Muckenthaler Cultural Center

From the outside, the Muckenthaler Cultural Center is a slice of old Fullerton, looking down on Malvern Avenue from the middle of a carefully manicured expanse of green. Inside, though, the 66-year-old mansion is often home to some of the latest in contemporary art. Inspired by a building in the 1915 Exposition at San Diego's Balboa Park, the Italian Renaissance-style home (designed by architect Frank Benchley) was built in 1924 for Walter and Adella Muckenthaler.

6pm Art The works of 20 contemporary Native American artists will be on display at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center in "Traditions & Visions: American Indian Art." A reception, presented by the Muckenthaler Cultural Foundation, and slide lecture featuring artist David Bradley is at 8 p.m. Artists presenting their own images of the Southwest include Bradley, Tony Abeyta, Emerson Chee, B. Yazzi, Melanie Yazzi, Nan Naminga, John Nieto, Ha-So-De (Abeyta), Clifford Beck and Alan Houser.

Photographer Annie Leibovitz issued a statement Friday saying she is "glad" that her nude portrait of John Lennon is again part of the Muckenthaler Cultural Center's "Heroes, Heroines, Idols and Icons" show. But she added a cautionary note. "I fear this is not the last time this sort of censorship will be attempted," she said. "In the current political climate, people are running scared. What worries me is how much self-censorship there is.

The National Watercolor Society's 80th Annual Exhibition opens at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Fullerton. More than 73 juried paintings from artists in the United States, New Zealand and Singapore will be on display. There will also be three half-day workshops led by professional watercolorists whose work is featured in the show. National Watercolor Society 80th Annual Exhibition, Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton. Noon-4 p.m. $2. (714) 738-6595.

The Resident Theatre Company, which has produced the Muckenthaler Cultural Center's summer Theatre-on-the-Green program for three years, has parted ways with the center, citing attempts by center trustees to interfere--complaints similar to those that last week led to the resignation of the center's curator.

The bar was pouring fruit punch instead of Chardonnay, and a juggling clown replaced the usual string quartet, but to the exhibiting artists, Sunday's opening reception at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center was truly intoxicating. The fun launched the 15th annual Florence Arnold Children's Art Festival, in which more than 400 Fullerton grade-schoolers see their art promoted from the family bulletin board to the stately Muckenthaler gallery.

New York-based Japanese artist Kenro Izu will display his photography of the architecture and sculptures of a 12th century temple in Angkor Wat, Cambodia, from June 17 to Aug. 13 at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Fullerton. The Muckenthaler Cultural Center is at 1201 W. Malvern Ave. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for students and seniors and free for children 12 and under. Information: (714) 738-6340.

The National Watercolor Society's 80th Annual Exhibition opens at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Fullerton. More than 73 juried paintings from artists in the United States, New Zealand and Singapore will be on display. There will also be three half-day workshops led by professional watercolorists whose work is featured in the show. National Watercolor Society 80th Annual Exhibition, Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton. Noon-4 p.m. $2. (714) 738-6595.

Jane K. Bledsoe, a seasoned museum administrator, has been named director of Fullerton's Muckenthaler Cultural Center, effective Sept. 1. She will be the first full-time, non-city employee to take the organization's helm. Bledsoe, selected unanimously this week by the Muckenthaler Cultural Center Foundation board, is executive director of San Pedro's Angels Gate Cultural Center, a community arts center.

6pm Art The works of 20 contemporary Native American artists will be on display at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center in "Traditions & Visions: American Indian Art." A reception, presented by the Muckenthaler Cultural Foundation, and slide lecture featuring artist David Bradley is at 8 p.m. Artists presenting their own images of the Southwest include Bradley, Tony Abeyta, Emerson Chee, B. Yazzi, Melanie Yazzi, Nan Naminga, John Nieto, Ha-So-De (Abeyta), Clifford Beck and Alan Houser.

Young musicians from the Fullerton High School Academy of the Arts will revive the swing sounds of the 1940s with a free jazz concert from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave. The ensemble choir and band members from the school's Jazz Studies Department will perform hits made popular by the Count Basie Orchestra, Manhattan Transfer and others. Information: (714) 738-6595.

It may well be Shakespeare's silliest play. "As You Like It" has as a minor plot a farfetched tale about a usurped dukedom and a disenfranchised younger brother. It is really only an excuse for comic shenanigans in the Forest of Arden in an Elizabethan version of "The Dating Game." Modern directors have a ball tacking even sillier concepts onto the play. A perfect example is Grove Theater Center's staging at Fullerton's Muckenthaler Cultural Center.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY Acme Comedy Theatre, 135 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 525-0202. Actors Alley, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, (818) 508-4200. Actor's Circle Theatre, 7313 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, (310) 289-2999. Actors' Gang, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, Actors Gang El Centro, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, (323) 660-8587, (323) 465-0566. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 628-2772. Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd.

CAR SHOW The fifth Muckenthaler vintage race-car tour. Muckenthaler Cultural Center, Fullerton. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today. $12. (714) 738-6595. MUSIC The Capistrano Valley Symphony performs at 6 tonight, Mission San Juan Capistrano, 31522 Camino Capistrano. $15-$55. (949) 240-8584. DR. SEUSS "Green Eggs and Ham and Gertrude McFuzz," a family opera. Cerritos Center. 3:30 p.m. today. Children $7.50, adults $15. (800) 300-4345. AUTHOR James J. Rawls discusses conflict in the California Gold Rush.

In an effort to keep municipal expenditures down, Fullerton Museum Center director Joe Felz will assume the additional duties of managing the city's Muckenthaler Cultural Center. Muckenthaler director Judith Peterson has been given a new job, overseeing recruitment and training of volunteers to work in every city department. "The city is downsizing and reducing costs," said Susan Hunt, Fullerton's director of community services.