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Atherton Arts Foundation details events, classes and donor-funded picnic table at Parks & Rec meeting
Summary
Dorothy of the Atherton Arts Foundation told the Parks & Rec committee the foundation ran dozens of classes and shows in 2025, reached roughly 200 unique participants and maintains a mailing list of about 440; she said the foundation will fund a picnic table as a tribute pending Parks & Rec approval and location selection.
Dorothy, representing the Atherton Arts Foundation, updated the Parks & Recreation committee on the group’s 2025 activities and its plans for 2026, and said the foundation will pay for a donated picnic table pending approval of placement by the Parks & Rec Committee.
The presentation listed recent work in the main house — new flooring and wall painting — and a calendar of exhibitions and events, including a veterans‑honoring fall show that featured 14 veterans and 15 family members, and a planned all‑women artists’ show around International Women’s Day in March. Dorothy said, “Everyone who has entered that room has noticed the difference,” when referring to the renovated main‑house space.
The foundation described an expanding education program with roughly 20 distinct classes and a dozen instructors in 2025; Dorothy said she personally counted “over 200” unique individuals who attended classes last year and that the group’s mailing list is about 440 addresses. She said Atherton residents make up many board members but that class participants come from nearby cities including Redwood City, Menlo Park, Mountain View and Sunnyvale.
Dorothy outlined plans to pilot a tween art club (to be run by vetted instructors and not framed as a formal class) and said the foundation is coordinating with the town library’s event coordinator, Nick, to bring speakers and co‑host talks. She also noted storage and security concerns for artwork currently kept in the main house: “We’ve had one painting stolen, we’ve had one painting damaged,” she said, and committee members discussed options such as signage and cameras. Staff cautioned that camera installation and monitoring would require town approval and budgeting.
On donations, Dorothy said the foundation will cover the cost of a picnic table as “a gift from a woman who was a many‑year member” of the foundation; the committee agreed the Parks & Rec group will determine placement, size and final approval. Will (staff) said he will follow up and agendize the formal placement decision at a future meeting.
The committee asked Dorothy to limit displays to the main house for now and to continue cataloging donor artists for the historic society; Dorothy said she is compiling a list of artworks and donor histories to share with the historic society.
The committee did not take a formal vote on any new policy during the presentation; staff will bring follow‑up items (security/camera budget and picnic table placement) to a future meeting.
