Asking specifically for creative, unusual, and different responses to the landscape--in other words, anything but the norm--the East Bay Regional Park District is teaming up with the Bankhead Theater in Livermore to begin a traveling exhibition of artworks based on any of the East Bay Regional Parks, and are putting out an Open Call to all artists living within 50 miles of the San Francisco Bay Area. Called, "A Different View: A New Take on our Regional Parks," the exhibition will act as the starting point for a host of 75th Anniversary activities for the Park District, and select works from the exhibit will travel to other East Bay exhibition sites as the celebration continues throughout 2009 (sites to be announced). Twelve works will be selected for the district's popular 2009 calendar, a piece with widespread distribution throughout the East Bay.

"A Different View" will run at the Bankhead Theater, 2400 First Street, Livermore, CA, from September 17 through October 30, during the theater’s busiest time of the year as well as exposing the works to art lovers that crowd the streets during ArtWalk 2008. A reception (reservations required at 925-373-6800) is planned for September 24.

Artist submissions are due August 15, and the prospectus is available by e-mailing bothwell@livermoreperformingarts.org with "A Different View" in the subject line. The fee of $15 for three works will cover the cost of the exhibition and awards. Any proceeds from the exhibition will help support the Bothwell Arts Center, a multi-arts facility that provides affordable space to over 30 artists and arts groups. The Bankhead Theater and the Bothwell are projects of the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center, committed to community enrichment.

The East Bay Regional Park District operates 65 well-loved parks within the greater East Bay, covering over 100,000 acres and more than 1,150 miles of trails, helping to ensure preservation of the natural beauty of the Bay Area, wildlife habitat, and rare and endangered species.