Name:
Julia Darden-Lentz
How long have you lived in San Clemente:
51 Years
What is your occupation:
While I’m now mostly retired, I still lead DardenLentz, a boutique marketing and branding agency specializing in creative and strategic projects that help bring innovative healthcare products to market.
Please explain why you would like to serve on the Arts and Cultural Committee:
I’m passionate about art—both the performing arts and visual arts. I have worked to support the arts through pro bono marketing of the Casa Romantica, and have contributed to the quality of the art and architecture in our community through my work on the Planning Commission and DRSC.
I would like to continue contributing to our art community in any way possible and would be honored to be part of a team working to support and stimulate art in our community through the Arts and Cultural Committee.
Please explain how your background and experience would contribute to the Arts and Culture Committee.
Strong and effective team player and team leader
Experience with promoting the arts in San Clemente through Casa Romantica Experience reviewing art and architecture projects and programs through Planning Commission and Design Review Subcommittee Strong Team Player: I have spent my life, both in my professional and my community work, serving on strategic and creative teams. Whether I’ve led the team or had the most junior role, I’ve always found joy and fulfillment in working as part of a group to solve a challenge or create a new program or project. I thrive in a collegial atmosphere that combines the best of disparate members to net a result that is better than the contribution of any one member. I’ve been fortunate in working on teams that made a difference—whether it’s in the world of healthcare or in my community. I believe that the Arts and Cultural Committee will make a difference in San Clemente, and I believe that my experience on effective teams—from global marketing teams to the San Clemente Planning Commission—can contribute to the committee’s success.
Casa Romantica: Beginning in the early years of the Casa Romantica, I worked for the better part of a decade to help strengthen the brand of the Casa and promote events to help gain community support and participation in programming. My firm provided pro bono marketing support in the early years, working with current Arts and Cultural Committee Chair Amanda Greco, who was then the marketing director, and then continuing as the Casa’s agency of record for many years. This work helped form my understanding of how critical art and arts programs are to the soul of our community.
Planning Commission and Design Review Sub-Committee: My service on the Planning Commission, and DRSC in particular, gave me eight years of experience reviewing the design of projects that would reside in and contribute to the architectural fabric of our community. It also taught me a great deal about the importance of soliciting and respecting public input to contribute to fair and well-reasoned decisions and advice to City Council.
My service on DRSC pre-dated the Arts and Cultural Commission. At that time, DRSC provided recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council on public art installations. We reviewed many such projects during my tenure, but those that stick in my mind are: the iconic Katherine Stovall-Dennis tile mural installations at the Sports Park and Farmers and Merchant Bank, the painted Paul Gavin murals at the Pier entrance, the Drew Brophy murals in Los Molinos, and the Utility Box Art Program.
As part of DRSC, I also participated in reviews of public art policies of other coastal communities as we initiated the early process of determining policies for public art.
While the Arts and Culture Committee is a different entity, and policies and procedures have evolved, I believe my DRSC experience dealing with arts-related programs gives me a good foundation for the work of the Arts and Culture Committee. My overall service on the Planning Commission, including my two years as Chair, also gives me an understanding of how to work effectively with staff and my fellow members to provide guidance and input that is useful to the City Council.
What is your educational background?
San Clemente High School, Graduate
UCLA, BS English Literature
Please explain any experience you have in community, governmental, charitable or educational affairs.
Government
San Clemente Leadership Program Graduate
Landmark Preservation Task Force Member
San Clemente Planning Commission 2007-2015
2 years as Chair, leading the commission during the completion of the Centennial General Plan.
Design Review Sub-committee
Full-time member of the DRSC for all eight years on the PC Community/Charitable
Casa Romantica Marketing Support
Helped build the brand, promote the Casa, and gain support and participation in programs over approximately 10 years Saddleback Memorial Hospital Foundation Board
Created and co-chaired “Dancing to a New Beat” fundraiser, designed to involve the community and garner support for the hospital; raised approximately 1 million dollars in three years Pier Pride Inaugural President—2 years, 2015-2017
Worked with founders and led the board in determining the mission, strategy, and initial projects for Pier Pride. Provided marketing services to launch the organization.
Business Marketing Association Board Member—1996-1998
Availability for Meetings
While I still operate my business part-time, at this point my time is my own and I am able to make preparing for and attending the meetings a top priority. While on the Planning Commission and DRSC I had four meetings a month and worked full time, yet I rarely missed a meeting. I take my commitments seriously.
Please describe your understanding of the principal roles and responsibility of the Arts and Culture Committee The Committee is primarily an advisory body, assisting the City Council in supporting and developing the arts in San Clemente. The Committee is currently engaged in 1) Implementing specific Council-approved programs, such as the Utility Box Art Program, 2) Exploring new opportunities for arts programs and activities, such as the art in public places and a possible amphitheater, and 3) Working with staff to develop policies for consideration by Council. 4 Arts and Cultural Committee Application--Julia Darden-Lentz