ART SEEKS A HOME IN NEWHALL CITY FUNDS SOUGHT FOR GALLERY.

Byline: Eugene Tong  Staff Writer

NEWHALL - Local photographer April Bielefeldt has seen her landscape prints displayed at galleries in Burbank, Thousand Oaks and even Catalina Island.

Now she wants to add Newhall to the list.

``It's difficult out here,'' said Bielefeldt, who through the Santa Clarita Artists' Association is working to establish a community gallery in Old Newhall. ``There is the theater, but as far as the visual arts, it's very difficult. ... It would be nice if we didn't have to travel so far.''

With few public venues besides the bare walls of local bookstores for their art, the nonprofit group has petitioned the city of Santa Clarita for $25,000 to open the gallery next to the Olde Towne Star antique shop in the 24300 block of San Fernando Road.

Association President Scott Bruckner touted it as an ideal fit for the neighborhood, which city leaders want to redevelop into an arts and pedestrian shopping district.

``We're a cross between a commercial gallery and an art museum,'' he said. ``The goal of our organization is to make the visual arts visible. I think the city should back it.''

An insurance agent by day and a wood sculptor in his off hours, Bruckner proposed the idea to the City Council last month, then submitted a nine-page business plan Tuesday to the city's Parks and Recreation Department.

``(Tuesday) was the meeting at high noon, and now I have to take it up to the individual City Council members, which I plan on doing,'' he said. ``I have a feeling they'll be interested in it.''

Councilwoman Laurene Weste said she was open to the idea, but she urged officials to move carefully. The city is drafting a decades-long specific plan to transform the now largely working class and Latino neighborhood into a mixed-use pedestrian-friendly district.

The whole project could cost an estimated $88 million in public funds, and more than $108 million from private investment.

``There is a lack of space for artists to show their work,'' Weste said. ``The question is can we integrate them into downtown Newhall? We have to approach with caution whatever we're doing. We don't want to step on something that will be worked on.''

City Council members expect to wade through numerous requests to open businesses in the redevelopment area. In January, the panel denied permits for a tattoo parlor and art gallery in the 23600 block of San Fernando Road after city planners deemed it incompatible in a neighborhood that's being spruced up.

But Phil Lantis, the city's arts and events administrator, said Bruckner's proposal could jibe with redevelopment.

``It fits in the spirit of the specific plan,'' he said. ``There are several references in the specific plan incorporating art and a creative industry district, though it doesn't say there should be a galley on this block.

``One thing we're looking at now is what they envisioned their role would be. We're going to move forward to see if it's something that could be added to the budget. It's going to be the council that decides. In June, we'll know the final answer.''

Bruckner said the money would allow the 80-member association to occupy and organize exhibitions and workshops in the 615-square-foot storefront for one year. It would be weaned off city funds as the gallery gains traction over the years.

``We're being a little cautious so that not just anybody could come to the city and ask for money,'' Lantis said. ``But they've done their homework, and it looks like they've really thought it through.''

Bielefeldt, a Valencia resident who works for a local water utility, said a gallery could offer a much-needed permanent home for local artists.

``There are a lot of artists who aren't noticed,'' she said. ``A lot of artists are in the studio and don't do a lot of promoting themselves. It is extremely difficult to find businesses to hang artwork in their lobby.''

Eugene Tong, [phone]

eugene.tong(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

Members of the Santa Clarita Artists' Association show off work they are eager to see displayed in a community gallery in Old Newhall. They are petitioning the city for $25,000 to open it.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer