City of Walnut Creek, 1751 Heather Dr, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, US

The Arts, Recreation & Community Services department of the city of Walnut Creek oversees recreation, youth and family services, civic arts education, the Lesher Center for the Arts and the Bedford Gallery. It also manages and installs public art exhibitions throughout town. The director of this division is Barry Gordon. Bedford Gallery has become a well-regarded, Bay Area-gallery that exhibits museum-quality shows. Each year, the mid-sized gallery curates approximately 5-6 exhibitions, focusing on a variety of themes and showcasing the works of historically-important, modern and contemporary artists (both local and international in scope). The exhibition program aims to appeal to Walnut Creek's diverse arts audience. Bedford Gallery gives educational tours of the space and runs workshops for area-school students, families and other members of the community. The gallery also manages Walnut Creek's public art program. Civic Arts Education: For more than 40 years, Civic Arts Education has been the regional center of arts learning; providing high-quality classes in art, dance, music and the performing arts. Each year, nearly 16,000 adults and children enjoy classes—that run the gamut from beginning- to professional-level options. Civic Arts Education also runs summer camps, as well as classes for home-schooled students. Lesher Center for the Arts: Opened in 1990, the Lesher Center for the Arts presents more than 900 musical and theatrical events every year, ranging from classical music to classic theatrical productions such as, Oklahoma!. Event ticket-holders get free access to the Bedford Gallery, located on the center's first floor. The Center is home to the Center Repertory Company, Diablo Theatre Company and Contra Costa Musical Theatre. Recreation Services: Recreation Services provides a variety of recreational programs, activities and classes for people of all ages, from pre-schoolers to adults. Recreation Services runs the city's aquatics programs, the Walnut Creek Tennis Center at Heather Farm Park, summer sports camps for kids of all ages and the after-school sports programs at Foothill Middle School and Walnut Creek Intermediate.