opening the door for further support. They are driving a very dynamic 18-month business plan to re-establish Tapestry's financial strength and agility.
Kuhn has a proven track record of strong leadership, and has participated on the Tapestry Arts Board for several years. He was instrumental in bringing sustainable energy to the Tapestry In Talent festival over the past two years while promoting more strategic approaches to the Board's growth.
"We have the ideal combination of expertise to guide Tapestry Arts as it enters its amazing 35th year. Our new Board brings together an exceptional balance of finance, operations, marketing, event production, and fundraising talent; an energetic team to inject new ideas and excitement into this organization," says Kuhn."You can feel the excitement and energy from every Board member. We are all dedicated to making the 35th Tapestry In Talent the best in years!" says Symons. The City of San Jose through the Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) has set aside organization development funds for CompassPoint Nonprofit Services* to assist the Tapestry Board in its undertaking to restructure this community's much valued arts organization.
Currently, there is an existing $18K challenge grant through the City of San Jose, where it will match donations received from individuals through December 31, 2010.With the assistance of the City of San Jose, and its many sponsors, including Barry Swenson, Read & Melany Zaro, and Sam Liccardo and staff, Tapestry Arts is committed to continuing this long-standing cultural event.
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*CompassPoint Nonprofit Services--one of the country's leading providers of training and consulting services to community-based organizations. __________________________________________________________________________________
July 6, 2010
TAPESTRY ARTS PROUDLY ANNOUNCES A NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS
San Jose, CA - July 6, 2010 - Tapestry Arts announces a dynamic Board of directors to rejuvenate the well-loved Tapestry In Talent festival and carry the Arts Education non-profit forward into the years ahead. The new president, Laurence Kuhn, in collaboration with past president Michael Symons, introduces the formation of a new Tapestry Arts Board.
Laurence Kuhn, with a proven track record of strong operations leadership, has participated on the Tapestry Arts Board for several years. He was instrumental in bringing sustainable energy to the Tapestry In Talent festival over the past two years while promoting zero-waste practices throughout.
"We have the ideal combination of expertise to guide Tapestry Arts as it enters its amazing 34th year. Our new Board brings together an exceptional balance of finance, operations, marketing, event production, and fundraising talent; an energetic team to inject new ideas and excitement into this organization." says Kuhn.
As part of this restructuring, Tapestry Arts former president Michael Symons has been reappointed as part-time Executive Director on-staff to handle the day-to-day functions of the organization. This strategic move sets the stage for new grants, tighter organization and board growth.
"You can feel the excitement and energy from every Board member. We are all dedicated to making the 34th Tapestry In Talent the best in years!" says Symons.
The City of San Jose through the Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) has set aside organization development funds for Compasspoint Nonprofit Services* to assist the Tapestry Board in its efforts to restructure this community's much valued arts organization.
With the assistance of the City of San Jose`through the OCA, and its many sponsors, including Barry Swenson, Read & Melany Zaro, and Sam Liccardo and staff, Tapestry Arts is committed in continuing this long standing cultural event. Additionally, Tapestry Arts has an existing $18K challenge grant through the City which matches donations received from individuals through December 31,2010.
To find out more about Tapestry Arts, our events, and how you can help us continue to bring art education to our community, visit us at www.tapestryarts.org.
*CompassPoint Nonprofit Services-one of the country's leading providers of training and consulting services to community-based organizations.
Tapestry Arts Festival is supported, in part, through a grant from the City of San Jose. Tapestry Arts is a not for profit organization. The revenue from this festival supports Tapestry throughout the year as the organization brings arts education programs to local school-age children. For more information call: 408-521-5016. __________________________________________________________________________________
August 10, 2009
THE ART, THE PARK, AND OTHER DELIGHTFUL THINGS
San Jose, California - San Jose’s oldest and largest street festival moves to a new level of comfort in 2009. “We have moved the festival just a bit east and will be filling Plaza Park with music, art, children, and a large shaded lawn upon which to sit and enjoy it all” said executive director Angela Kirkner.
In one way the move to incorporate Plaza de Cesar Chavez in downtown San Jose is a return to the 1976 birth of the festival. The park was a focal point for that first festival which celebrated the nation's bicentennial. The next year in 1977 the park hosted the grand bandstand as the second festival celebrated San Jose's bicentennial.
The 34th Annual Tapestry Arts Festival runs Saturday, Sunday and Monday of Labor Day Weekend and the warm days, stately shade trees, and well manicured lawn will make a perfect setting for music on the Plaza Stage and hands-on-art for kids in the Creativity Zone. Just a few steps away will be booths selling some of the great and interesting food for which the festival is well known.A complete look at the performance schedule, participating artisans, and map of the new festival site is available at www.tapestryarts.org.
Tapestry Arts Festival is supported, in part, through a grant from the City of San Jose. Tapestry Arts is a not for profit organization. The revenue from this festival supports Tapestry throughout the year as the organization brings arts education programs to local school-age children. For more information call: 408-521-5016 or go to www.tapestryarts.org. __________________________________________________________________________________