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After more than five years of planning, the Center for Creativity is gearing up to open its doors at the historic Hotel Sequoia in downtown Redwood City, aiming to bridge the gap in access to the arts.
“The arts help heal communities and it also creates a space for people who are socially isolated,” said Jill Asher, a CFC steering committee member.
CFC has announced its plan for a two-year temporary arts center set to open in early spring. The center promises to serve as a hub for arts, culture, and community. It will provide artists an inclusive space to showcase their work and allow community members to learn skills like dancing and painting in classrooms. This is the first phase of CFC’s vision for a permanent arts center in San Mateo County.
The initiative to open the center was taken by ARTS RWC, a roundtable of artists, art advocates, art organizations, and civic leaders whose mission is to advance Redwood City to become a vibrant and sustainable arts community.
The project gained momentum in 2019 when the then economic development manager of Redwood City, Don Burrus, encouraged the group to formally pursue the concept.
The hotel, located at 800 Main Street, is one of the oldest buildings in Redwood City. It was built in 1912 as a luxury hotel and later designated as a landmark in 1981.
According to Kent Manske, a CFC steering committee member, the initial steps of opening the center included a community survey, which received over 2,300 responses.
“So the survey was quite evident that this was a need, not just a want,” said Manske, also a former professor of Art and Design at Foothill College in Los Altos. “It included responses like I’m lonely, I need a community to be creative with. I need a place for my children to get an arts education because it’s not happening in their school.”
A $70,000 feasibility study conducted by the CFC found that a 35,000-square-foot facility would best meet community needs while remaining financially practical.
One of Hotel Sequoia’s owners, Dani Gasparini, also on CFC’s steering committee, offered the landmark to serve as a temporary setting for the center. Knowing that the hotel renovation would not start for the next couple of years, she and her husband offered CFC the space at a reduced monthly rent.
“The architecture is extraordinary,” said Asher. “Imagine taking a painting class in a rotunda or attending a poetry reading in a space with crown molding and historic charm.”
Initially, CFC will operate as a “proof of concept” space in the hotel. This temporary initiative is expected to run for two years. The steering committee will measure and demonstrate the center’s impact during this time. Events will include art and dance classes, theater workshops, and exhibitions facilitated by partnerships with local arts organizations.
“When this proof of concept is at its end, when this building gets changed to become a boutique hotel, we have the tools to say, here’s the results, here’s the improvements in the lives of the inhabitants of this region,” Manske added.
CFC is seeking to raise $350,000 to fund the proof-of-concept phase. About $25,000 has been secured, with additional pledges from community donors and partner organizations. The funds will cover programming, staffing, and operational costs. Long-term, the group envisions a larger campaign to establish a permanent 35,000-square-foot arts facility, estimated to cost $30 – $60 million.
According to Asher and Manske, San Mateo County lacks a central arts hub. Existing arts organizations are scattered and often operate in silos.
“We want to be able to give access to those who might not be able to afford art but desire to take art classes,” Asher added.
CFC’s goal is to offer subsidized opportunities for artists and nonprofits, ensuring access for all regardless of financial constraints.
CFC is calling on the community to support its mission. People can make a donation using this link. More information about the center can also be found on their newsletter and website.
Great idea. Hope it has a display by Dodge Williams. Love his “In the Mood.”