O
ne can hardly talk about the arts in the
South Valley without the Gilroy Center
for the Arts coming up. In less than ten
years a group of determined community
volunteers, in partnership with the City of Gilroy, has
turned a once vacant and dilapidated former thrift
store into a bustling hub of art events, exhibits and
live theater.
The future didn’t appear so bright after the recession
of 2008 forced the City of Gilroy to abandon plans to
build a glitzy new 28,000 square foot arts center. But
the Gilroy Arts Alliance, the non-profit organization
formed in 2006 to steer the effort, determined to
move ahead and work with what they had in a
phased approach. In 2010, they leased the property
from the City and in the spring of that year created
a demonstration garden in cooperation with local
farmers. That fall they followed with the first exhibit
of local artists.
According to former board president and current
part-time Executive Director, Kevin Heath, the
only paid staff member of an otherwise volunteer
association, it wasn’t always easy.
“I remember the first board meeting I attended,”
Heath recalled of an August 2010 meeting, “they asked
me if I could throw this old toilet in the dumpster.
Talk about getting right in the trenches.” He chuckled
at the memory.
In January 2011, they partnered with the newly
formed Limelight Actors Theater, and created their first
resident theater company. That same year, they were
given a generous donation by the Christopher Family
resulting in a much-needed renovation of the Center.
With new floors, lights, storage, parking lot, lighted
marquee and new ADA-compliant restroom, they began
planning even more exhibits, programs, classes, work-
shops and meetings at the Center.
Kevin Heath is also the artistic director of the
Limelight Actors Theater where he serves in all phases
of the productions, sometimes performing. The busy
enterprise produces up to five productions a year.
Heath’s name often comes up as a driving force
behind the progress and success of the Gilroy Center
for the Arts. According to local artist and current board
president Marianne Eichenbaum, Kevin Heath is the
backbone of the center.
“His dedication and hard work made the center
what it is today, and what it will be in the future,”
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
Eichenbaum said. “Kevin’s work with the City of Gilroy we
hope will bring an updated and more beautiful Center for
the Arts for our community and surrounding areas to enjoy.”
In partnership with the City of Gilroy, planning efforts
are currently underway to renovate the existing 5,000
square foot Center. Architectural design is complete and
construction plans are underway for a $3 million upgrade.
Beyond that, the Gilroy Arts Alliance envisions creating a
campus of buildings on the 2.3-acre site including an updat-
ed theatre, new classrooms and space for businesses and art
studios.
For more information about the Gilroy Center for the
Arts and its events, and to stay abreast of its exciting plans
for the future, visit their website at gilroyartsalliance.com.
2019 Scheduled Events
Small Works Salon Exhibit: November 17 - December 16, 2018
Photography Exhibit “The Homeless”: January 5 - 26, 2019
Black History Month Exhibit and Event: February 2 - March 2
After School Art Classes Grades K – 12: February 4 - May 23
Limelight Show: The Velocity of Autumn: February 22 - March 23
Youth Art Exhibit; March 9 - April 20
Veteran’s Exhibit: April 27 - May 24
Art Exhibit: June 1 - July 3
Limelight Show: Belles: The Reunion June 21 - July 13
Summer At Classes Grades K – 12: July 8 -29
Free Outdoor Family Movie Nights: August 2 & 9
The Art of Steven Pattie: August 10 - October 5
Dia de los Muertos 8th Annual Exhibit & Event: October 15 - November 3
Art Exhibit: November 13 - December 19
Holiday Boutique: November 8 - 10
Limelight Show: The Hallelujah Girls, November 15 - December 14
december 2018-january 2019
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