It does take a village to nurture an artist

By Amy Maris

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A first-of-its-kind event Wednesday could turn into a premier event for the community if we can keep it going.

Grace Lieberman (or Miss Cultural Modesto, as she was affectionately referred to throughout the evening) and the Stanislaus Arts Council offered a delightful sampling of Stanislaus County talent in a program called "Share the Wealth of Talent."

From vocal to instrumental and classical to popular music, there was something for every palate, including delicious treats from Sips Bistro. Varni Bros. and E.&J. Gallo Winery provided refreshments. Visual arts displayed in the lobby featured a wide variety of local artists, to an auditory backdrop of elegant keyboard music by Jim Maris. (Yes, we're related.)

Although the crowd bordered on outright rudeness when a speaker went on too long (we wanted to hear the kids perform — after all, wasn't that what we came for?) it's hard to spoil a night of performance by some of the area's rising talent.

Best of all, it was free, thanks to the Gallo Center for the Arts and the donation of time and talent by every artist.

According to "The Arts: A Competitive Advantage for California II," a study released by the California Arts Council, arts and culture contribute billions to California's economy. Although the world's fifth-largest economy, our state received a severe slash of funding which now places it at 50th of all the states in per-capita funding to the arts!

As a patron of the arts and as an artist, I'd like to offer the following suggestion for next year's event, should we be fortunate enough to repeat it:

Let's invite all the California Arts Council members, the Modesto City Council and all our elected officials so they can see for themselves what funding allocated for the arts actually does.

Tracing a young artist's influences, sponsors, teachers and mentors helps us to see how they were shaped during their formative years. Here are several examples:

Jacob Bronson discovered his love of singing at Beyer High School, studied at Modesto Junior College and has had major roles with local companies such as YES Company, Townsend Opera Players, Modesto Performing Arts, Sierra Repertory Theater, Merced Playhouse and the Stockton Civic Theater. He spent an extended period under Lieberman's sponsorship as well. Jacob's soaring tenor voice is a product of a host of mentors.

Tovi Wayne, whose boy soprano rings out sweet as an angel, and whose poise on stage belies his 13 years, cut his musical teeth in the Modesto Performing Arts production of "Oliver," continued in several local and Bay Area performances and is now auditioning on Broadway.

Cellist Tessa Seymour, who gave a stellar performance, was accompanied on piano by John Hillebrandt, whose numerous musical accomplishments render him an invaluable asset to both California State University, Stanislaus, and MJC music programs. He is a jewel in the valley if ever there was one!

The other participants included Darrel Lingenfelter, whose enthusiasm and ability have fostered a love of music in many young people; Amelia Varni, a vocalist on her way to becoming a recording artist in Nashville; the Cottons, a contemporary group that began as a brother- sister team and has blossomed into a full indie band; and Jai Gullat, who spoke vibrant poetic words describing the wonder of art.

It certainly does take a village! Kudos to all those guardians of art in our county who are struggling to rectify their budgets. Some things can't be measured by a balance sheet. What we experienced Wednesday night was priceless. Let's keep it alive.

Maris is a Modesto resident. E-mail her at columns@modbee.com.