Public Comment Correspondence submitted for November 14, 2023 Council Meeting

Linda Thai
From: Eddie Leon
Sent: Friday, October 27, 2023 2:20 PM
To: Downey City Clerk - Public Comment
Subject: questions
Good afternoon, wanted to ask for the proper steps to put an agenda for the council meeting I wanted to see about getting a roundabout for safety and speed in public street and some type of logo stating welcome to north east Downey just like the money the put into Orange estates.

Let me know my proper steps. Thank you
Eddie Leon

Linda Thai
From: pastel michelle
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2023 9:03 AM
To: Downey City Clerk - Public Comment
Cc: Timothy Horn; Stay Arts; Hector Sosa; Claudia M. Frometa Subject: Letter of Support for Stay Gallery's Continued Funding 11/2/2023
City of Downey
Attention: Downey City Council
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
Dear Mayor Frometa and City Council Members,
My name is Michelle, I am a muralist, Artist and Art Events Director. I would like to express my support for the continued funding of Stay Gallery from the City of Downey's Art In Public Places fund.

I have been part of and attended art shows in Stay Gallery, and have seen how people from Downey, and all over the city, have come together to enjoy the art events they hold. Not only do so many people get to enjoy the events, but it gives space to artists, young and old to be able to display their work. To hold a space where people can share their creations is very important to a community. As an artist myself, I am always filled with pride and gratefulness to find a place that will happily share my art. To be able to share what I create allows me to keep creating all the while inspiring others to create as well. Art is necessary, it allows you to express yourself, to let your emotions out, to create emotions in others, and brings beauty and color to the world.

I have personally worked with Stay Gallery and have seen how they run their space. Stay Gallery is a clean, respected space that gives space to people of all ages. Their events cater to different people and have impacted many. Having a space like Stay Gallery is a privilege to have in the city of Downey. Not many neighborhoods are as blessed to have a space like Stay Gallery.

I respectfully request the Downey City Council to include Stay Gallery's continued funding from the Art in Public Places fund on the agenda of a future city council meeting to be publicly voted on. Furthermore, I urge council members to support arts access for Downey artists, youth and families by voting in favor of Stay Gallery's continued funding. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Nancy Michelle

Linda Thai
From: Nicole Lopez
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2023 9:48 AM
To: Downey City Clerk - Public Comment
Cc: Claudia M. Frometa; [email protected]; Hector Sosa; Mario Trujillo; Timothy Horn Subject: Letter of Support for Stay Gallery's Continued Funding November 2, 2023
City of Downey
Attention: Downey City Council
11111 Brookshire Avenue Downey, CA 90241
Re: Letter of Support for Stay Gallery's Continued Funding Dear Mayor Frometa and City Council Members,
My name is Nicole Lopez. I am a lifelong resident of Downey and a congressional candidate for the district. I would like to express my support for the continued funding of Stay Gallery from the City of Downey's Art In Public Places fund.

Stay Gallery was one of the first galleries I ever went to in SELA and it made a lasting impact. I was 18 and had never had access to art galleries in my own hometown before. In 2012, 1 went to their grand opening and was so moved by the community and art scene that I began to seek out more galleries when I returned to college in Massachusetts and whenever I was back in Los Angeles. Stay Gallery lit a fire in me that has never dimmed when it comes to my appreciation of art, especially of art made by Latinas in LA. And I want it to do the same for future generations to come.

Sincerely,
Jazmin Nicole Lopez

November 7, 2023
City of Downey
Attention: Downey City Council
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
Re: Letter of Support for Stay Gallery's Continued Funding Dear Mayor Frometa and City Council Members,
My name is Kathy Perez and I am currently the President of The Downey Conservancy. As many of you know, our organization was founded in 2010 and is dedicated to preserving Downey's historic and cultural resources. On behalf of our Board of Directors and our members, I would like to express my support for the continued funding of Stay Gallery from the City of Downey's Art In Public Places fund.

Arts and cultural spaces play a crucial role in preserving a society's cultural heritage and history.

Public funding is essential to ensuring that these spaces have the necessary resources to acquire, preserve and exhibit artistic and cultural works.

In addition to providing the space for people to engage in the arts and creative activities, Stay Gallery has partnered with our organization to provide space for our monthly meetings, as well as our community historic preservation lectures, exhibitions, and fundraising events, including our Historic Downtown Downey Walking Tours. Stay Gallery has contributed to our mission and impact in the community. The Stay Gallery is a necessary place in our community — vital to Downey's quality of life for its residents.

I respectfully request the Downey City Council to include Stay Gallery's continued funding from the Art in Public Places fund on the agenda of a future city council meeting to be publicly voted on. Furthermore, I urge council members to preserve this cultural resource by voting in favor of Stay Gallery's continued funding.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Kathy Perez
President
DOWNEY

CONSERVANCY
www,thedowneyconservanc .org

November 11, 2023
City of Downey
Attention: Downey City Council
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
Re: Letter of Support for Stay Gallery's Continued Funding Dear Mayor Frometa and City Council Members,
My name is Ana Godinez and I am a Graphic Designer & Illustrator born and raised in Los Angeles. I have 10 years experience working primarily for mission -driven organizations and companies of all sizes throughout Southern California. I am currently the Creative Director for a winery and Head of Marketing for a book publishing company. I have degrees in Studio Art & English Literature from USC which has led me into the colorful world of children's book illustration in my free time.

I would like to express my support for the continued funding of Stay Gallery from the City of Downey's Art In Public Places fund.

I first walked into Stay Gallery after a Porto's run in April 2013.At the time, I was in my last semester of school and was ready to graduate with zero job experience that related to my field. I came back a few weeks later to apply for a position and ended up accepting an internship. That internship ran for an entire year, about 40 hours a week, and I happily accepted it with zero pay. Student loans began piling up so I interned from 9am-5pm Monday through Friday, and waitressed from 6pm-2am so that I could happily dedicate my time to Stay.

My internship, which eventually became a paying job, consisted of two major roles: curation for the gallery's Certified Local monthly exhibits, and youth program coordinator. As the "curator" of Stay Gallery, I made sure to fill our calendar with local talent that would be able to inspire Downey students, while also giving art shows to fellow USC up-and-coming artists. Although this curator position was exactly what I was looking for to add to my resume, nothing fulfilled me more than being the youth program coordinator. As the "youth program coordinator", I managed the diverse programs under the Stay Young Initiative: field trips, paint and cookies art classes, an art program for every class at Rio San Gabriel, art classes at Downey Unified's leap program PACE Education Center, collage classes at Carpenter elementary that resulted in student exhibitions, and running the Stay Connected internship program where I oversaw and taught local high schoolers how to create their own art programs and have them be plugged into our events calendar.

Aside from all the fun programming, there was also a need for graphic design during my time at Stay.

With the help of Gabriel, I learned how to design the majority of marketing materials for our exhibits and programs, and eventually took over that role so that he, along with the other two founders, could focus on larger projects dedicated to funding and making the space self sustainable.

Having access to the knowledge of the three founders, and the board of directors, was more valuable to me than my 4.5 years at USC. The people of Stay GaLLery helped me:
• Learn to decipher/create contracts for exhibiting artists and the renting of the creative space with the help of previous Lawyers who sat on our board. (I use these skills daily with my own design clients)
• Branch out of my comfort zone by pushing me to speak in front of thousands of Downey Unified students. (I had zero public speaking experience before walking into the gallery) • Pursue a career in marketing. (I now assist with large event marketing with huge institutions including The Smithsonian and the Los Angeles Festival of Books) • And lastly, Stay taught me how to foster relationships by networking with talented creatives in my field. Because of the connections I made at the gallery:
- I now do a Lot of graphic design projects with Downey businesses - I became the youngest investor of Blvd Market in Montebello - I landed my dream project of children's book illustrator where I illustrate a bilingual travel board book series available at over 800 big -box stores including Target, Kohl's, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.

Places like Stay GaLLery are important for the community to have because jobs in the art world become more accessible for the Latinx students in the area. After graduating college, I applied for multiple positions and every one of them turned me down for lack of experience. With local youth in Downey being exposed to the arts at a younger age: they have the privilege of having access to creative professionals, a creative outlet, and it opens the doors to places in the art world that are typically gate -kept. I truly and whole-heartedly believe that I would not be where I am as an artist without having spent 4.5 years at Stay. Over the years, my roles of curator and program coordinator have become the part of my resume I am most proud of.

I respectfully request the Downey City CounciL to include Stay Gallery's continued funding from the Art in Public Places fund on the agenda of a future city council meeting to be publicly voted on. Furthermore, I urge council members to support arts access for Downey artists, youth and families by voting in favor of Stay Gallery's continued funding. Thank you.
incereL ,
Ana Godinez

ov%ange 12,
6 EXCHANGE CLUB

FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER
November 8, 2023
'St/ppo'o-
City of Downey
Attention: Downey City Council
11111 Brookshire Ave.

Downey, CA 90241

PRESIDEM
Re: Letter of Support for Stay Gallery's Continued Funding

IMKE IACOVITTI

VICE PRESIDENT
Dear Mayor Frometa and City Council Members:

CLARK CLAYDON

SECRETARY
My name is Georganne Bruce and I am the Executive Director for the WA"DA JACOVITTI
Exchange Club Family Support Center, which has been serving our

TREASURER
community for more than thirty-two years.

TOM BURNEY
The Exchange Club Family Support Center matches Parent -Aides with

BOARD OF DMEC'MRS
RODNEY H. ADKINS, Ph.D
families that are referred to us by appropriate agencies. These families are

BUZZ CHAMBERS
referred because of suspected child abuse or are seen as being at high risk

BRENDON CLARNER
for abuse to occur. Inaddition, the Center receives self -referrals from

CATHY BALLON-GODINEZ

PAM LEE
individuals concerned with their own parenting. I would like to express my

CARRIE REDFOX
support for the continued funding of Stay Gallery from the City of Downey's Art in Public Places fund.

EXECUTWE DWECMR
GEORGANNE M. BRUCE
In June of this year, Exchange Club Center held two "Family Fun Day of Art" events for over 60 of our parents and their children. Some of these children have special needs and there was a bit of apprehension both, from the Center and the parents, as to how these children would respond to being in a different environment. To everyone's surprise and delight, they flourished and had a great time. After the event, we received nothing but praise and positive feedback from everyone who attended. Some of our client families have continued to visit Stay Gallery and participate in other events on their own.

Since,
anne Bruce
Executive Director
GB:mr
8320 I STREET, DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA 90241 (562) 904-9590
ww-w.DowneyFami1ySupport.com
Tax I.D. # 33-0423117

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GabrieCjuCtana. & Staff

November 11, 2023
City of Downey
Attention: Downey City Council
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
Re: Letter of Support for Stay Gallery's Continued Funding Dear Mayor Frometa and City Council Members,
I have been a longtime Downey resident and supporter of Stay Gallery making donations on a monthly basis to help support its operations. I am also Assistant Director of the J. Paul Getty Museum, which makes me especially appreciative and proud of the exceptional work done by Stay Gallery in bringing the arts to Downey and supporting the work of local artists. I write today to express my wholehearted support for the continued funding of Stay Gallery from the City of Downey's Art in Public Places fund.

Having worked in the arts for twenty plus years, I can confidently tell the City Council that art is an important driver in creating a civil community. Spaces like Stay Gallery are gathering places for the community to enjoy shared experiences and help develop a sense of community that can sometimes be missing from towns these days. Stay's commitment to presenting programming also helps introduce young people to art, something sorely missing in schools today. There are numerous studies that demonstrate the important role art plays in helping young people socialize and learn. I also believe that Stay Gallery's location in Downtown Downey makes it perfectly suited to play a pivotal role in the growth of the downtown neighborhood. In fact, I would encourage the city to consider even greater investment in the arts as a draw to more businesses to the area.

I respectfully request the Downey City Council include Stay Gallery's continued funding from the Art in Public Places fund on the agenda of a future city council meeting to be publicly voted on. Furthermore, I urge council members to support arts access for Downey artists, youth and families by voting in favor of Stay Gallery's continued funding. Thank you.

Sincerely,
P%6t i7&�
John Giurini

11 /10/2023
City of Downey
Attention: Downey City Council
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
Re: Letter of Support for Stay Gallery's Continued Funding Dear Mayor Frometa and City Council Members,
This is Sacha van der Most van Spijk, Executive Director and founder at Home Field Advantage, a non-profit leadership program in Downey. We provide coaching education for high school and college students and the opportunity to gain coaching experience at after -school sports programs in their neighborhoods. We are partners of Stay Gallery in creating culture and more meaningful connections in the City of Downey, and we educate DUSD students in DFEO after -school programs.

Stay Gallery has significantly contributed to the life of my family, as we have visited the gallery since its inception in 2012. This is where we found a sense of community, and our kids were introduced to arts programs. Our family businesses, as well as HFA, have partnered up with Stay on many occasions:
• My wife, Luz Lluncor, has organized several community financial literacy events at Stay with her business, New World Mortgage.
• Our daughter Yoli was part of the Stay Connected initiative and found a connection with a new generation of young local creatives.
• In 2017, we hosted 25 students from the Technical University in Eindhoven (The Netherlands) at Stay. They were on a tour around the world with an electric motorcycle they developed to show how far alternative transportation can take you. • We brought The Anne Frank Foundation to Stay Gallery to organize a multiple -day educational program for students from five LA County -based schools, followed by a regional exhibition. This significant international organization provided valuable insights to our youth about living a life of courage and the importance of passing on this story to the next generations. Our son, Zebas, was one of the high school students who received the peer guide educational program and personally provided guided tours to the

Honorary Consul of the Netherlands, Jan van Tilburg, and Downey Mayor Rick Rodriguez.
• We hosted the HFA New Year's Fundraising Reception at Stay in 2019 with about 100 guests: community student -athletes, parents, City of Downey Council members, professional soccer players, and local businesses who sponsor our program. • Since 2022, Stay Gallery has joined HFA in educating DUSD students during DFEO after -school programs at all elementary schools in Downey. • In January 2023, Stay Gallery participated in HFA's Community Market at our Clubhouse.

I found a place of belonging in the City of Downey on my first visit to Stay Gallery. After living in Downey for 12 years, I was never much impressed by the city, as I always missed a sense of social connection. When the Gallery opened in 2012, we met the founders and a group of interesting people with similar interests who became our friends. This made me realize even more that social connection does not come by itself but is a product of a city's infrastructure. A community where people feel at home and connected needs physical spaces where locals meet other locals with shared passions, like arts, sports, music, and other hobbies without having a financial incentive.

Stay Gallery's art programming and involvement in community activities have touched many people in our city and played a significant role in developing a new generation of creatives. This social impact is hard to express in a dollar amount. Still, i am convinced that the social return on investment by the City of Downey, on the quality of life in this community is much higher than the small rent it takes to help Stay Gallery stay alive.

I respectfully request the Downey City Council to include Stay Gallery's continued funding from the Art in Public Places fund on the agenda of a future city council meeting to be publicly voted on. Furthermore, I urge council members to support arts access for Downey artists, youth, and families by voting in favor of Stay Gallery's continued funding. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Sacha van der Most van Spijk

Linda Thai
From: Miguel Nunez
Sent: Monday, November 13, 2023 4:41 PM
To: Downey City Clerk - Public Comment
Cc: [email protected]; Claudia M. Frometa; Mario Trujillo; Hector Sosa; Timothy Horn Subject: Letter of Support For Stay Gallery Continued Funding Dear Mayor Frometa and City Council Members,
I'm a resident of Long Beach and graduated from Downey High, class of 2000. I would like to express my support for the continued funding of Stay Gallery from the City of Downey's Art In Public Places fund. • As a resident of Long Beach and former resident of Downey, access to the arts and community is immensely important and 100% in -line with the City's stated goals and priorities • I regularly travel to Downey to participate in events at the Gallery, bringing dollars from outside of the city to be spent in downtown Downey businesses
• Activities at the Gallery activate Downey Boulevard and nearby streets creating an inviting environment for people of all ages and levels of knowledge about art 0 Stay Gallery offers various price points so that less affluent children and families can access the arts, providing an invaluable service to local residents they may not otherwise have access to and you should consider looking at this from their perspective
• The City can afford to allocate over 63 Million Dollars from the general fund for police and fire, but can't find several thousand dollars for the Arts? An expenditure of $50,000 is less than half a percent of what goes to police/fire and this imbalance in investment merits a re-examination from the City Council 0 Stay Gallery hosts a number of events that encourage community engagement and neighbors spending time together in an educational and safe environment • Taking away this asset from the community will cost the City more in the long run to fill this void and provide the benefits that the gallery and associated individuals provide to the City, including allowing local community based organizations opportunities to collaborate on matters that are important to the local community (art, housing, transportation, environment, cultural holidays) • It is the Council's obligation to the local community to transparently discuss and decide if/how the City will continue to fund Stay Gallery and the arts
• The Gallery did not exist while I went to Lewis, South, or Downey High. It is hard to express how much of a difference it could have made for me and my classmates to have people like Gabe and Juliana, and a venue like Stay Gallery, to be exposed to the arts, current topics, civic engagement, and educational activities that would contribute to our growth and development. From the Council's actions to not discuss or decide on this topic, it leaves no choice but to interpret these actions as if the arts are not a priority and ask that you listen to the residents and stakeholders who are sharing the value of Stay Gallery with you.

Sincerely,
Miguel Nunez

November 13, 2023
City of Downey
Attention: Downey City Council
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
Re: Letter of Support for Stay Gallery's Continued Funding Dear Mayor Frometa and City Council Members,
My name is Ricky Abilez and I serve as the Director of Policy & Advocacy at Arts for LA, the region's only cross -sector arts advocacy organization. I would like to express my full support for the continued funding of Stay Gallery from the City of Downey's Art In Public Places fund.

Community spaces like Stay Gallery play a vital role in fostering a sense of cultural identity and creative expression within local neighborhoods. These spaces provide a platform for artists and young people in the community to showcase their work, connect with peers, and build shared narratives. Stay Gallery is no exception. They are strengthening the social fabric of Downey through the arts by providing free and affordable workshops and events for families. Stay Gallery is making it possible for creativity to thrive without the barrier of high registration and entry fees.

It is more important than ever to sustain funding for the arts so that critical programs and exhibitions remain available. Far too often, meaningful and impactful spaces like the Stay Gallery are stripped away from young people in communities that are historically underserved.

The transformative power of the arts enhances learning, stimulates creative problem solving, bridges divides, and inspires empathy. By investing in Stay Gallery, you are investing in the health and vibrancy of Downey residents as a whole.

I respectfully request that the Downey City Council include Stay Gallery's continued funding from the Art in Public Places fund on the agenda of a future city council meeting to be publicly voted on. Furthermore, I urge council members to support arts access for Downey artists, youth and families by voting in favor of Stay Gallery's continued funding. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Ricky Abilez
Director of Policy & Advocacy
Arts for LA

�tORN in JUNE

CREATIVE
Dear Mayor Frometa and City Council Members,
My name is Joshua Sandoval. I am a Published and Award Winning Illustrator & Artist who is Co -Owner of Award Winning Born In June Creative Studios LLC www.borninjunecreative.com out of Los Angeles, CA.

My work has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, I have collaborated with global brands like Walt Disney and Adidas.

None of this would have ever been possible if it were not for Stay Gallery.

In 2012, 1 was at the lowest point of my life. My License was suspended, I didn't have a job and I was living back at home with my Parents in North Downey. I was 29 years old. I was not or had never worked in the creative field to that point. Never had my work in any shows. I was not producing any work. Period A person that I cared about deeply and respected came back into my life. Almost immediately they saw that I had a passion for Art and that threw my illustrations/ doodles I had the talent to pursue the Arts.

It was the first piece of confidence I needed to get started. The Next integral piece was Stay Gallery. When I started producing work I approached Gabe Enemerado about the Gallery's Upcoming Dia De Los Muertos show in 2012.

I was ecstatic when Gabe said that I could be part of the show. I was even more ecstatic when the piece actually sold. I was a working artist!
That confidence gave me the gas to pursue my dreams of being a full time creative.

Today I am running Born In June Creative Full Time with My Wife and Business partner and have been for the last 6 years. We've collaborated with Emmy Award Winning Artist, & Global Brands, We are now working in the Non -Profit Sector on large projects with budgets to collaborate with top creatives from around Los Angeles and the world.

Stay Gallery was the beginning of this journey.

Stay Gallery has given countless artist the same opportunities who if not for their team they simply would have not had the chance to get started on their journeys.

I now have the opportunity to do that with my business and have paid it forward by giving upcoming creatives their first working credits.

The impact that Stay Gallery is going to be felt for decades to come, I implore you to support Stay Gallery indefinitely so that Impact can be generational.

Sincerely, Joshua Sandoval

November 13, 2023
City of Downey
Attention: Downey City Council
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
Re: Letter of Support for Stay Gallery's Continued Funding Dear Mayor Frometa and City Council Members,
My name is Kimberly Gutierrez, and I am a Latina- based artist from the City of South Gate. I would like to express my support for the continued funding of Stay Gallery from the City of Downey's Art In Public Places fund. The arts serve as a pivotal role in our community because they help cultivate a space for individuals to participate in art activities that may help with one's mental health. This past year, I attended a Zinc workshop hosted by Stay Gallery, and appreciated how welcoming the team were with us. The workshop provided a safe space for me to express myself creatively and authentically. I enjoyed learning about the history of zinc - making; it developed into a new founding interest where I self -published my first photography zinc and found community in joining a zinc club this year. Stay Gallery's Zinc Workshop will always have such a heartwarming place in my journey for zine-making as it expanded creative opportunities.

This past October, I was also fortunate and honored to be part of their recent exhibit, `The Local Group Show 5' alongside with other incredible artists. I am immensely grateful for the Stay Gallery team for giving me the opportunity to showcase my work. The night of the opening reception, I enjoyed how the space felt like a fiesta with everyone engaging with the artworks and having a lovely time with family and friends. It was refreshing to be in a space where the environment felt like a safe space, where I can peacefully look at the artworks and do not have to worry about being scrutinize or judged by the color of my skin. Art spaces like Stay Gallery are important because they are accessible, inclusive, and a great reminder that Latinos rightfully deserve to take up space in the art world. I appreciate how the Stay Gallery team provides many opportunities for creatives and the community to partake in events that engage within the arts.

I respectfully request the Downey City Council to include Stay Gallery's continued funding from the Art in Public Places fund on the agenda of a future city council meeting to be publicly voted on. Furthermore, I urge council members to support arts access for Downey artists, youth, and families by voting in favor of Stay Gallery's continued funding. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Kimberly Gutierrez

Linda Thai
From: Elmer Argueta
Sent: Monday, November 13, 2023 10:43 PM
To: Downey City Clerk - Public Comment
Cc: Stay Gallery; Claudia M. Frometa; Hector Sosa; Mario Trujillo; Timothy Horn Subject: Letter of Support for Stay Gallery's Continued Funding Dear Mayor Frometa and Downey City Council members,
My name is Elmer Argueta, in 1998 1 was born in the city of Downey at Downey Community Hospital because my parents, while not residents of Downey, felt as though that the facilities at the community hospital were the best in the southeast Los Angeles region. The idea that Downey is the 'best' city to live in is not uncommon, having lived adjacent to Downey in neighboring cities my entire life, it was always known as the place one would aspire to buy a home in, go out to shop, or to enjoy a nice meal.

Growing up in the southeast Los Angeles region, more specifically in Huntington Park and Southgate, the opportunities for artistic expression, let alone programming, are very scarce. The idea of pursuing an artistic endeavor is often discouraged by parents that are solely concerned with the survival of their first generation American -born children.

Stay Gallery for years has served as the single institution in southeast Los Angeles to offer a space and programming for multidisciplinary artists. Yet another reason why Downey is such a respectable and esteemed city. It would be to the severe detriment to not only the residents of Downey, but to the southeast region at large.

I encountered Stay Gallery very early in my artistic path. At the time, I was an aspiring photographer and video editor and Stay Gallery offered me a place for mentorship, community, and belonging. A place I could feel seen and heard. Had it not been for the open doors and arms that I was met with when I first stepped foot in the gallery I would have never dared to pursue a career in anything arts related. As a social media producer for the Los Angeles Galaxy, the skills in photography and filmmaking I was able to foster through my experience with Stay Gallery and it's staff, have not only helped carve a career path, but quite frankly have changed my life.

I beg for this council to consider funding Stay Gallery, so that it may continue to shape the lives of youth in Downey and beyond for many years to come.

Thank you.

Linda Thai
From: Gabriel Enamorado
Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2023 8:13 AM
To: Downey City Clerk - Public Comment
Cc: George Manzanilla; Claudia M. Frometa; Hector Sosa; Mario Trujillo; Timothy Horn Subject: Stay Gallery Letter for Continued Funding
Attachments: 2012.03.13 — Art in Public Places Amendment.pdf, 2023.11.14 — Stay Gallery Public Comment Letter.pdf
Dear Mayor Frometa and council members Sosa, Trujillo and Horn:

I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to inform you that Juliana and 1, along with our board of directors and members of our community, will be attending the city council meeting tonight to voice our support for Stay Gallery's continued funding from the Art in Public Places (AIPP) fund during public comment.

Because there are many community members who would like to share their story and experience with you, we respectfully request you to consider extending the total time for public comment to allow everyone in the audience an opportunity to speak. We also want to share that we received over 1,100 petition signatures from the community in favor of Stay Gallery's continued funding from the AIPP fund.

Attached is our organization's letter to be included for public comment outlining our requests and reasoning for Stay Gallery's continued funding from the AIPP fund. Attached is also a copy of the city's AIPP ordinance. The use of funds for public art venues is outlined on pages 13-14.

Best regards,
0 11-14-23
City of Downey
Attention: Downey City Council
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
Re: Letter of Support for Stay Gallery's Continued Funding Hello Mayor Frometa and City Council Members,
My name is Jonathan Perez. I am an artist and community organizer from the city of South Gate. I would like to express my support for the continued funding of Stay Gallery from the City of Downey's Art In Public Places fund.

Art has the power to change lives. A space dedicated to the arts has the ability to nurture it and plant its roots. In a time when we are quick to rebuttal one another and clash against our differences, places like Stay Gallery are important by allowing people to reflect, share their thoughts and stories (in an open and respectful way,) and encourage us to open our hearts and minds. Not only does Stay benefit Downey, but everyone who is connected to it including students, family, friends, & loved ones. It brings people to the city to connect and grow and spread those seeds of hope wherever they may go.

Without Stay, not only do you lose a group of people who bring value, business, and visibility to the city of Downey, you also lose the influence you leave on history and its people.

QsDYSSEY

STEM ACADEMY
November 14th, 2023
City of Downey
Attention: Downey City Council
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
Dear Mayor Frometa and Members of the Downey City Council, I am writing to express my wholehearted support for the allocation of funds to the STAYArt Gallery in Downey, California. I have witnessed firsthand the positive impact that STAYArt Gallery has had in the community, particularly in the realm of education and cultural enrichment.

One of the reasons I advocate for the funding of STAYArt Gallery is their unwavering support of our High School Internship Program at Odyssey STEM Academy. Since the inception of the program, the STAYArt Gallery has been an invaluable partner, providing our scholars with countless learning opportunities and experiences that have proven to he instrumental in their personal and artistic development.

The commitment of STAYArt Gallery to our community extends beyond the mere provision of space. Their dedication to fostering artistic talent, promoting creativity, and nurturing the next generation of artists is commendable. The gallery has become a hub for cultural exchange, encouraging dialogue and understanding among diversegroups within Downey.

Furthermore, the STAYArt Gallery has constantly demonstrated its commitment to education by hosting workshops, exhibitions, and events that engage and inspire not only our, students but the entire community. The initiatives contribute significantly to the cultural vibrancy of Downey, making it a more richer and dynamic place to live and learn.

In light of the STAYArt Gallery's substantial contributions to our community, I strongly urge the Downey City Council to allocate the necessary funds to ensure the continued success andgrowth of this vital cultural institution. By doing so, we not only invest in the future of our local artists but also reinforce Downey's position as a city that values and supports the arts.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this matter. I trust that your decision will reflect the best interest of the community and the enduring impact that the STAYArt Gallery has on the cultural and educational landscape of Downey.

Sincerely,
Julio Martinez
J'
Odyssey.pusdschools.net o T: 562.602.8032 * E: [email protected] 3701 Michelson Street, Lakewood, Ca 90712

11/14/2023
City of Downey
Attention: Downey City Council
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
Re: Letter of Support for Stay Gallery's Continued Funding Dear Mayor Frometa and City Council Members,
I am an artist, filmmaker and frequent collaborator with Stay Gallery. I would like to express my support for the continued funding of Stay Gallery from the City of Downey's Art In Public Places fund.

As an artist, I've had the honor of working with the gallery to showcase my work in various exhibitions, including the UNIDOS group show in 2021 as well as the LOCAL GROUP SHOW soon after. I've continued to partner with Stay to host a number of workshops at events such as Downey's annual Dfa de los Muertos, DFEO's Wellness Expo, Downey PRIDE, South Gate Art Walk, as well as curating an ongoing community art market utilizing the gallery space to bring Indigenous -centric artists and artisan goods from Mexico and Guatemala to the community that otherwise would not be present in the area.

The gallery has allowed my colleagues and I to foster new creative relationships, make space for new business opportunities and exciting new alliances that continue to shape and form me and my work as a creator. Professionally, I've had the chance to develop my skill as a guide and mentor when hosting our watercolor workshops, which often draw hundreds of crowds of all ages. During these events, I consistently hear people thanking us for putting together events that allow for a special connection with the arts, particularly with the youth. Personally, this experience has shown me that I had an untapped potential to engage large crowds I wasn't even aware of. I've since used these experiences to pursue similar work in other areas with other organizations and I cannot thank Stay gallery enough for not only inviting me to try it, but for seeing this in me. The constant feedback from the crowd is why the work that Stay does is significant and necessary for Downey's arts culture to thrive.

Ever since I attended Stay Gallery's debut show in 2012, I've seen them remain true to their goal of keeping the arts in Downey a special place. This shouldn't just be a gallery's vision, but the city's too.

I respectfully request the Downey City Council to include Stay Gallery's continued funding from I respectfully request the Downey City Council to include Stay Gallery's continued funding from the Art in Public Places fund on the agenda of a future city council meeting to be publicly voted on.

Furthermore, I urge council members to support arts access for Downey artists, youth and families by voting in favor of Stay Gallery's continued funding. Thank you.

Sincerel
Polaris Castillo

Los Angeles County One Gateway Plaza 213.922.2000 Tel
Metropolitan Transportation Authority Los Angeles, CA 90012-2952 metro.net November 13, 2023
City of Downey
Attention: Downey City Council
>>>>> Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
Re: Letter of Support for Stay Gallery's Continued Funding Dear Mayor Frometa and City Council Members,
My name is Holly Hampton, and I am a Senior Manager, with LA Metro and I am a member of the Metro Art + Community Enrichment program. I would like to express my support for the continued funding of Stay Gallery from the City of Downey's Art In Public Places fund.

I was introduced to Stay Gallery in 2021, when Metro Art received a grant opportunity provided by the California Endowment through Race Forward. LA Metro sought to "reduce the potential for gentrification and the resulting sense of disenfranchisement, dis-belonging and cultural displacement through arts -based strategies that lift up the voices and build civic engagement, ownership and cultural representation of the people who live in the Southeast LA today." This goal is grounded in a long-range agency vision and commitment to the Metro Board adopted Equity Framework that prioritizes listening to and learning from the communities we serve. Through this project and the community -driven and engaged process of cultural asset mapping, I met Gabriel Enamorado, Executive Director of Stay Gallery and became aware of the tremendous work that Stay Gallery does for the City of Downey and surrounding communities of Southeast LA.
• Stay Gallery is a vital member of the Southeast LA Art Community for emerging and established artists
SoutheastStay Gallery is dedicated to engaging, connecting, and empowering communities of col in the ! and the Gateway Cities regionthrough
exploration, and cultural expression I
The Arts are vital to humanity and Stay Gallery brings this to the Southeast LA community, bringing life, light, joy and creativity to all who encounter their programs and activities

Los Angeles County One Gateway Plaza 213.922.2000 Tel
Metropolitan Transportation Authority Los Angeles, CA 90012-2952 metro.net I respectfully request the Downey City Council to include Stay Gallery's continued funding from the Art in Public Places fund on the agenda of a future city council meeting to be publicly voted on.

Furthermore, I urge council members to support arts access for Downey artists, youth and families by voting in favor of Stay Gallery's continued funding. Thank you.

Sincerely,
ld&10-)
Holly Hampton
Senior Manager, Transportation Planning
Metro Art + Community Enrichment

Tuesday, November 14, 2023
City of Downey
Attention: Downey City Council 11111 Brookshire Avenue Downey, CA 90241 Re: Letter of Support for Stay Gallery's Continued Funding Dear Mayor Frometa and City Council Members,
My name is Lauren Temple and 1 am a part time CSU lecturer, full time experiential programmer and creative. I would like to express my support for the continued funding of Stay Gallery from the City of Downey's Art In Public Places fund.

Stay's dedication to the education of the arts is vital to the success of the community of surrounding areas, and most importantly Downey. Their exhibits and programs provide an opportunity for community members and visitors to learn about different cultures, eras, and arts forms.

Given that Downey no longer has its own museum. Stay not only provides a sense of place and identity for residents, but it also serves as a learning hub for visitors to understand the history and current trends of Downey. What one can gain from Stay, cannot be found anywhere else.

My personal experience with Stay has been exceptional. During my curation experience for MotherHOOD, I had the opportunity to work with Stay Gallery firsthand. Within this time, I had the opportunity to witness how they interact with the community. While Stay is a gallery, its influence extends beyond art. Many members of the community come in during the day to chat about community events, ways to increase the growth of Downey, etc. It's a safe haven for community members.

MotherHOOD also brought in families and viewers from surrounding areas that now participate in other events that Stay has (like their paint nights!). The inclusion of people from other cities has generated money for nearby businesses and has also shifted the paradigm of what Downey is. It's not just the home of the oldest McDonald's or other things that happened in the past. Downey is and can continue to be the home of future historical events and culture bearers.

This is evident in the way that the Stay Gallery has impacted surrounding schools. Field trips from high schools (Warren and Downey) have encouraged our youth to be creative in the way that they think and how they view the world-- and therefore, themselves. Stay

Gallery is the channel where these students can see themselves on the walls and hear about themselves in the conversation and strive for better. I've seen the impact in real time as a guest speaker for one of the field trips. I've also seen the overall effect via a colleague that I met at Color Compton, cindy macias. At one point she was one of those students. Now as an adult, she has taken what she learned and continuously pours back into her community.

This is what happens when you invest in the arts. Therefore,I respectfully request the Downey City Council to include Stay Gallery's continued funding from the Art in Public Places fund on the agenda of a future city council meeting to be publicly voted on.

Furthermore, I urge council members to support arts access for Downey artists, youth and families by voting in favor of Stay Gallery's continued funding. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Lauren Temple

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City ofDowney
Attention: Downey City Council
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA9O241
Re: Letter of Support for Stay Gallery's Continued Funding Dear Mayor Frometa and City Council Members,
I am Tracy Hudak, Director of Field Engagement for Californians for the Arts (CFTA), the statewide arts advocacy network. On behalf of the board and staff of CFTA as well as our constituents across the state and in the community of Downey, I would like to express our support for the continued funding of Stay Gallery from the City of [}owney'sArt |nPublic Places fund.

As a statewide organization, we recognize that enterprises like Stay Gallery provide essential opportunity infrastructure to the creative economy and valuable social infrastructure to local communities. Stay Gallery is one of these exemplary models, committed to its community, flexibly serving different artists and creativeuvvhi|e adapting tothe changing needs and priorities nfDowney.
|nCalifornia, the creative economy accounts for 7.25% of the state's economy almost double the national impact and yet we are 32nd in the nation in state spending for the arts. And we know that, with what little public investments they get, community spaces like Stay Gallery deliver significant public value. Stay Gallery provides much needed space for artists to develop their careers and practices through producing and presenting art, through technical support programs as well as through networking and building relationships. Stay Gallery also provides programs that promote creativity and connectivity in residents and visitors and they produce events that stimulate commerce in the area and enliven the neighborhood. And historically, their vision and activities draw in additional private and public investment to the betterment of Downey.

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11 /14/2023
City of Downey
Attention: Downey City Council
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
Re: Letter of Support for Stay Gallery's Continued Funding Dear Mayor Frometa and City Council Members,
My name is Jazzmine Caron and I have been a Downey resident for about 25 years, graduating from Warren High in 2017. 1 have been an active member of this community by being involved in extracurriculars at school such as link crew and all of the theater productions, volunteering for numerous city events, participating in the pride marches, and of course being a part of Stay Gallery's legacy. I would like to express my support for the continued funding of Stay Gallery from the City of Downey's Art In Public Places fund.

Let me begin by saying that Stay Gallery has made one of the biggest, most important impacts on my life. I remember when Stay first opened, I was in middle school and the idea of having an art gallery so close to me was almost a dream come true because at that time I was starting to really get into the art scene. Stay's Local Group Show III was the first time I ever had one of my artworks in an actual gallery and ever since then, my relationship with Stay grew immensely. In 2020, because of the pandemic and all the free time I had, I had painted dozens of canvases, so fast forward to June 2022, 1 reached out to Juliana and Gabe and they were more than happy to host my first ever solo art exhibition, "The Experimental Phase".

In addition, I have helped Juliana and Gabe work some of their amazing events where I was able to network and connect with other outstanding artists. I also have to mention that for a few months this past year, Stay was home to my brother's incredible and hilarious stand up comedy show "Cheaper Than Therapy" (the name has now been changed to "Creatures of Habit") which brought out a ton of people! So many memories have been made at Stay Gallery and I believe wholeheartedly that Stay will continue to have a huge impact on people like me:
emerging, self-taught local artists looking for a place to showcase their work! Stay also partners with local schools to bring art education to young children which is such an amazing privilege, not many schools offer this kind of service. If you take away Stay's funding, you are taking away the opportunity for these children to learn all about the great aspects of art from its history to creation to putting their work on gallery walls; this is their way of discovering and unleashing this artistic side of them they probably did not know was there.

Sincerely, c ��,,��e Cam,'.

November 13, 2023
City of Downey
Attention: Downey City Council
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
Re: Letter of Support for Stay Gallery's Continued Funding Dear Mayor Frometa and City Council Members,
I, Yaileen Zamora, am an after school art teacher for the elementary schools in Downey hired by Stay Gallery. I would like to express my support for the continued funding of Stay Gallery from the City of Downey's Art In Public Places fund.

It has been a pleasure working with Stay Gallery, they have given me the opportunity to follow my passion for the arts and be able to spread that passion with the youth. I have seen how much of an impact art has made on these kids and how important it is to continue providing spaces and programs that Stay Gallery provides.

As an after school art teacher, it's so heartwarming seeing students excited when they finally get to do art, even when it's after school and they almost get to go home. Students have asked me if I can give them more time to finish their art piece or they'll get sad or even cry if they're parents pick them up early before they even get to do art. I've had students come to my class and tell me that they purposely told they're parents to pick them up later so that they can have time to do art.

Last year the students in the after school program got to showcase and sell their art piece at Stay Gallery! When I told my students their art was going to be showcased in a gallery they didn't believe me at all. Stay Gallery gave all those students an opportunity that they will remember for a lifetime and the confidence that their art deserves to be in a gallery and was right in their own city. Spaces like Stay Gallery are so important for bringing communities, schools, and families together! This is only scratching the surface of how big of an impact Stay Gallery has made in my life, these students' lives, and the community. With each and every gallery they showcase, with every event they hold, they hold space for something much bigger than what we can see.

Sincerely,
Yaileen Zamora

11 /14/2023
City of Downey
Attention: Downey City Council
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
Re: Letter of Support for Stay Gallery's Continued Funding Dear Mayor Frometa and City Council Members,
as a small
business owner/vendor and I would like to express my support for the continued funding of Stay Gallery from the City of Downey's Art In Public Places fund.

As an Arts Enrichment Teacher working in Downey Public Schools I have seen firsthand how important Stay Gallery is to the students of Downey. As a small business owner and vendor I have been directly impacted by the market put on by Stay Gallery.
• Each time I enter the classroom my students are ecstatic to learn what they will be creating that day. Without Stay Gallery the schools I work at, Carpenter Elementary and Lewis Elementary, would have no art classes and the students would have no outlet to express their creativity. Some of my students are dropped off at 6:30am for the morning program and stay at school until 6pm. 12 hour days would be long for any of us but they become harder when there is no space for creativity, play, or fun. • At the end of the last school year Stay Gallery put together a Student Exhibition, it was the first time many of my students got to see their work celebrated. It was heartwarming to see their families support them and how excited they all were. In every class I have taught this school year I have been asked if we will be having a Gallery Show again, some of my students have even started preparing artwork that they want to exhibit this year. • Stay Gallery has helped me grow immensely as an educator and I have learned how to best support my students through whatever challenges they may face. • As a recent LA transplant I would not be a part of the Downey Community if it had not been for Stay Gallery. Now I spend the majority of my week in the city of Downey and have grown to love the city, its communities, and businesses. I am even considering moving to Downey this spring if the Gallery continues to be funded by the city. • Along with being an Arts Enrichment Teacher I am also a small business owner and a vendor at markets throughout Los Angeles. I recently vended at Downey Pride and at Stay Gallery's opening reception for their current exhibition Group Show 5. Comparing my experience vending at Downey Pride and at Stay Gallery I had much more foot traffic and made more sales in the 3 hours of the Stay Gallery Reception than I did during the 8 hours of Downey Pride.
• As the only free Art space in Downey, the Stay Gallery provides an incredibly important community space where people can gather and learn about the City of Downey.

Sincerely,
Julia t3&kOerg

11 /14/2023
City of Downey
Attention: Downey City Council
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
Re: Letter of Support for Stay Gallery's Continued Funding Dear Mayor Frometa and City Council Members,
My name is Markos Felix Martinez, I am an Interior Designer, and was born and raised in Downey. I am currently on the board for the Downey Conservancy and a big patron of the local arts and any public program that helps advance that in the community. I would like to express my support for the continued funding of Stay Gallery from the City of Downey's Art In Public Places fund.

When I moved back to Downey in 2019 after having not lived here since almost high school, I was thrilled to see a non-profit like Stay Gallery advocating for art in public places on a local level. They are incredibly crucial to the youth in the community for providing access and education to arts and culture programs. It is essential for the greater good of the advancement of the city's arts and culture for Stay Gallery to continue operating.

I respectfully request the Downey City Council to include Stay Gallery's continued funding from
the Art in Public Places fund on the agenda of a future city council meeting to be publicly voted on. Furthermore, I urge council members to support arts access for Downey artists, youth and families by voting in favor of Stay Gallery's continued funding.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Markos Felix Martinez

14 November 2023
City of Downey
Attention: Downey City Council
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
Re: Letter of Support for Stay Gallery's Continued Funding Dear Mayor Frometa and City Council Members,
My name is Sofia Carrillo. I am an artist, and I am one of Stay Gallery's art teachers working in partnership with DFEO. I would like to express my support for the continued funding of Stay Gallery from the City of Downey's Art In Public Places fund.

I believe that Stay Gallery is a cornerstone of our community, as one of the few local organizations doing good work to foster the arts, especially among our youth. I can speak to this through my work as an art teacher in the after school program at both Maude Price and Gallatin Elementary School; my students love participating in art, and I love being able to provide a space for students to explore and express themselves artistically. Every week I look forward to coming to school and trying new projects with my students, and I believe the opportunity to work with the arts in an educational environment has not only been good for them, but helped me grow as a person and as a member of my own community. This position was only made possible through Stay Gallery's continued youth outreach programs and work making the arts accessible in our city.

My history with Stay Gallery goes even further than my current employment with them. When I was a student, I knew I always wanted to pursue the arts as a professional career in some capacity; however, when I took this to my counselor at Downey High School, she couldn't give me any further information on opportunities and paths to pursue. Art was not treated as a viable career path, despite our proximity to massive cultural hubs. Where our local institutions failed me, Stay Gallery remained an open space to foster creativity and inspire the artist in me. I started coming in on nights where they would open the gallery for mural painting, and I got the opportunity to meet other artists and learn about their experiences and paths in life pursuing the arts. By simply opening its doors, Stay Gallery helped keep me on my path of wanting to pursue my dreams of becoming a professional artist.

Stay Gallery is essential to the wellbeing of our city. As a nonprofit, it provides low cost arts programs that keep it accessible for everyone locally, a critical point for providing arts to marginalized communities that are oftentimes neglected and ostracized from the arts as a whole, worth noting for our community that is 74.2% Latino. But if this is not enough, I think it is worth considering that many of our wealthiest and culturally rich cities around us are investing in their local art communities. If you want to bring that same economic flow and vibrancy to

Downey, you first have to be willing to invest in our community, and the arts is a fundamental building block of that recipe.

Sincerely,

November 14, 2023
City of Downey
Attention: Downey City Council
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
Re: Letter of Support for Stay Gallery's Continued Funding Dear Mayor Frometa and City Council Members,
My name is Marcus Bahuelos, I am an artist and educator. I would like to express my support for the continued funding of Stay Gallery from the City of Downey's Art In Public Places fund.

Growing up in the neighboring city of Norwalk, I found it was always hard to find an art hub for the community outside of central Los Angeles. It had always been an unattainable dream as a young aspiring artist to have a safe space for creative minds in the suburbs for those unlucky to constant travel into the city. Returning back Southern California after continuing my higher education, I came across Stay Gallery. They have always been so welcoming and full of positivity. Since relocating back home, I have been blessed to participate in multiple group shows at Stay Gallery with talented artist. Without opportunities as such, I would have never been able to connect with other local artist so close to home.

Gabriel and Juliana have been working vigorously with not only local artist, but with their beloved community. Stay Gallery has concrete core values that support the youth and their families with programs that benefit their neighboring schools. By having the gallery, it gives these young minds a place to gather and showcase their very own work and celebrating with their loved ones. I strongly believe Stay Gallery flourishes the community with positivity, fuels opportunities for artist, collaborates and creates productive events for the city of Downey. It is a home that I wish I had growing up as a youth.

Sincerely,
Marcus Gonzalo Banuelos

November 14, 2023
City of Downey
Attention: Downey City Council
l I I l l Brookshire Avenue Downey, CA 90241
Re: Letter of Support for Stay Gallery's Continued Funding Dear Mayor Frometa and City Council Members,
Good Afternoon, my name is Mike Alcala and I am an artist educator hired by Stay Gallery to provide after school art classes for Elementary and Middle School students in the Downey Unified School District. I would like to express my support for the continued funding of Stay Gallery from the City of Downey's Art In Public Places fund.

By working with Stay Gallery I have seen first hand the impact art has in building confidence, creativity, and critical thinking skills amongst the children I teach. I currently educate 110 students divided between 4 different schools and I am committed to providing these kids with classes, projects, and a gallery that builds a sense of community and instills positive values that will help them develop into exemplary Downey graduates and citizens. Stay Gallery is an important part of Downey, and the value it holds within the community is more than monetary, many lives have been improved by this non-profit, as well as the many artists who have flourished because of Stay Gallery in their artistic careers or in their pursuits to become educators. Moreover, the children and their families who attend the painting workshops held by the gallery help to bolster the connections between the community and the city. For example the programs, workshops, and gallery shows that are supported by the funding create lasting effects for the citizens of Downey by giving the younger generations an outlet for their creativity that can ultimately lead to an inspirational career. As well as, building a supportive channel in which families in the community can come together and strengthen their bonds within the city they choose to live and raise their families in. I can personally vouch that as long as the doors to the gallery stay open we will continue our work to

provide art programs for the children in an effort to guide them by providing opportunities for mentorships that helps them find their voices as young adults and artist.

Sincerely,
Mike A. Alcala

November 14, 2023
City of Downey
Attention: Downey City Council
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
Re: Letter of Support for Stay Gallery's Continued
Funding
Dear Mayor Frometa and City Council Members,
My name is Yoli van der Most, I am a Downey citizen, architecture student at USC, and Creative Director at Home Field Advantage, a Downey -based sports nonprofit. I would like to express my support for the continued funding of Stay Gallery from the City of Downey's Art In Public Places fund.

Stay Gallery has greatly impacted the person I have become, and here's why:

Since they opened their doors when I was in middle school in 2012, my family and I have visited almost every public exhibition hosted at the Gallery. Here, I became exposed to local artists whose work resonated with my upbringing and culture.

In high school, I watched friends present their music and art for the first time at Stay Gallery. met fellow teens from Stay Connected who cared about our community and its improvement.

Stay Gallery activated a movement of local artists and changemakers who felt their work mattered.

Now, as an adult, this movement I experienced at Stay Galley has contributed to my work with Home Field Advantage. Stay Gallery makes art accessible for our community, and with Home Field Advantage, we want to do the same through sport.

Stay Gallery contributed to my decision to become an architect because here, 1 truly experienced the impact that space has on a community and its people.

Sincerely,
[Yoli van der Most

November 14, 2023
City of Downey Attention: Downey City Council
11111 Brookshire Avenue Downey, CA 90241
Dear Mayor Frometa and City Council Members,
My name is Jesica Carrillo. I am an elementary school teacher who has resided in Downey for nearly 30 years. I own a home here and I'm very invested in what is best for our community, schools, and children. My kids, in their late teens and twenties now, have attended Downey schools since kindergarten. My kids and I love our community and support it through volunteer work in the library, clean ups, supporting our small businesses, theaters, being respectful of others, and of course supporting our wonderful Stay Gallery. I'm a big proponent of the arts and the importance it has in the development of a child's mental well-being, as well as the positive effects it has in a community that is invested in supporting the arts.

I would like to express my support for the continued funding of Stay Gallery from the City of Downey's Art In Public Places fund. The arts seem to be underappreciated and always on the chopping block by individuals who don't understand its value and sadly, this is what is happening with the Stay Gallery now. This gallery has been a great influence to my children. They were welcomed as children and inspired by the leadership and by the many artists that have shared their talents and love for the arts.

My children had the fortune and opportunity to draw on the walls of Stay Gallery and participated in many events through school or those being offered through the gallery.

We attended events that delighted us with creativity, passion, and talent! My oldest daughter has always loved art and Stay motivated her to follow her dreams of becoming an artist. She graduated last year with a degree from CSLBU in Pre -Production of animation. She is currently working as an art teacher and looking forward to her future in creating animation. Stay Gallery helped her see that a career in the arts is possible.

I respectfully request the Downey City Council to show that they care about our city and the arts in our community by including Stay Gallery's continued funding from the Art in Public Places fund on the agenda of a future city council meeting to be publicly voted on. Furthermore, I urge council members to support arts access for Downey artists, youth and families by voting in favor of Stay Gallery's continued funding. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Jesica Carrillo

EASTSIDE
ARTS

INITIATIVE
November 14, 2023
The Honorable Claudia Frometa and City Council
City of Downey
11111 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
Re: Letter of Support for Stay Gallery's Continued Funding Dear Mayor Frometa, Vice Mayor Mario Trujillo, City Council Member Timothy Horn and City Council Member Hector Sosa:

We are writing on behalf of the Eastside Arts Initiative, a grantmaking program serving the Eastern County region. As one of a few community gallery and arts spaces in Southeast Los Angeles, we want to express our strong support for Stay Gallery and encourage your consideration for maintaining this space available to the community under the current funding agreement.

Stay Gallery's work has made a positive impact in the community throughout the years and can always be counted on to make quality arts programming accessible to residents of all ages — children, families, and seniors alike.

As a grantmaking program committed to service in the Eastern part of the County, we are proud to count Stay Gallery as part of our grant recipients alumni. We are also grateful for all the work they do in collaborating with other arts, services groups, and businesses to create opportunities in the arts for artists and residents in the area while creating a landmark that brings positive attention to the city.

Lupe Arriola, Chair
Eastside Arts Initiative
arts@eastsidea rtsinitiative.or
www.eastsideartsinitiative.ora

Downey City CouncilNovember 14, 2023

Downey City Council
November 14, 2023