The Bothwell Arts Center is a part of the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center in Livermore. The mission of this independent, nonprofit organization is to offer a broad range of arts opportunities and experiences that engage the diverse local community.

The Bothwell is friendly and welcoming to all arts organizations and prides itself on encouraging artists to grow and prosper, according to Anne Giancola, Arts Manager.

The Bothwell offers affordable space for many community nonprofit groups, students, artists, teachers, and workers in the arts. It also welcomes volunteers who support its mission.

"The Bothwell Arts Center is accessible to all ages seeking that spark of creativity," says Giancola. "We have all kinds of art classes and art experiences for all ages." The Bothwell is fully handicapped accessible, according to Giancola.

Nonprofit groups who use the Bothwell for rehearsals, productions, and events include the Livermore Valley Opera, Livermore Amador Symphony, Sycamore Strings Academy, Pleasanton Community Concert Band, Two Day Town, Music Time Academy, Encore Players, Tri-Valley Cultural Jews, Livermore Lion's Club, Friday Figure Workshop, and Jazz Labb.

The Bothwell Arts Center serves as an arts incubator, offering affordable and rentable classroom, rehearsal, performance, event, and studio rental space for artists, musicians, theatrical, acting, choral, literary, and other individuals, groups or events with a cultural arts focus. It also offers an inexpensive Art Classroom program, allowing artists working room without a large investment. The venue is also available for private rentals for parties and other events.

Teachers of the arts from violins to studio arts to writing and dancing to visual art workshops have found a home at the Bothwell. It also hosts meetings for arts organizations such as the Livermore Artist Association, Encore Players, and Amador Valley Quilters.

"We are a hidden gem on Eighth Street," says Giancola. "I hear all the time that not only did folks not know we are here but also they are surprised at the many variety of art experiences we have."

This summer a Girl Scout gold-award nominee is leading a mural project for the parkside of the Bothwell building. The Girl Scout has gathered supplies and volunteers and is hard at work painting "a large, fun, and colorful mural of an oversized zipper opening up Bothwell with art spilling out," notes Giancola. "This is just one example of the Bothwell's ability to collaborate with the community to make art happen."

Another example is ArtWalk Livermore, which takes place this year on Saturday, October 13. Bothwell is a sponsor of Tri-Valley's premiere one-day art festival that is all about the high-quality visual art in the Livermore Valley. In its 17th year, ArtWalk Livermore "is an amazing day that showcases the talent and creativity of the artists from the area," she says.

More than 200 artists will display their works on sidewalks and plazas, in parks and galleries, surrounded by boutique shops, wine tasting rooms and restaurants in historic downtown Livermore. The artworks will range from contemporary to classical, abstract to realism, pottery to mixed media,handmade bags, ceramic garden art, and jewelry.

Live music will be at all the parks this year. The Bankhead Plaza will have cultural arts groups performing between 12 and 4 pm. Livermorium Park will host the Livermore Cultural Arts Council booth by the arbor.

Supporters should enjoy Bothwell's upcoming annual fundraiser as well. The February 2019 event features "The Golden Age of Hollywood" theme. Proceeds from this night of live music and dancing help support all the many art events the Bothwell sponsors.

For more information about the Bothwell Arts Center, please visit www.bothwell.lvpac.org.