Hello Goodbye
San Francisco Arts Commission to Send Off Former President,
While the African American Art & Culture Complex Welcomes Johnston onto Board

SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Arts Commission will say its goodbyes to longtime Commission President PJ Johnston at a community celebration on March 24, just as the African American Art & Culture Complex welcomes Johnston onto its board of directors.

WHAT: “Hello Goodbye Hello Goodbye Hello Goodbye” A Community Celebration Honoring Former Arts Commission President PJ Johnston
WHEN: 7-11 p.m., Saturday, March 24, 2012
WHERE: The African American Art & Culture Complex, 762 Fulton Street San Francisco
*Suggested charitable donation at the door: $20

The March 24 party will be open to the public and take place in AAACC’s Hall of Culture, on Fulton Street in the Fillmore District. The “Hello Goodbye” celebration will be a low-ticket fundraiser, with suggested donations going to fund AAACC programs. The Latin dance band Manicato, a local favorite, will perform.

Johnston served on the Arts Commission for eight years – seven of them as president. After stepping down in January, he joined the African American Art & Culture Complex Board of Directors in February.

“Under PJ’s leadership, the San Francisco Arts Commission rose to the level of a world class arts agency. By pioneering groundbreaking programs and supporting award-winning exhibition projects, the SFAC now serves as a model for municipal arts agencies around the country. PJ gave of himself for so long, in so many ways, for all those years – he is deeply respected and beloved by the arts community for all he accomplished,” said JD Beltran, newly-appointed president of the SFAC. “We just need to say thank you and so long…and we know you won’t be far away!”

AAACC is one of four Cultural Centers in San Francisco primarily funded by the SFAC, but it is operated as an independent nonprofit organization, with its own staff and board of directors.

“PJ has been a champion for the Cultural Centers and the arts in San Francisco,” said London Breed, AAACC’s executive director. “It is truly significant to have the past president of the Arts Commission become a member of the board of directors. It demonstrates his passion and commitment to the arts and ensuring that equity in the arts continues to be a priority for our city.

Johnston expressed a deep fondness for AAACC: “I remain committed to the arts in San Francisco, and I can see no better way to do my part than to help this incredibly vital center continue to thrive,” he said. “AAACC has always had a special place in my heart, so it is an honor to be able to join the team.

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