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Life can be challenging for an art foundations in today’s environment. California’s Pittsburg Arts and Community Foundation certainly understand this well. After the Pittsburg Arts and Community Foundation was facing a crisis due to losing their lease on the existing art program space, Anthony Keslinke, a longtime local businessman and real estate developer arranged for the non-profit to occupy a premier downtown location. This was just the help they needed, coming at the right time. And Keslinke was enthusiastic about helping.
“This foundation is a fundamental contributor to the fabric and richness of this community,” commented Anthony (Tony) Keslinke. “This community suffers from a lack of opportunity and reducing the footprint of the Arts and Community Foundation would be just one more unfair blow to the residents. We need every avenue of artistic and personal expression we can obtain in order to provide a bright future for our local community.”
It was these beliefs that motivated him to subsidize the rent and provide the commercial space located at 485 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg, CA so that the foundation could continue their vital work providing cultural programs to both children and seniors. A fledgling artist, Keslinke understands the value of art appreciation and the pride and satisfaction it can provide.
Janis Glover, the foundation’s director, said “Without the contribution of Mr. Keslinke, the fine arts program was in jeopardy of having no place to operate and having to cease operations” After scouring all available resources, she was shocked when the generous offer of one of the premier downtown locations was tendered to the foundation. “Not only did Mr. Keslinke provide the space, he also completed a full renovation to our specifications so that the foundation could move in and occupy a turn-key, state-of-the-art facility.”
Many residents will feel the benefits of this generosity for a long time to come.
Keslinke continues to build a reputation as someone who thinks first of the community which he loves and has worked in for over three decades. This is the second time in the past few years that Keslinke has reached out to lend a hand when the community was in need. A few years back when the local little league snack shack was vandalized, resulting in a significant loss of revenue for the organization, Keslinke stepped in with the aid of his private foundation, Kids at Risk, and repaired and remodeled the damaged facility placing the little league program back on solid footing.
The Pittsburg Arts and Community Foundation works to improve the quality of life in Pittsburg through support of literacy, art and performing arts, and promoting community pride.
Pittsburg Arts and Community Foundation (PACF) was founded in 2010, and is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. The administrative offices are located in City Hall at 65 Civic Avenue in Pittsburg.
You can also find PACF’s dedicated staff at the Old Town Art Center at 485 Railroad Avenue or the Railroad Book Depot store at 650 Railroad Avenue. PACF also operates art and performing arts programs for kids, families, and adults at various locations all year long.
During the summer you’ll find PACF at community events reading stories, hosting art projects, and giving away free books to promote literacy through the Reading Zone or Pittsburg Reads program.
PACF also hosts fundraisers and assists other local non-profit groups in their effort to improve the quality of life in Pittsburg.
To find out more, explore https://www.pittsburgartscommunityfoundation.org and check out PACF’s Facebook page and other pages.
About Anthony Keslinke
Anthony Keslinke draws from over 30+ years of real estate experience to create value through adaptive reuse and repositioning of real estate opportunities including commercial and residential projects such as apartments, mixed-use facilities, and properties with historic significance.
