ArtCenter Manatee creating for the community

BRADENTON -- She’s studied art, worked professionally as an artist, raised money for artists, and directed all sizes of national art programs and events.

KC Bitterman is the new executive director for ArtCenter Manatee. She said she is excited to host the works of Tyrell Waiters in his exhibit "out of bounds."

The job of executive director of ArtCenter Manatee is the next assignment for KC Bitterman.

”My vision is to become more of a community gathering space for artistically minded people,“ she said.

She’s starting a series of ongoing events at the center and envisions creative people coming together to network with a common interest in their passion for art.

ArtCenter Manatee in downtown Bradenton is a nonprofit organization entirely funded through education, art sales, membership, grants and donations, and it does not receive annual support from government entities.

Bitterman was in Sante Fe, N.M., when a friend forwarded the ad for the position at ArtCenter Manatee. It was exactly what Bitterman had been looking to do, direct a mid-sized center in a community supporting the arts.

”It was a center poised on the edge of the next big thing and when I saw the ad I thought, 'Super,' “ Bitterman said. ”Then I applied.“

We all know how the story ended, but one might wonder if Bitterman has adjusted from the dry desert to a tropical environment.

ArtCenter Manatee has an Artists' Market, which promotes local handmade artworks.

Well, that part was easy, since she finished her bachelor's degree at the University of Hawaii and said she enjoys coming back to lush greenness and water.

Backing up to her days at California College of the Arts in Oakland, Calif., Bitterman studied to be a painter and worked professionally as an artist in San Francisco.

Working in the Bay area is a time she considered to be one of the most interesting in her life, as she worked with hot glass on a very creative and technical level

She later made the move from Los Angeles to New Mexico after making some connections and discovered Sante Fe was a great arts community that could use her savvy fundraising expertise.

”Fundraising for artists is, for me, one of the most valuable services to the community,“ she said. ”In terms of fun things to do for work, the arts are valuable and really important to every community.“

Bitterman is impressed with Bradenton’s cultural planning and its support for the arts.

Bitterman said more than 200 people attended the September openings, which included works by Alain JL Huin.

”The arts add to the livability and profile of the community and the sustainability in the community,“ she said.

In Sante Fe, Bitterman helped to raise money as the development director for the annual Sante Fe Indian Market.

It was a year in planning and a huge project.

”In two days we had 100,000 visitors and 1,100 artists participating,“ she said. ”It was a wonderful annual event.“

Now at ArtCenter Manatee, Bitterman observes that the people who work at the center and the visitors are really involved.  She said the center’s community is smart and involved in ongoing art practice.

”Anytime someone makes art, it’s a really positive thing,“ Bitterman said.

She’s seen the openings of two shows at the center and is amazed at the 200 people that attended.

”Half were artists in their own right,“ she said. ”It’s really a community of peers, artists of all ages, from young people to people who have been doing art all their lives.“

ArtCenter Manatee really aims to serve the broadest cross-section in the community.

Although September’s art openings have passed, the exhibits of Alain JL Huin ”in your face“ and Tyrell Waiters ”out of bounds“ continue through Oct. 9.

Members of the center can rent studio space outside of classes when space is available.

The next opening reception is 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 16, and benefits Empty Bowls 2009, an international project to fight hunger through Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee.

Works created around the theme of homelessness by artist Bayn Leopold and the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness are scheduled for October exhibits. The opening reception is 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16.  

In addition to art exhibits, ArtCenter Manatee offers an array of art classes and an Artists’ Market for selling handmade local art.

Bitterman has been in her position for only a month, but she has some ideas. She welcomes new membership and wants people to be involved.

Just for the record, Bitterman is a watercolor painter but she does not favor any one artistic medium.

”Everybody should try, at least once, to make art,“ she said. ”If you try it, it will change your life.“