Friday, May 09, 2008

The Eccles Community Art Center is the home of:

For further information, please contact:
Sandy Havas, Director 
2580 Jefferson Avenue
Ogden, UT 84401
Telephone (801) 392-6935

Rotary Club of Ogden (801)392-5343

Junior League of Ogden (801) 393-2540

Ogden Opera Guild c/o 2580 Jefferson Avenue, Ogden, Utah 84401

Weber County Heritage c/o 2580 Jefferson Avenue, Ogden, Utah 84401

The Eccles Community Art Center is the home of:

The Gallery Theater, a Community Theater that produces one-act plays by local authors. This gallery has an open seating policy and is limited to an audience of 50.

2007 -  2008 Season: 

THE SNARE, by David Vaughn—A mystery thriller with murder in the making, plenty of suspense and an ending served up with a twist.

March 6, 7, 8, 2008, Doors 6:30 p.m., Curtain 7:00 p.m.

Matinee: March 8, Doors 1:30 p.m., Curtain 2:00 p.m.

A MONUMENT WITH ANGELS, by Clarence Socwell—A sympathetic drama about a woman who copes with the loss of her husband by finding hope and caring with the help of complete strangers.

 April 24, 25, 26, 2008, Doors 6:30 p.m., Curtain 7:00 p.m.

Matinee: April 26, Doors 1:30 p.m., Curtain 2:00 p.m.

MOODS AND MANIA, by Mary Ellen Lykins, Clarence Socwell, and Kent Winward—back by popular demand—an entertaining look at the experiences and moods of a group of troubled troubadours caught in an ambiguous dimension.

June 16, 17, 18, 2008, Doors 6:30 p.m., Curtain 7:00 p.m.

Special Performance: June 19, Davis Conference Center, 1651 North 700 West, Layton, UT

Doors 6:30 p.m., Curtain 7:00 p.m. No tickets will be sold at the door for this performance.

Advance tickets must be purchased at Eccles Community Art Center, 2580 Jefferson Avenue, Ogden.

Tickets $8, each. A season pass to five performances, $35.00.   Call 392-6935 for tickets and reservations.

Tickets may be purchased at the art center in advance of the performance or at the door.

The plays at the Gallery Theater are not recommended for young children or infants. Children must have their own ticket.

NOTE: All plays produced at Gallery Theater are original scripts written by local playwrights.  All proceeds go the Eccles Community Art Center, a nonprofit organization.

Call for Theater Personnel: Experienced and/or talented amateur actors of various ages, directors, technical staff, stage hands, and playwrights are needed on a volunteer basis. To be on a calling list, submit name, address, phone number, a statement of interest, and a resume of experience. Actors should include a physical description and/or current photograph. Mail information to Production Manager, Clarence P. Socwell, Eccles Community Art Center, 2580 Jefferson Avenue, Ogden, Utah 84401 or fax (801) 392-5295.

 History of the Art Center:

The house known as the Eccles Community Art Center was built in 1893 for James Clarence Armstrong, an Ogden businessman.  In 1896, the house was purchased by David and Bertha Eccles.  It owes much of its character to David, Bertha, and the twelve Eccles children who occupied it for fifty years.   The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

David Eccles & Bertha Jensen Eccles History:

 
 Born in poverty in Scotland, David Eccles came to Utah as a boy of 14.  Here he rose to great wealth, leaving a mark on the economy of this region that continues today.  Bertha Jensen Eccles was born in Denmark and also came to Utah as a child.  Her legacy to the community is especially important in the history of her home.  At her invitation, groups such as the Girl Scouts, Children's Aid Society, Drama Club, Child Culture, Martha Society, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and Red Cross all held meetings in this house.   In her later years, Bertha Eccles made it known to her family that she would like the building kept intact and used for the purpose of education and cultural development of the community.
Bertha Eccles' wish for her home was granted when her family gave the house to Weber State University in 1948.  At that time Weber State was located on a campus owned by the LDS Church.  The house became "Bertha Eccles Hall", a women's dormitory and social center.

When Weber State moved its campus, the house and other buildings of the downtown campus reverted to the ownership of the LDS Church.  The history of the house took another turn at this point thanks to the efforts of a group called the Ogden Community Arts Council.  Formed in 1953, the Council was made up of representatives from over 20 local civic and cultural organizations interested in providing a center for the arts in this community.  Knowing that their goal was most compatible with the wishes of Bertha Eccles, the Ogden Arts Council approached the LDS Church, requesting the house for use as a community art center.  A deed to the Eccles home was given to the Council, in 1959.  The name given to the facility was Bertha Eccles Community Art Center.   In 1976 the name of both the facility and the non-profit organization that supports it was changed to the Eccles Community Art Center.