Kick off the new year with two events on Jan. 9 and 10 that showcase how arts and culture support economic development, tourism and community connection.
Cultural tourism webinar
Friday, Jan. 9, 10-11 a.m.
Hosted by the City of Sacramento’s Office of Arts and Culture in partnership with Visit Sacramento, the free webinar will feature Paulo Vergara, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Development for the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens. The discussion will focus on cultural tourism, digital marketing strategies and emerging technology.
Vergara will share insights on how cultural destinations can guide visitors from initial discovery to repeat visitation through online marketing channels, as well as practical uses of artificial intelligence in an evolving digital landscape.
The webinar will be held online via Zoom. A link will be provided upon registration. Register here.
Public sculpture rededication event
Saturday, Jan. 10, 1-2 p.m. (North Natomas Library)
Community members are invited to join Councilmember Lisa Kaplan, artist Joe Scarpa, students, library patrons and City staff for the re-dedication of “Authors of Our Own Destiny,” a large interactive public sculpture by Scarpa located at the North Natomas Library.
Installed in 2010 and fondly referred to as the “Big Book,” the sculpture has invited the public to contribute artwork directly onto its pages for more than a decade. The artwork and surrounding area have recently been refurbished to prepare for new community-created art. The City has also introduced a simplified scheduling process that allows artists and residents to reserve time to paint the book so each contribution has time to be displayed.
“The art book is an empty page allowing for personal expression, collective storytelling, and artistic self-discovery turning everyday life into art,” said Councilmember Kaplan, who represents the area. “This re-dedication of the Joe Scarpa big book is to remind our community that art is for all of us however we choose to express it.”
The event is wheelchair accessible. RSVP on Eventbrite here.
To learn more about the City’s public art collection, visit the Office of Arts and Culture website.
