October is National Arts and Humanities Month, and the Folsom City Council, Folsom Arts and Cultural Commission, and the Parks and Recreation Department are celebrating! 

Throughout the month, Folsom residents are encouraged to explore new facets of the arts and humanities and begin a lifelong habit of active participation in the arts. It also provides an opportunity to celebrate cultural creativity throughout the nation and increase public awareness of the cultural services that are available in each community.

 Begin your exploration of what’s available locally with Folsom Parks and Recreation’s current Activity Guide, which includes a wide range of dance and art classes for youth, teens, adults and seniors. Most of these programs take place at the Folsom Art Center, located at 48 Natoma Street. Stop in, take a tour and learn more about the programs; while you’re there, take in the free Circles of Light exhibit in the Gallery at 48 Natoma. If photography is your passion, consider entering the Folsom Focus Photography Contest; entries are due no later than October 27 and will be featured in an exhibit later this fall at the Folsom Art Center.

The public is also invited to join a walking tour of the newly restored public art at Folsom’s Natoma Station. Fifteen different artists—some who have garnered international acclaim since the pieces were fashioned in the 1990s—created the 21 pieces, which range from murals to sculptures. A local conservator and artist has spent the past two years carefully restoring the art to ensure it may be enjoyed for many years to come.

Don’t miss Folsom Symphony’s Family Concert: Connections @ Symphony on October 3, followed by a guided hands-on “instrument petting zoo” for attendees to try their hand at a variety of musical instruments. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit this link.

Other events range from dance and musical performances to theatre and the popular Night of 1,000 Pumpkins in Folsom’s Historic District.

 — Lesley Miller

For a complete list of these events and others, visit folsom.ca.us.