The Polish Arts and Culture Foundation of San FranciscoAn educational non-profit organization
by Wanda Tomczykowska (edited by Gillian Olechno-Huszcza)
The Polish Arts and Culture Foundation was established by Wanda Tomczykowska, Professor Peter Dale Scott and Zdzislaw Zakrzewski and their friends in 1966 (the 1OOOth anniversary of Poland's conversion to Christianity) as an educational non-profit organization to promote Polish arts and culture. It opened on May 3rd of that year, to commemorate Poland's Constitution of 1791.
Its objectives are as follows:
To share the wealth of Polish arts and culture with all Americans, whether or not they are of Polish heritage;To establish scholarships for students of Polish art and culture, through contributions from members, organizations and member participants in Foundation activities.
Work began immediately. Volunteers prepared countless exhibits on Polish history, sciences, arts and culture on several university campuses, in public libraries and in department stores throughout the Bay Area. Radio station KPFA-FM and the University of California radio station KALX-FM broadcast regular programs on the history of Polish music, and festive programs (some accompanied by Polish foods) were presented at the historic Sheraton Palace Hotel in San Francisco, Stanford University's International Center and at various functions of the World Affairs Council and People-to-People Organization.
In addition, the famous bells of the DC Berkeley's Campanile frequently played Polish melodies; there were showings of Polish films; translations of Polish texts on education, music, sciences etc. were prepared for American professionals and organizations; illustrated lectures were presented at schools, universities and other organizations. Holy Masses for Poland were said at churches throughout the area.
Many of these activities were expanded far beyond the Bay Area. The PACF cooperated with organizations such as the San Francisco and Oakland Symphony Orchestras, the San Francisco and Oakland Museums, the United Nations Association, the Faculty Clubs at UCB and Stanford, TV stations KPIX, KGO, KTVU and KMST in Monterey. Interviews were given on the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe. A branch of the Foundation was founded in San Antonio, Texas.
Realizing that it could have serious impact only if it was accessible to the public, the Foundation obtained rent-free space at the International Center, thanks to its Director Father Alfred Boeddecker. The spacious former library was transformed into an art gallery. All this was accomplished by volunteers.
In this larger space a small library was established. Exhibits commemorating Polish and Polish - American authors and artists were held. Weekly Polish language lessons for Americans and English lessons for Poles took place in the new facility, and there were Polish traditional dinners, poetry readings, concerts and receptions for Polish orchestras, singers, scholars, writers and film directors. There was even a children's theater. Polish film festivals were given in cooperation with the San Francisco Museums, cinemas in Carmel and the Pacific Film Archive at UCB.
The Foundation moved its headquarters three times, the first time to Union Square in 1974, where the Polish Memorial Library was established and where the only collection in the world of the paintings of Stefan Norblin donated by his son Andrew is housed. The second move was to the Marines' Memorial Building in 1978, where the previous activities continued and expanded. The Foundation found a permanent home at 1290 Sutter Street in 1979, and all activities including the Polish Memorial Research Library are concentrated there.
On the Foundation's fifteenth anniversary in 1981, the first Polonaise Ball was held to commemorate the independence of Poland (November 11, 1918). This has now become an annual function and is one of the most elegant affairs in San Francisco. Held at the Fairmont Hotel it is the Foundation's major fund raiser. Since 1989 benefits from the Ball are shared with the Fund for Children's Relief in Poland, which supplies medical needs to hospitals in Torun, Bydgoszcz and Sosnowiec.
Among its most notable recent achievements are the establishment of a Polish Black Madonna Chapel in Saint Mary's Cathedral in San Francisco and the naming of Lech Walesa Street in downtown San Francisco near City Hall. In 1990 the Foundation hosted the 42nd National Convention of the American Council for Polish Culture, the first time this event has been held on the West Coast.
The Foundation is governed by an Executive Board, a Board of Trustees and Honorary Board of Trustees, who serve as advisors. Since 1966, Wanda Tomczykowska has been the President. Under her guidance, volunteers continue the important work of the Foundation. The office, library and art gallery are open to the public on a daily basis; special commemorative, educational and social programs are offered each month and a monthly newsletter, FORUM, is published.
From: Polish Americans in California, vol. II. National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs & Polish American Historical Association. California 1995.