Arts and Culture Commission 1 2/19/2026
Arts and Culture Commission
Regular Meeting Minutes
February 19, 2026
CALL TO ORDER Chairperson
Commission Members:
Victorino Bermejo
Joese Hernandez
Susie Lopez-Guerra
Marlene Peña-Marin
Debra Russell
Indigo Vu
Staff Members:
Executive Director
Economic Development Manager
Arts and Culture Specialist
Recording Secretary
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Minutes:
• Lupe Lopez – Voiced support for sponsoring an authentic Native American community event and requested to be informed when proposal submissions open. • Veronica Gomez (via Zoom) - Noted her participation in the meetings for the past three years, and shared that she is working on a new project to create support groups in Orange County for individuals impacted by homicide.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Excused absences
Recommended Action: Excuse the absent members.
2. Regular meeting minutes of January 15, 2026
Recommended Action: Approve minutes.
Moved by Commissioner Hernandez, seconded by Commissioner Peña-Marin to Approve Consent Calendar items.
YES: 6 – Debra Russell, Indigo Vu, Susie A. Lopez-Guerra, Joese Hernandez, Marlene Peña- Marin, Victorino Bermejo
NO: 0 – ABSTAIN: 0 – ABSENT: 0 – Status: 6 – 0 – 0 – 0 – Pass
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***END OF CONSENT CALENDAR***
WORK STUDY SESSION
3. Update from the Ad Hoc Subcommittee for the Arts and Culture Master Plan
Minutes:
• Commissioner Russell – provided an update on the Arts Master Plan, highlighting key themes including equity and accessibility, capacity building and infrastructure, and strong community involvement. The C ommissioner noted that barriers such as awareness, transportation, and cost may limit community participation in arts events and suggested the Commission could help identify and address these barriers. Upcoming professional development workshops and the development of a public art policy were cited as opportunities to strengthen arts infrastructure and support artists in the city. Examples of measuring progress included participation in economic impact studies and the development of mentorship and capacity -building programs. The C ommissioner also noted opportunities for the C ommission to convene discussions with local artists, educators, and organizations to better understand community needs and strengthen connections with youth programs in local schools.
• Commissioner Bermejo – noted that the Arts Master Plan is a lengthy document that requires time to review and study. The C ommissioner shared that they met with Victor Payan and Sandra Pocha, who were involved in the development of the original master plan 10 years ago, to gain perspective on past goals, accomplishments, and areas that may need updating. The discussion also highlighted the need for additional departmental staffing and potential use of consultants to assist with the master plan process. A recently shared master plan from another city was mentioned as a potential reference resource. • Commissioner Russell – shared two examples of ways to evaluate progress toward the Arts Master Plan goals. First, participation in an economic impact study such as the 2023 AFTA study, was cited as a measure of progress and as a tool to leverage data for advocacy and funding. Second, the development of mentorship programs was noted as another indicator of progress under Goal 3. The Commissioner also highlighted Goal 1, which encourages convening arts and cultural institutions and residents to discuss equity and accessibility, noting that Commissioners could feasibly lead such efforts by engaging with seniors, students, and community members to understand barriers to participation and explore ways the city can help.
• Commissioner Lopez -Guerra – inquired about the existence of a database of local artists, noting that creating such a list could support analysis of the types of art, leadership, and activity locations in the community. They suggested a simple sign- up process for artists to provide basic information, which could help identify gaps, support equity, and create a collective baseline of voices. The Commissioner emphasized that this information would not only inform the refinement of the Arts Master Plan but also guide future planning and engagement efforts.
• Chair Vu – discussed the importance of using an inclusive definition of arts and culture for the city, noting that some practices, such as culinary arts, may not traditionally be recognized as “art” but involve mastery and creativity comparable to other art forms. They encouraged consideration of a broad range of artistic disciplines and cultural institutions, emphasizing that this approach could honor diverse forms of artistic practice and engage leaders who may not currently identify their work as art.
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• Vice-Chair Hernandez – asked about public access to the Arts Master Plan and suggested making it easily available online. They noted that many residents are unaware of the C ommission’s work and emphasized the importance of developing a database or contact list to connect with local artists. Suggestions included using email subscriptions, QR codes, social media links, and the city website to share information about grants, sponsorships, and opportunities, as well as to gather community input for future updates to the master plan.
• Commissioner Pena- Marin – inquired about the possibility of sending messages or announcements to local artists to help gather information and increase awareness of arts opportunities. They noted that receiving regular updates keeps them informed and suggested a similar approach could be used to reach artists who may not yet know about the Commission or available resources.
• Chair Vu – noted that there are now more tools and channels available to engage the community and gather information compared with several years ago. They emphas ized the need to use creative approaches when revising the Arts Master Plan to ensure broad outreach and input from residents and artists. The Commissioner also acknowledged past challenges with artist registries and highlighted improvements that make it easier for artists to be recognized and connected within the community.
• Commissioner Bermejo – proposed creating a new database specifically for local artists to gather more targeted information. They suggested conducting surveys at events like Art Walk to collect data directly from artists, noting that existing city data primarily focuses on funding allocation rather than artist needs. The C ommissioner recommended using this new database to better connect with artists and refine the Commission’s understanding of the local arts community over time.
***END OF WORK STUDY SESSION***
COMMENTS
4. Staff member comments
Minutes:
• Michael Garcia– thanked the Chair and Commissioners for their comments. He noted that the Santa Ana Art Walk and other local art events are not currently listed on the city’s events calendar and suggested adding them to better utilize the Santa Ana app as a resource for the community. However, he added that the events listed on the city calendar need to be sponsored by the City. He also highlighted the recognition of Fat of the Land restaurant, which was ranked No. 19 on Yelp’s Top 100 Restaurants for 2026, and mentioned potential opportunities to connect culinary arts with arts programming. Also discussed past interest in establishing a culinary arts program in Santa Ana and suggested exploring similar opportunities again, particularly in collaboration with local schools. Concluded by expressing appreciation for the continued growth of arts programs in the city and turned the discussion over to the Arts and Culture Specialist. • Tram Le– announced that the Artist Grant and Sponsorship Program applications will open simultaneously next week. Mandatory information sessions will be held for applicants interested in the Artist Grant to explain the application process and requirements. No information session will be required for the Sponsorship Program, as the application process is more straightforward. The theme for the Artist Grant program will be “Stories That Unite US”.
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5. Commission member comments
Minutes:
• Commissioner Bermejo – extended New Year greetings for both Lunar New Year and Chinese New Year. They recognized a local artist who recently registered his DJ business as an LLC and has been successfully operating for the past year, highlighting it as an example that artists can build sustainable businesses with the right steps and information. The speaker also announced an upcoming event, Coffee & Cars, taking place that Saturday in collaboration with Victor Rivers from Classic Film Blooded Lab.
Additionally, they shared that they attended an event at the Historic Courthouse Museum and noted it as an engaging experience. The speaker concluded by thanking everyone for their time and participation.
• Chair Vu – extended New Year wishes to those celebrating and expressed hope for a positive and energetic year ahead. They highlighted opportunities for community members to participate in culinary arts without needing a formal culinary background or storefront. Specifically, they discussed cottage food operations, which allow individuals to prepare shelf-stable foods at home for sale at pop-ups or farmers markets with proper county health approval. They also mentioned the emerging microenterprise home kitchen operation program, which would allow individuals to operate small restaurant- style food businesses from their homes. The speaker encouraged community members with family recipes and culinary traditions to explore these opportunities as potential ways to engage with and expand culinary arts locally.
• Commissioner Russell – emphasized the importance of increasing awareness and promotion of arts and cultural events, as identified in the Arts Master Plan. They highlighted a large, informal lowrider gathering in downtown on Valentine’s Day, noting the strong community participation, music, and craftsmanship involved in lowrider culture, and suggested it could be recognized and celebrated as an art form in Santa Ana. They also shared information about several upcoming community events, including DJ nights and karaoke at The Pizza Press, the Santa Ana High School musical, De La Soul Day, the Noche de Libro literary festival during Art Walk, the City’s water poster contest, and an upcoming concert at Santa Ana Stadium. The speaker encouraged attendance at the ongoing exhibit on the life and legacy of artist Emigdio Vasquez at Clare Studio and noted that Travel Santa Ana provides resources highlighting local public art. Additionally, they mentioned the “Stolen Dove” art project connected to the Alex Odeh monument in Santa Ana, which has received broader recognition, including attention related to the Sundance Film Festival. The speaker also referenced a related exhibition at MOCA in Los Angeles exploring the meaning and role of public monuments.
The speaker concluded by expressing support for the City’s Public Arts Policy development and requested that the draft be made available soon so the community can review it and provide feedback.
• Commissioner Pena-Marin – highlighted additional upcoming and recent community arts events. On March 7, the 50th Anniversary Student Showcase at Santa Ana High School will feature student and family legacies, with most tickets already sold. They also recapped a successful Coffee & Cars event held on Valentine’s Day, which included about 20 cars, music, and community participation, noting it was a great way to build community and engage local families. The speaker emphasized the abundance of Arts and Culture Commission 5 2/19/2026
ongoing arts activity in Santa Ana and the importance of continuing to promote and share these events to support local artists and community engagement. • Vice-Chair Hernandez – began by congratulating Marlene for her many years of outstanding work in showcasing Santa Ana and County artistry and emphasized the importance of community engagement in the arts. They highlighted personal initiatives at the Grand Central Art Center, including vision board workshops and supporting local artists like David, noting how creative spaces help combat imposter syndrome and foster artistic growth. They also recognized the work of Thrive Santa Ana, which supports young immigrant women in starting businesses and creating community spaces, connecting arts engagement with resilience and social impact. The speaker stressed the intersection of art and activism, referencing national and local events addressing police brutality, immigration, and human rights, and the role of art in expressing solidarity and fostering awareness. Finally, the speaker expressed excitement about upcoming arts sponsorships, encouraged continued promotion of funding for the Arts and Culture Office, and thanked Chair Vu and others for their long-term dedication to supporting the artistic community.
• Commissioner Lopez-Guerra – expressed appreciation for the Commission’s dedication and resilience in serving the community. They emphasized the importance of strategically planning and calendaring events to ensure consistent representation across initiatives, rather than relying on ad hoc participation, and committed to supporting this structured approach alongside other Commissioners.
• Chair Vu – expressed gratitude to all participants, including artists, staff, and Commissioners, for their contributions and dialogue. Appreciation was extended for the collective effort, and a call was made to continue fostering community, collaboration, and heartfelt participation in the arts.
ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting of the Arts and Culture Commission is scheduled for March 19, 2026 at 5:30 PM in the Council Chamber.
Respectfully submitted:
Bianca L. Zurita
Bianca L. Zurita
Executive Secretary/Recording Secretary