Arts and Culture Commission 4 4/17/2025
Arts and Culture Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
April 17, 2025
CA
LL TO ORDER Chair person
Com mission members present:
Joese Hernandez
Susie Lopez-Guerra
Miguel Ochoa
Debra Russell
Indigo Vu
Sta
ff members present:
Michael Garcia, Executive Director
Marc Morley, Economic Development Manager
Tram Le, Arts and Culture Specialist
Bianca Zurita, Recording Secretary
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Minutes:
• Gay Olivo (Zoom) – Talked regarding the Sahuayo mural project. • Barbara Apostol, Art Teacher at Godinez School – Talked in support of the Graffiti Arts Program
• Shaila O. – Talked about the arts
• John O. – Talked about the arts
• Alondra Jacobo, Art Teacher at Godinez School – Talked about the arts
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
1. Excuse absences
Re
commended Action: Excuse absent commission member(s).
2. Regular meeting minutes of February 20, 2025
Re
commended Action: Approve minutes.
Arts and Culture Commission 4 4/17/2025
Moved by Commissioner Hernandez, seconded by Commissioner Lopez-Guerra to Approve Consent Calendar items.
YES: 5 – Debra Russell, Indigo Vu, Susie Lopez-Guerra, Joese Hernandez, Miguel Ochoa NO: 0 – ABSTAIN: 0 – ABSENT: 0 – Status: 5 – 0 – 0 – 0 – Pass ***END OF CONSENT CALENDAR***
WORK STUDY SESSION
3. Investing in the Artist Grant 2024-2025 – Grantee Presentations Minutes:
• OC Crazies presented by Cherie Kerr
• Delhi Center presented by Gaby Muniz
• GREEN-MPNA presented by Leonel Flores
• Stanford Sound & Stage presented by Modesto Briseno
• Breathe of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble presented by Sara Guerrero • The Cambodian Family presented by Amina Sen
• The Frida Cinema presented by Logan Crow
4. Bridging the G.A.P.: Graffiti Arts Program – Update Presentation Minutes: The presentation was given by Robyn MacNair, Sofia Cuevas, Alex Sanchez, and Maricela Pena.
Commission members engaged in a discussion session, expressing support for the Artist and participating students.
***END OF WORK STUDY SESSION***
COMMENTS
5. Staff member comments - None
6. Commission member comments
Minutes:
• Hernandez – Discussed the importance of the arts in transforming lives and indicated a desire to revisit the Commission’s funding in an upcoming meeting. • Russell – Asked for a progress update on the Sahuayo mural project, and noted two upcoming events: The Art Walk on May 3 and DJ classes at The Pizza Press. • Ochoa – Thanked all participants for their informative presentations. • Vu
– The next meeting will focus on discussing budget priorities. There was appreciation for the meaningful connection with the public—highlighting how art brings people together, and how doing good fosters unity. Stronger community
Arts and Culture Commission 4 4/17/2025
bonds are forming, and there’s a deep appreciation for the new legacies being created and left behind.
ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting of the Arts and Culture Commission is scheduled for May 15, 2025 at 5:30 PM in the Council Chamber.