$1 million gift will turn SLO’s Performing Arts Center plaza into an ‘enchanted oasis’
The Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo will get a major upgrade to its plaza, transforming it into an “enchanted oasis” thanks to a $1 million gift.
Ty and Trudie Safreno, co-founders of Trust Automation Inc. in San Luis Obispo, announced a donation from their company Saturday evening at the Foundation for the Performing Arts Center’s premiere of the movie “Playing in Unison.” The documentary tells the story of the development of the PAC, located on the edge of the Cal Poly campus, as a partnership between the nonprofit, the university and the city.
Trudie Safreno has served on the FPAC’s board of directors for nine years and is the immediate past president.
The money will be used to create a new gathering spot in front of the venue, including tables, chairs, trees and colorful lighting so that the space can be used day or night.
“Trust Automation has been a sponsor of the FPAC School Matinee program for many years,” Ty Safreno told The Tribune. “The plaza in front of the PAC was always missing something. It was a pass-through space and not a space which encouraged people to hang out and enjoy each other. This donation will complement the amazing building and create a place for everyone to decompress, gather before a show, and enjoy each other’s company after a performance. The FPAC has a history of giving back to the community, and at Trust Automation one of our core values is ‘Community.’”
The Safrenos developed the concept with Ray Spencer, a close friend who worked at Walt Disney Imagineering for more than 20 years and was the executive creative director responsible for many Disney parks, hotels, shops and restaurants, the FPAC said in a news release.
“The vision for this donation is to create an enchanted oasis on the plaza space in front of the Performing Arts Center,” the FPAC said.
The new plaza is envisioned as “refuge where students and theater guests alike can sit, enjoy a cup of coffee, a snack, unwind and recharge under the comfort of a lacy canopy of trees by day, a magical oasis of light and color by night, a place that can change mood and tempo as desired — a multi-use space that welcome students, faculty, staff and PAC guests,” according to the release.
The space can shift in use from a cozy spot for rest and relaxation to an informal performance venue to a place for food and drink before and after PAC events.
Ty Safreno estimated it would take about a year and a half to two years to complete the project.
Kristin Hoover, interim executive director of the FPAC, welcomed the Safrenos on stage after the screening of the documentary, which was the centerpiece of a celebration marking the 25th anniversary of the PAC’s opening in 1996. The party was delayed a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Trudie and Ty are two people who embody the spirit and heart of philanthropy,” Hoover said in the news release. “They recognize needs in our community and step up to support them. They are incredibly compassionate, humble, and are brilliant visionaries — seeing and responding to the needs surrounding them.”
Hoover said coronavirus-related shutdowns showed how critical the arts are to the community’s well-being and mental health.
“The power of a shared experience is unparalleled and as you walk out of this building, you feel a bit lighter and more enlightened,” she said. “Performers have also missed being onstage and we aim to support even more local resident arts groups and welcome as many children as possible to the PAC through our school matinee program.”
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At Saturday’s event, Hoover also announced the foundation’s new fundraising campaign, Find Your Center, of which the Safrenos’ gift is the lead donation. The multi-million-dollar campaign will run over the next few years, culminating with the 30th anniversary of the PAC in 2026.
“I want to honor the individuals in our community who raised that original $12.5 million needed to construct the PAC and those who have given generously over the past 25 years to bring new elements, equipment and aesthetics to the building,” Hoover said. “I look forward to honoring many more supporters as we embark on our Find Your Center campaign, and what will be possible through those donations.”
The Foundation for the Performing Arts Center is a nonprofit fundraising organization that promotes the PAC and elevates the arts in the community in collaboration with Cal Poly and the city of SLO, especially by ensuring local arts groups and performers have access to the venue.
For those who missed the documentary’s premiere, “Playing in Unison” will be shown as part of the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival at 5:15 p.m. Saturday at Downtown Centre Cinemas in San Luis Obispo. Tickets are available at www.slofilmfest.org.
This story has been updated with comments from Ty Safreno.
This story was originally published April 26, 2022 at 11:24 AM with the headline "$1 million gift will turn SLO’s Performing Arts Center plaza into an ‘enchanted oasis’."
