DeltaFusion, a unique cultural and theatrical event. Finale is July 23 in Stockton

I heard about the DeltaFusion project about a month ago, and am pleased to see they have received some modest support ($10,000) from the National Endowment of the Arts.  Congratulations to the University of the Pacific's Theatre Arts and Visual Arts program for this making this unique community, artistic, cultural, educational event happen. 

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has recently awarded a grant of $10,000 to the University in support of DeltaFusion. The project, conceived by Theatre Arts Chair Cathie McClellan and Visual Arts Chair Brett DeBoer, will use visual and performing arts as a means to celebrate the cultural heritage of the city of Stockton and San Joaquin County, one of the most culturally diverse areas in the country.

DeltaFusion is taking place June 20 through July 23, 2011, and the final event will be a parade and performance on Saturday, July 23, the anniversary of the incorporation of Stockton as a city.

Professor McClellan conceived the idea for DeltaFusion after being inspired by Aquatopia—a summer program she participated in several years ago led by Pacific's Visual Arts department. Aquatopia combined art and science to raise awareness of the ecosystem of the California watershed....

"We are excited to be able to offer DeltaFusion as a way to show how the Arts can be used to encourage acceptance of diversity, enhance community, and invigorate public discussion of contemporary issues," said Dr. Joanna Albala, Director of Research Initiatives & Strategic Partnerships for the College of the Pacific...

DeltaFusion will be a 5-week session of workshops in which participants will develop a performance that centers on the history of the delta, the industries that took root here, and the immigrant populations who arrived to work in those industries. Participants will create and use large-scale puppets to tell the story...

DeltaFusion will include master puppeteers from the Minneapolis organization In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre (HOBT) who will share their expertise and assist with making the giant puppets that will be the centerpiece of the performance. HOBT uses puppet and mask theatre to promote social and cultural awareness...

The DeltaFusion parade will begin at Pixie Woods and end at Victory Park. The performance will follow on the grounds of the Haggin Museum, which has been an active partner in the DeltaFusion project. Other partners include Rob and Ria Kroff from KUDOS Children's Theatre Company, the Stockton Arts Commission, and the Cultural Heritage Council of San Joaquin County.