MINUTES
CULTURAL AND HERITAGE COMMISSION
DOWNTOWN ANAHEIM COMMUNITY CENTER, 250 E. CENTER ST., ANAHEIM, CA 92805 July 16, 2026 – 6:30 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT STAFF PRESENT
Erika Nguyen, Chair Jane Newell, Heritage Services Manager Karen Uyematsu, Vice Chair Nikki Sandusky, Community Services Superintendent David Zuniga Art Varela, Community Services Supervisor
Saul Contreras Barbara Leggett, Senior Secretary
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
Samantha Bell Harris
Richard Romeros
A G E N D A A C T I O N T A K E N
1) CALL TO ORDER: Chair Nguyen called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. 2) ROLL CALL: Roll was taken; quorum confirmed.
3) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Art Varela.
4) APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chair Nguyen presented the meeting minutes for April 16, 2026, for Commissioners’ review and consideration of any necessary revisions, with none. She moved to approve the minutes, and Commissioner Uyematsu seconded the motion. Chair Nguyen formally accepted the minutes as presented. 5) UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: Kevin Clausen, winner of the America 250 Anaheim Poster Contest, was present to share his experience and the inspiration behind creating his winning entry, Home By The River. 6) SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: None.
7) NEW BUSINESS: Chair Nguyen initiated the annual election for the Chair and Vice Chair. Commissioner Contreras nominated Chair Nguyen for Chair. With no further nominations, Commissioner Nguyen accepted, and the vote was four in favor, with none opposed. Commissioner Nguyen then nominated Commissioner Contreras for Vice Chair.
With no other nominations, Commissioner Contreras accepted, and a vote was held, resulting in four votes in favor and none opposed.
8) SUB-COMMITTEES:
a) Center Gallery: Community Services Supervisor Art Varela provided a recap of the previous exhibit featuring the original Anaheim Landmarks paintings and shared an invitation that included examples of the artwork on display. Heritage Services Manager Jane Newell noted that the Historic Preservation Commission's interest in displaying the collection stemmed from the paintings' original creation for the Bicentennial. Community Services Supervisor Art Varela shared an invitation to the upcoming reception for the Chicano Heritage Exhibit on Wednesday, July 22nd, at 6:30, featuring works by Emigdio Vasquez, including two pieces from a private collection that have not been on public display for over fifty years. Additionally, other artists on display include La Artista Marina, Julio Moncada, and Franky Castle.
b) Heritage: Heritage Services Manager Jane Newell shared that school tours have finished for the season. She gave a recap of the Independence Day celebration held at Founders’ Park on July 11th, which had 70 attendees. It included an American 250 treasure hunt.
Heritage Services Manager Jane Newell also handed out a flyer and spoke about the upcoming Plant & Seed Swap, taking place on August 1 from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Founders’ Park.
ITEM # 03
Cultural & Heritage Commission
July 16, 2026
c) Poet Laureate: Community Services Superintendent Nikki Sandusky announced that on April 21st, the Poet Laureate Camille Hernandez was introduced to our City Council, where she shared a few poems. d) America 250 Poster Contest: Community Services Superintendent Nikki Sandusky announced that the mayor selected a winner from the four artists recommended by the Cultural & Heritage Commissions’ America 250 Poster Sub Committee, noting that the poster was on display at the U.S Conference of Mayors in Long Beach.
Community Services Superintendent Nikki Sandusky also suggested dissolving the America 250 Poster Sub Committee. The Commission agrees that this subcommittee is no longer needed and will dissolve, effective July 16, 2026.
9) INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Senior Secretary, Barbara Leggett, reminded the Commission of the notice for training of the SB827 emailed to each Commissioner by the City Clerk. This is mandatory (Fiscal & Ethics) 2-hour training; deadlines are included in the email sent. Commissioners were advised to confirm receipt of the email and to notify Barbara Leggett if they did not receive a notice.
Community Services Supervisor Art Varela gave a recap of the Children's Art Festival on May 16th, thanked the Cultural & Heritage Commission for their participation in the event, and shared that the interactive painting activity the Commission hosted is now on display at the West Anaheim Youth Center. He also noted that the Anaheim Ballet will be performing at Pearson Park Amphitheater on Friday, July 17th, at 6:30 p.m., followed by the first concert on July 25th, Britain’s Finest.
Chair Nguyen reported that Chance Theater is currently hosting the Speak Up Summer program, also celebrating the 9th Summer of the Spectrum Speak Up Program. At 10:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings. She also announced the opening of the Summer Show; Jagged Little Pill has many sold-out performances.
Commissioner Uyematsu passed out a flyer for the Obon Festival taking place Saturday, July 18th and 19th, between 2:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
10) ADJOURNMENT: Chair Nguyen adjourned the meeting at 7:06 p.m.