Coronavirus surge postpones art venue plans. State Theatre drive-up sales return
Arts venues in the Modesto region are facing new delays given the upswing in coronavirus cases.
A surge in reported cases in parts of California, including Stanislaus County, caused a rollback of some reopenings.
The Mistlin Gallery in Modesto and the Carnegie Arts Center in Turlock had planned to open new exhibits at their venues on July 2 and July 8, respectively. Both, however, have been postponed to at least July 23.
Meanwhile, the State Theatre continues to present online entertainment options and has brought back its Friday popcorn sales.
An email from the Mistlin Gallery said that “Out of an abundance of caution, the board has decided to heed the governor’s call to close businesses ... due to a rapid rise in COVID infections in our county.” The planned “Women in America” exhibit will be extended into late August.
Mistlin also has moved its summer Art Camps online.
Carnegie also postpones
The Carnegie Arts Center now plans to exhibit the “Carnegie Art Showcase” in its Ferrari Gallery, “with a potential opening date of July 23,” according to an email from the center. A virtual version of the exhibition, with images of each of the accepted works, will be available for viewing on the Carnegie’s website.
The showcase is an annual all-media exhibition and includes pieces by 52 artists from 23 communities.
But the arts center’s Summer Art Camp is going ahead in person at the venue with safety protocols, according to Director Lisa McDermott.
Camps “are being done on site with small class size, individual (as opposed to shared) supplies, social distancing, masks required and plenty of sanitation,” McDermott said in an email.
The Carnegie’s lobby and gift shop also remain open.
State Theatre has virtual events, films
The State Theatre in Modesto, which reopened to show films on June 19, decided to close the following week, ahead of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recent order for movie theaters to shutter again. The State’s Executive Director Kirstie Boyett cited concerns at that time over the growing number of coronavirus cases in the county and a lack of attendance.
The State continues to offer a slate of films online and has a pair of Virtual Educational Seminars coming up.
The State is collaborating with the Gallo Center for the Arts for a free Virtual Education Seminar on the Oscar-winning 1950 drama “All About Eve.”
People must register in advance to receive an email on Monday, July 13, to download and watch a pre-taped lecture. They also must find and stream the film on their own. The virtual discussion will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 16, on Zoom.
Modesto Junior College poetry professor Sam Pierstorff will lead an online seminar on the film “Dead Poets Society” at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 23. Again, people must register in advance and find the film prior to that discussion, also held on Zoom.
State also bringing back popcorn sales
The State has brought back its Popcorn Fridays, giving away a free movie ticket to patrons who buy a large popcorn, Boyett said. The popcorn sales proved popular when held in the spring, Boyett said at that time.
Sales are from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Friday and will continue until the theater is able to reopen.
A large popcorn is $7.50; a medium is $6.50; and a small $5.50. They also again are selling candy, ice cream, wine by the bottle, other canned alcohol drinks and water.
People pull up in their cars to the theater, 1307 J St., order, and employees then deliver back to them.
The State also is looking to bring drive-in films back to the community in the near future, Boyett said.
This story was originally published July 11, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
