Artwell Issue 7: Fall 2022

B Y L I L I A G O N Z Á L E S C H Á V E Z

As we 2022 draws to a close, I am in awe of our creative and innovative arts community, and the patrons who support them It is with gratitude and admiration that we share this publication to update you and inspire you to continue as artists or patrons of the Arts Over the past year, ArtHop has returned to its full operation, and we have welcomed several new official venues to the ArtHop community

Local artists continue to produce and exhibit work, creating programs and movements that enrich our community; we celebrated these contributions in October at our annual Horizon Awards in recognition of National Arts and Humanities Month This edition of ArtWell is full of examples of how the Arts continue to inspire and encourage positive work in the community, despite the challenges we have all faced FAC provided services in correctional institutions and schools in 2022, and we are looking forward to expanding partnerships and programming in Fresno County schools in 2023 We have facilitated several calls and selection processes for public art projects in Fresno County from the Fresno Yosemite International Airport to affordable housing projects, high speed rail locations, and community organizations

FAC serves as a fiscal receiver for several local arts projects; this issue shares updates and achievements of these organizations and programs

2022 Horizon Awards Honorees celebrate at the reception October 16th.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE, CONTINUED

Fresno’s literary community continues to thrive This November, former City of Fresno Poet Laureate (2015-2017), Lee Herrick, was appointed California’s 10th Poet Laureate by Governor Gavin Newsom Fresno’s current Poet Laureate organized a social justice and poetry activism reading, hosted by the Fresno Arts Council; the packed house demonstrated Fresno’s heart for activism through literary arts FAC is currently accepting nominations for its 6th Poet Laureate, who will serve April 2023-2025 We are also gearing up for the annual Poetry Out Loud contest, a national poetry recitation competition for high school students, with our Fresno County event held this February at City Hall

As we look forward to 2023, Fresno Arts Council eagerly awaits the completion of the Cultural Arts Plan, required by Measure P, which will guide the distribution of funds to art programs in Fresno We look forward to the infusion of vital support to our arts community, and we encourage you to reach out to us as guidelines and applications become available.

Finally, we invite you to save the date for our 10th annual Arts Alive in Agriculture Juried Exhibition and reception On April 27th, artists will display their agricultural-themed work in The Barn at the San Joaquin Parkway Trust River Center Submissions are open now

There is always something new and exciting being shared by the Fresno Arts Council, so subscribe to our online e-blasts and connect on social media to stay updated with what’s in the pipeline this year Revel in the Arts,

Announcing the 2023 Fresno ArtHop logo Design by Jose Juarez

Lilia Gonzáles Chávez, Executive Director

ABOUT US

The Fresno Arts Council (FAC) is a public 501(c) (3) non-profit organization established in 1979 under the name of “Alliance for the Arts" by local artists, art organizations and interested individuals who wished to create a voice for the Central San Joaquin Valley

Today, the FAC serves as the official State-Local partner to the California Arts Council, as designated by the county board of supervisors By Memorandum of Understanding, the FAC serves as the local arts agency for the City of Fresno, tasked to support and promote the arts industry and to Enrich Our Community’s Way of Life Through the Arts, and acts as an umbrella agency for artists and art organizations from all cultures and disciplines through advocacy, education, programs, and services

We are a non-profit organization managed by a volunteer board of directors The FAC solicits support from foundations, government, and corporate funders, membership dues, and private donations.

We are located at 1245 Van Ness Avenue in Downtown Fresno, and the office is open to the public during weekdays from 10:00AM to 2:00PM, and by appointment

FRESNO ARTS COUNCIL STAFF

LILIA GONZÁLES CHÁVEZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SULIANA CALDWELL, OPERATIONS MANAGER

ELISA FLORES, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

ERIC MARTINEZ PROGRAM COORDINATOR

ANDREA MELE, PROGRAM COORDINATOR

HARPREET GILL ACCOUNTANT

FRESNO ARTS COUNCIL

(559) 237-9734 1245 VAN NESS, FRESNO, CA HTTPS://FRESNOARTSCOUNCIL

OUR WORK

The Fresno Arts Council provides and advocates for local arts programming and services as well as employment opportunities for working artists to both teach and create original artworks in the Fresno County area

Fresno Arts Council provides assistance for public arts projects, including murals, sculptural installations, and other design projects We work with individuals, businesses, and community organizations to understand their vision and needs, develop and distribute a call for artist proposals, and guide the selection and contract process from idea to execution. In 2022, Fresno Arts Council worked with such agencies as California High Speed Rail, Fresno Yosemite International Airport, and State Center Community College District For more information, contact Program Coordinator, Eric Martinez at eric@fresnoartscouncil org

Fresno Arts Council provides Arts in Education programming for county K-8 schools In June 2022, the program certified several new teaching artists to work with Fresno County students, helping them to meet Common Core and Arts Education standards through arts education programming Each year, Fresno County’s Poetry Out Loud™ contest selects a winning student to represent area high schools at the California State Poetry Out Loud competition For more information, contact Andrea Mele, Program Coordinator at andrea@fresnoartscouncil org

Please visit https://fresnoartscouncil org for updates and announcements

History

In 1980, the FAC received a grant from the California Arts Council (CAC) to provide technical and administrative assistance to various arts groups in Fresno County Within a year, the purpose of the FAC expanded to sponsoring and encouraging cultural education and creative activities, as well as serving as the umbrella unit for all county arts organizations, in such areas as legislation, education, and community awareness of the arts

In addition, the FAC coordinated and disseminated information concerning the arts: Beginning in 1991, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the FAC hired folklorist, Amy Kitchener, who developed our program of folk arts locally and created performances and exhibits with local communities The Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA) was formed under our guidance as its own organization, under the leadership of Kitchener In the mid-1990s, the City of Fresno passed Arts to Zoo, a measure collecting 001% of sales tax for cultural organizations The money was distributed for a year and a half before the tax was declared illegal In 1998, the remaining money was given to the FAC and the Fresno Regional Foundation for distribution In 2010, the FAC completed redistributing those funds annually to arts and cultural organizations In 2015, with support from former Assemblyman Henry T Perea, the FAC established the Rural Access Fund Today, the FAC continues to innovate new grant-making opportunities for local artists, including the Fresno Arts Safety Net Fund (FASNF) and FAC Cares, both in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that started in Spring 2020

Arts programs and cultural activities attract industry and other businesses to a community, resulting in growth and economic progress but it takes support from private and public sectors, and people like you, to create and foster this creative activity

We rely on individual, organization and business membership dues, as well as event sponsorships as an integral part of our funding. Be an advocate for the arts in Fresno County by becoming a member of the Fresno Arts Council today

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ELLEN ARMOUR, PRESIDENT LAURA E WARD, VICE PRESIDENT OLGA GUTIERREZ DE NUÑEZ, TREASURER KAREN TAKEDA SIMPSON, SECRETARY

SHIRIN ASSEMI JULIA COPELAND HARPREET GILL ZIANG HER BRUCE KALKOWSKI SAL LUCATERO

TIFFANY MANGUM

JEFF MEACHUM

JULIAN RAMOS

JOLENE TELLES THOMAS WHIT ELLIS

ADVISORY BOARD

JOYCE AIKEN COKE HALLOWELL JULIE LINXWILER JERRY PALLADINO JEFFREY T ROBERTS QUENTIN E SANFORD

CTEC students exhibit their learning design projects at ArtHop in November

Happy Holidays

Fresno Arts Council Honors Excellence in the Arts at 37th Annual Horizon Awards

On Sunday, October 16, 2022, Fresno Arts Council hosted its 37th annual Horizon Awards in the Bonner Auditorium at the Fresno Art Museum Over 100 guests attended to celebrate the contributions to Fresno's arts community by seven individuals and organizations Each year, Fresno Arts Council accepts nominations to honor artists, patrons, organizations, and advocates who work tirelessly to enrich our community through the arts

At the awards ceremony, honorees are introduced by their nominator, and guests view videos of the artists telling their stories about their passion for, and work in, the arts. Honorees are presented with a custom award created by a local artist. This year ' s statue was made by Evan Higgins. Videography was provided by Jason Wada Multimedia. As the ceremony began, talented youth performers from Children's Musical Theatreworks performed songs from their summer 2022 production of Les Miserables Guests, honorees, sponsors, and FAC staff celebrated at a catered reception following the awards ceremony

Fresno Arts Council would like to thank the nominators, sponsors, artists, vendors, and guests who make this annual event possible If you missed the event, you can still view the awardees' videos here If you are interested in making a nomination or providing a sponsorship for next year ' s event, please contact eric@fresnoartscouncil org

From left: Peter Robertson, Roeski Doeski, Lilia Gonzáles Chávez, Stella Freeman, Jared Barbick, Daniel Chavez, Dr Kevin Cooper, Catherine Cooper, Ellen Armour

PROGRAMS

2022 Horizon Awards Honorees, from top left

Patron of the Arts: Peter Robertson

Youth Award: Stella Freeman

Artist Award: Jared Barbick

President's Award: Dr Kevin Cooper

Artist Award: Roeski Doeski

Business and Educator Awards: California Arts Academy and Daniel Chavez Educator Award: Catherine Cooper

Arts Alive in Agriculture: A Juried Exhibition

Returns for its 10th Year

Fresno Arts Council presents the tenth annual Arts Alive in Agriculture Juried Exhibition on Thursday, April 27th, 2023 Submissions are open until February 3, 2023 Please see the guidelines and submit on our website

Please join us at “the Barn” at the San Joaquin Parkway Trust River Center at 5:30PM for public art viewing, live entertainment, refreshments, and an awards ceremony

Arts Alive in Agriculture is a celebration of our agricultural industry through the visual arts with the intent to promote and encourage creative perspectives on our intimate relationships with food-production here in the Central Valley.

Artists will present pieces in six categories, and prizes will be awarded for first place, second place, and honorable mention in each category: Agricultural Landscapes, People and Agriculture, Machines and Technology, Documentary Photography, Manipulated Photography, and Sculpture, Assemblage, and Found Objects

Local arts experts will serve as judges, awarding Best in Show prize to one piece from any category, and event sponsors will select the Farm Favorite award Artists will also make their work available for purchase; a catalog will be provided at the event and on our website. See last year ' s catalog here

If you are interested in sponsoring this annual event, please contact Fresno Arts Council for more information. We look forward to seeing you there!

FRESNO ARTS COUNCIL SPONSORS

Above: 2022 Arts Alive in Agriculture Winners with Fresno Arts Council Board President, Ellen Armour Below: Guests enjoy the art and ambiance at the 2022 event

Year in Review: Yonsei Memory Project

by Nikiko Masumoto, Brynn Saito, and Patricia Wakida

2022 was a year of exciting “firsts” for YMP! In February, YMP hosted our first-ever virtual Day of Remembrance Artist Showcase Over 120 people from all over the country tuned in! Photographer Kristen Murakoshi, comic artist Sam Nakahira, and author Maggie Tokuda-Hall showed us the power of merging creativity and memory work in commemorating 80th annual Day of Remembrance.

Following the showcase, YMP was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Milton Chen W K Kellogg Foundation Trustee Fund We are so grateful for Milton Chen’s advocacy and support of AAPI organizations!

Thanks to this funding and with gratitude for the generosity of our individual donors, YMP hosted our first-ever retreat for yonsei artists and leaders We gathered with Erin Aoyama, Sydney Shiroyama, traci kato-kiriyama, Kellee Matsushita-Tseng, Tani Ikeda, and TT Takemoto in a local cabin for art-sharing, remembering, and conversation about the future of arts and leadership in the Japanese American community

The retreat kicked off with a public reading featuring award winning poets, traci katokiriyama and Sara Borjas co-sponsored by the Fresno Poets Association and the Fresno State MFA program. Our first on-ground public reading since the pandemic drew a warm and lively crowd!

As we wind down the year, YMP co-director Patricia Wakida is spearheading a series of “artist convenings” featuring Bay Area-based yonsei artists, scholars, and organizers with support from Yerba Buena Center for the Arts’ new community investment strategy to build the capacity of artists and artist-led organizations in service of their communities

Looking ahead: As we continue to dedicate our energy, imagination and resources to community, arts, and memory work, we feel a groundswell of movement through these new programs and collaborations! We’re currently working on our 2023 Day of Remembrance online artist showcase, scheduled for the evening of Friday, February 17 More details will be shared at www yonseimemoryproject com

Left: A group photo of participants at YMP’s artist retreat Top row, left to right: Sydney Shiroyama, Nikiko Masumoto, TT Takemoto, Erin Aoyama Bottom row, left to right: Tani Ikeda, Kellee MatsushitaTseng, traci kato-kiriyama, Brynn Saito, Patricia Wakida Photo courtesy of Yonsei Memory Project

Above: A flyer for a reading with traci kato-kiriyama and Sara Borjas Flyer designed by Jefferson Beavers

Above: A screenshot of Nikiko Masumoto and Kristen Murakoshi presenting at YMP’s virtual Day of Remembrance event Photo courtesy of Yonsei Memory Project

Yonsei Memory Project is a fiscally sponsored program of The Fresno Arts Council

YMP logo designed by Mae Espejo

2023 ArtHop Logo Revealed: Jose Juarez's Design Wins Annual Logo Contest

Each year, Fresno Arts Council offers a contest for local artists and graphic designers to create the upcoming year ' s ArtHop logo. This year, out of 83 submissions, the selected winner was Jose Juarez, whose design features the Fresno skyline above an archway, reminiscent of the Van Ness Avenue structure, famously touting Fresno as "the best little city in the U S A," instead adorned with a lighted "ArtHop 2023 Venue" marquee, and a large, cursive "Fresno" across the center The circlular logo features a palette of neon pinks, sunset oranges, and deep blues, and includes the Fresno Arts Council logo, as required by the contest's official rules.

Juarez received a $600 honorarium for his design; the logo will be featured on all ArtHop marketing, from window decals for official venues to the Arthop brochure, and all electronic communications regarding the monthly event “It’s an honor to have my art recognized by the same community that has exposed me to several talented artists across the valley. ArtHop has been a routine thing for me for years now, and to be able to represent it through my art should encourage other artists to push their ideas out there as well,” said Juarez

Photos above, from left: Jose Juarez and his winning ArtHop logo design; guests enjoy the reception and art by Carlos Aparicio and David Cuevas at Fresno Arts Council during October ArtHop; Executive Director, Lilia Gonzáles Chávez presents Juarez with an honorarium as the 2023 logo is revealed

Fresno Writer and Professor, Lee Herrick, Appointed California Poet Laureate

California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Fresno poet Lee Herrick to serve as California's 10th Poet Laureate Herrick, Fresno's Poet Laureate from 2015 to 2017, is a Professor at Fresno City College and in the MFA Program at the University of Nevada, Reno, at Lake Tahoe

Herrick was surprised with the announcement by Newsom and First Partner, Jennifer Siebel Newsom in his Poetry class at Fresno City College In his writing his teaching his advocacy and tenure as Fresno's Poet Laureate, and as a founder of LitHop, Fresno's annual literary festival in the Tower District, Herrick has become a celebrated fixture of Fresno s literary and cultural community He is the first Asian American California Poet Laureate, and joins Juan Felipe Herrera as the second Fresno-based California Poet Laureate

In a press release from the Governor's Office, Newsom said, “As a teacher, poet, and father, Lee writes movingly about his identity as a Californian and encourages others to reflect on what the state means to them Lee’s dedication to highlighting the diverse experiences of Californians and making them so accessible through his poetry, makes him a perfect candidate for Poet Laureate I look forward to his work to inspire communities and individuals across the state through the power of the written word ”

In a Facebook post Herrick described his forthcoming work and goals as Poet Laureate: "My platform is called Our California, which will bring together poetry and social justice and civic engagement organizations in every city where I read during my term Through poems, I hope to celebrate what we love but also what we can improve in this great state I hope to promote, celebrate, educate, and advocate for poetry in every way that I can

Herrick’s work has been published in the Bloomsbury Review, Columbia Poetry Review, Berkeley Poetry Review, The Normal School, The Poetry Foundation, ZYZZYVA, and other publications He is a contributor to many anthologies, particularly those examining the literary flourishing of California’s Central Valley Herrick is the author of three books of poetry: Scar and Flower, Gardening Secrets of the Dead and This Many Miles from Desire

Herrick, who said in the press release, I am deeply honored, humbled, and excited to be named California Poet Laureate," added, “I am grateful to Governor Newsom, his staff, First Partner Siebel Newsom, the Fresno Arts Council, the City of Fresno for making me a poet, poets and writers and readers throughout this great state friends teachers colleagues students and mostly my family parents and sister, and my wife and daughter for their love and light ” Fresno Arts Council is proud to have submitted the nomination to California Arts Council on Lee Herrick s behalf

Herrick will serve a two year term as California Poet Laureate The California Arts Council manages the nomination process as established by law and the nominee must be confirmed by the Senate "Over the course of a two-year term, the Poet Laureate provides public readings in urban and rural locations across California, educates civic and state leaders about the value of poetry and creative expression and undertakes a significant cultural project with one of its goals being to bring poetry to students who might otherwise have little opportunity to be exposed

Follow California Arts Council or Herrick's website for updates and upcoming events Congratulations to Lee Herrick!

Below: photos courtesy of the California Governors Office

Photo by Curtis Messer

Year in Review: Genuinely Curious by Tianna Arredondo

Genuinely Curious is a fiscally sponsored program of The Fresno Arts Council

Genuinely Curious provides tools to support creatives and social change leaders in understanding what is genuine for them through creating practices of curiosity such as self-healing decks, journaling guides, and custom curriculums/programs surrounding the focus of narrative and regenerative relationships

In 2022, with the support of the Fresno Arts Council and Art Place America, I, Tianna Arredondo, founder of Genuinely Curious, was able to complete a collection of seven self-healing decks, more than ten guided journals, a short film, an album of music, and multiple poem and essay collections These works have been shared with Queer ADHD, Queer Nature, Fresno Art Hop at the LGBTQ+ Center, Haus of Essentials, Made for Them, Colorado University, INVST Program, The School for the Great Turning, and Art>Anthropocence<Action, at CSU Summer Arts

Genuinely Curious efforts were supported by Fresno Area creatives and leaders such as: Erica Hughes, MFA/MA, a current Philosophy PhD candidate at Emory University; Shelby Duncan, MBA, currently a project manager at Meta; Santiago Villegas, Founder and CEO of 1903 PR; Williams Raines, Art Faculty at Fresno City and Fresno State/Co-Owner of Corridor 2122; Brandon Spain, local musician and music producer, and Stilz, local musician and music producer

Genuinely Curious's next steps are to reach out to non-profits, higher education, prisons, mental health providers, retreat centers, creatives and more to offer collaborations for programming Genuinely Curious will also be applying for funding and fellowships to continue this work in the world Working with the FAC has helped me to understand how to create a self-sustaining effort to provide cultural work and creative consulting not just for fun and healing, but also as a business FAC has supported me in creating a solid foundation for my creative offerings to support communities locally here in the Central Valley and beyond Visit the website here

FAC OPEN CALLS

FAC GALLERY: IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BEING AN ARTHOP FEATURED ARTIST IN OUR GALLERY IN 2023, PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM AND SEND SAMPLES OF YOUR WORK TO ELISA FLORES@FRESNOARTSCOUNCIL ORG

Tianna Arredondo, founder of Genuinely Curious Photo by Pinar Sinopoulos-Lloyd, courtsey of Genuinely Curious

Year in Review: Breakbox Thought Collective

by Jason Allen

Breakbox Thought Collective is a fiscally sponsored program of The Fresno Arts Council Allen is BBTC's Communications Director All photos courtesy of Breakbox Thought Collective

Our vision is to create opportunities for overlooked groups in the Central Valley area through community based partnerships. Our mission is to foster a holistic, arts-integrated approach to healing the community we serve, BreakBox Thought Collective aims to provide culturally responsive events, economic opportunities, and programs which create lasting impact in the Central Valley through cross-sector collaboration

A very important part of our work is to elevate the voices of others in our community, shining a light in their area of business, art, storytelling, education, faith, health and wellness Centering Black stories in Fresno gives Black people the power to refocus the lens on racial disparity to emphasize the assets and strengths of the community- to identify the best ways forward together

As a proud awardee of the James B McClatchy Foundation’s LIFTing Local Voices grant, we are committed to thoughtful community collaboration On March 26, 2022, through a generous gift from the McClatchy Foundation as our lead event sponsor, we lifted 100 Black voices from within our community and across boundaries With nearly 300 people in attendance, 250 copies of our signature youth publication, Ashe’ Magazine Volume 4 distributed, live music performances from local artists and lots of celebrating, it was clear that our partnership is cultivating meaningful relationships to make a lasting impact in Central Valley Communities and beyond

About Breakbox Thought Collective: We are dedicated to creative expression, healing, and economic opportunity, we create programs for reparation, reconciliation, and self discovery

Left: BBTC members at the 100 Black Voices event

Above: Bosses Day Event

Left: Young Black Navigators Writing Circle

In the month of April, our capacity to support youth engagement and multimedia production improved as the James B Mcclatchy Foundation created an opportunity for our staff and youth interns to attend the Fresno Newstrain We learned about podcasting, video, data analytics and gained many powerful tools One of the sessions, Storytelling on Small Screens: Making Smart Choices for Mobile Audiences, was led bystaff from NBC Universal

BBTC hosted A Family Road Trip to see the Tupac Shakur: Wake Me When I’m Free Exhibit We also coordinated a Q and A panel with Sascha Brown Rice and Tchaiko Omawale following our tour of the exhibit

The dinner and discussion series continued moderated by Sascha Rice, an award-winning filmmaker, public speaker, teacher, and granddaughter of California's former Governor Pat Brown, niece of Governor Jerry Brown, and daughter of former State Treasurer Kathleen Brown and our special guest speaker, Tchaiko, is an award winning director who grew up as a Global Nomad, a Black Third Culture Kid Prior to moving to the United States at age sixteen, she lived in seven different countries while her father worked for UNICEF Tchaiko has made several short form projects, an award-winning feature film, and directs television and commercials

Our two year partnership with the California Black Freedom Fund has opened doors for us to connect with other organizations across California. We discussed issues ranging from power building, investing in Black permanency, the importance of healing, developing young Black students and celebrating Black women ' s leadership We were grateful to participate in what will be one of many community conversations to tell our stories

Storytelling not only invites us to dream, but it allows us to create spaces for those dreams to come true Through generous support from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation’s California Black Freedom Fund, we were able to move into a new 5,200 square foot space with 3 studios to house our expanding media, creative arts and healing programs Our newly developed relationship with Community Vision assisted us with advancing our financial literacy and throughout the process of acquiring a physical space

Grantmakers for Girls of Color, sponsored by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors brilliantly uplifts and invests in the leadership of Black girls, femmes and gender-expansive youth As an awardee of their Black Girl Freedom Fund, we were able to elevate our work on a national level to a broader community of organizations and funders committed to girls, femmes, and genderexpansive youth of color. The Black Girl Freedom Fund’s mission to cultivate and mobilize resources in support of girls ofcolor allowed us to develop our infrastructure, enhance our ability to provide trauma informed care and professional development to our youth participants We engaged our community through a series of focus groups, listening sessions and healing circles Each of these twelve activities provided important learnings so we can better serve our community

Our collaboration with the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce through their Betting Big on Small Black Businesses Initiative, had a huge impact on our work this year Betting Big is an investment in Black entrepreneurship As a collaboration between the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce and our youth publication, Ashe’ Magazine, our writers had the opportunity to spend three days with fifteen Founders and CEOs of emerging businesses and public figures who are stakeholders, hearing their stories and exploring the motivation for the work that they do A local program from the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce helps local entrepreneurs make these bets “Betting Big on Small Black Businesses ” This 12-week incubator and accelerator program for startups and POC provides access to community, education, mentorship and capital

We had seven students who graduated in the Class of 2022! Scholarships awarded were close to $10,000 Our End of the Year Celebration hosted a full house of parents, students, staff and community stakeholders

BreakBox Thought Collective attended a number of conventions and summits The California Endowment recently made it possible for us to be able to send two storytellers and representatives of BBTC to the in person Narrative Power Summit 2022 The Narrative Power Summit 2022 offered social justice communicators an opportunity to network, spark collaboration, and generate new ideas and strategic approaches. The summit was hosted by Reframe and Radical Communicators Network.

We are excited to be the recipient of the Possibility Labs’ Wayfinder Grant, a $25,000 grant to be paid to the Fresno Metro Black Chamber Foundation on behalf of Breakbox Thought Collective for general operating support These funds will make it possible to purchase equipment and supplies to support various trauma informed storytelling efforts

The Fresno Arts Council will receive a $27,500 grant in support of the BreakBox Thought Collective Young Black Navigators Program, awarded by the AHEAD Economic Development Grant Program from the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco) The project will support paid internships, training,and career and employment services for underserved and disadvantaged young people in Fresno County We can't wait to take the Young Black Navigators Program to the next level

We're thankful for the unwavering support of The Fresno Arts Council

In progress

China Alley wall before Progress photos and event flyer courtesy of California High Speed Rail Authority

Getting started

In progress

Muralist, Mauro Carrera

Year in Review: La Catrina Project

by Marcos Dorado

Photographer Marcos Dorado and partner Lupe López are a creative team bringing Mexican folkloric figure, La Catrina, to life through fashion design and photography exhibits Their most recent was on display at Fresno Pacific University from October 6 to November 11 in the Ewert Art Gallery at the Warkentine Culture and Arts Center on campus

Dorado says that their purpose is "to promote an important Mexican folkloric figure that has suddenly gained great popularity in the United States Without understanding her background origin, La Catrina is relegated to simply pop art As a result, our exhibit featured three narratives conveying our intent with each of the three venues featured in our exhibit: Pasadena City Hall, The Underground Gardens and Sacramento Historic City Museum."

Future plans include continuing to exhibit and to promote La Catrina and her history here in Fresno and elsewhere A Los Angeles museum show is being planned, with dates to be announced Next year ' s La Catrina, according to Dorado, "will honor a specific part of California history Like before, LA designer, Paulina of Paulina Clothing, will help us create the next Catrina look "

Additionally, Dorado has received an invitation to exhibit two of the La Catrina pieces at la Galería Elena Poniatowska in Mexico City, next month Poniatowska is a prominent journalist and author; Dorado and López are looking forward to this honor

Learn more about Marcos Dorado and La Catrina Project here

Instagram: @marcosdorado

Website: dorado photography

La Catrina Project is a fiscally sponsored program of The Fresno Arts Council

All photos courtesy of Marcos Dorado

Year in Review: Libóta Mbonda by Donte McDaniel

Libóta Mbonda is a fiscally sponsored program of The Fresno Arts Council

Who are we?

Libóta Mbonda is a community based business that uses African drumming to enrich the lives of families Libóta Mbonda promotes the conservation of West African Traditional Drumming all over the valley They welcome participants of all ages, experience levels, and backgrounds to learn West African history, background, and rhythms to everyone who participates in their events For years , Libota Mbonda has provided their specialized African Drum circle services, provided drum workshops, community lesson, driveway drum circles to promote COVID safe measures, live performances, and djembe repair After receiving the Artist in Communities grant in 2020, Libota Mbonda conducted more than 20 free drum circles and 16 African Drumming classes

Donte McDaniel, owner and founder of Libóta Mbonda, has been mastering the djembe for over 14 years During his Social Work program, Donte studied ways to use group-based African drumming to promote community health Donte is certified in evidenced based Drumming interventions and combines his passion to help and enrich lives by providing African drumming in the community

List of Events

Libóta Mbonda continues to partner with many community based businesses and nonprofits to provide African drumming services This includes River Park Art Groove gallery Libóta Mbonda hosts their monthly drum circles at River Park every third Sunday at 4:00PM-5:00PM They also continue to support the community and provide African drumming services at public events such as Fresno Juneteenth and Arthop

This year, Libóta Mbonda was awarded the Impact Project grant which sponsors the West Side Fresno “Drum In-Power” project Libóta Mbonda has conducted their initial drum circle and will host a total of 20 free community drum circles for the 2022-23 year All chairs and drums are provided and each drum circle is family friendly and focused on providing a space for healing and empowering our African American families in Fresno

Achievements

As African drum circle facilitators, Donte McDaniel and his wife, Sharessa McDaniel, have started serving schools across the county by bringing students together using African Drumming Donte and Sharessa have partnered with Fresno County and other Valley schools in providing afterschool based programs on a daily basis Libóta Mbonda has 100 djembe drums as well as other percussive instruments for programs With over 3,500 students served this year, Donte and Sharessa continue to use African drumming to promote students’ music education, cultural awareness, self expression, mindfulness, and to promote values rooted in community

Donte also received the Apprenticeship grant in 2021 in which he studied under Master Drummer, Mamady “Wadaba” Kourouma His studies helped expand his ability to understand, play, and master the djembe Donte’s djembe drumming can be heard in rooms of even 100 djembe players, as he guides the group in connecting African rhythms

Monthly Riverpark Drum Circle, 2022 led by Donte McDaniel

Right: Community Drum Circle led by Libota Mbonda in partnership with Fresno EOC All photos courtesy of Donte McDaniel, Libóta Mbonda

Activities

Libóta Mbonda will host a final showcase for the “Drum InPower” project which will show the progress of the drum circles and the power found in community drumming They also hope to establish regularly occurring African Drum classes

If you would like to participate in our free African Drum circles, be sure to follow our Social Media page or contact us via email, text, or phone to be added to our events list Libóta Mbonda keeps their followers updated on any upcoming events so that you and your family can join in the drumming!

Plans for the future

Each grant is an opportunity to sustain programs After the conclusion of the Impact Project, Libóta Mbonda will continue to build and strengthen relationships with community members and organizations to provide African Drumming services

Donte is also president of Fresno African Drumming, Inc , a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit His hope is to see the growth of a residency program and space that can be used to provide regular drum classes for kids, adults, and families Donte hopes that drum rentals can be provided to community members for classes Furthermore, Donte hopes to establish a West African Traditional Arts Center that can house drum, dance, singing, and other traditional African Arts forms

Above: Donte McDaniel preparing to host a large drum circle for an afterschool program

Support

Show support for community business by requesting a performance, workshop, private lesson, or drum circle for your event Libota Mbonda provides African drumming services that liven your event and bring awareness to culture and community

If you would like to support the growth of community based African Drumming, tax deductible donations can also be made to Fresno African Drumming, Inc 501(c)(3) nonprofit

donte@fresnoafricandrumming org libotambonda@gmail com Website: fresnoafricandrumming org

Above: Hinds Hospice fundraiser, Ubuntu drum circle hosted by Libóta Mbonda

Top left: Hinds Hospice Fundraiser 2022 community healing song Donte McDaniel- lead drum circle facilitator, Sharessa McDanielassistant drum circle facilitator (middle), Brendel James- drum accompaniment (left)

Bottom left: Drum IN-Power Project 2022, first session of free community drum circles

Fresno Poets Gather at FAC to Encourage Poetry Activism

On September 20, Fresno Poets rose up to call for Social Justice at a packed poetry reading held in the gallery of the Fresno Arts Council The event was organized by City of Fresno Poet Laureate Megan Anderson Bohigian, who read along with a host of fine local poets, including former Fresno Poet Laureates Lee Herrick (now the State of California's Poet Laureate) and Bryan Medina, Steven Sanchez, Brynn Saito, Kirk Stone, and Hermelinda Hernandez Evo Blustein provided music during an intermission.

Brynn Saito

Steven Sanchez

Bryan Medina

Lee Herrick and audience

Hermelinda Hernandez

Kirk Stone

Megan Bohigian

CALLTOARTISTS

PublicArtProject

The City of Clovis seeks an artist or artist team to create an engaging public artwork to be purchased and placed in the new Clovis Senior Activity Center: A Smittcamp Family Legacy. Artists with previous experience in creating public art are encouraged to apply The City will purchase the Project from the successful Proposer and the Project will be displayed inside the new senior center facility located at 735 Third Street, Clovis, CA, 93612.

Year in Review: Bridging Worlds, Nurturing Roots by Orion Cameron

Bridging Worlds, Nurturing Roots is a fiscally sponsored program of The Fresno Arts Council, and a project of the San Joaquin Valley ArtPlace America Assembly Orion Cameron is a Creative Documenter of this project

Above:

Over the course of this year, Bridging Worlds, Nurturing Roots engaged in a number of activities and refined our direction as we moved along 2022 was marked as a year for this project to deepen in relationship with other aligned organizations, have space and time to incubate our curriculum and online presence, and do field work to draw in future collaborations to make the most impact

One of the projects, connected to the Nurturing Roots aspect of our work that took our focus this year was collaborating with HATCH Workshop to co-host a six-month open forum series, which brought dozens of community members to participate in critical conversations around a variety of contemporary issues The model of the event involved a lottery in which one lucky attendee received funds for participating, stimulating the local economy, as well as a re-grant for a community planting program

Moving into our last forum in November, we hope to build off the momentum from these conversations to continue an ongoing space for community discussion, continued collaborations for place-based programming, and skill share between community organizers

Additionally, we have been engaged in the build-out and development of the San Joaquin Valley Cultural Community Circle, a network made to unite creatives of all kinds and cultural practitioners from across the bio-region In its firstever gathering, we directly supported via organizing a Stockton delegation, creating a thought map of the visioning session, and will incorporate the learnings from this experience into the Nurturing Roots aspect of this project

Left: A graphic recording of the San Joaquin Valley Cultural Community Circle’s vibrant visions of the region

The flyer for the overall Open Forum series in Stockton, spanning a diverse range of topics

Next year, we are planning to support the next gathering in early February in Stockton, and to remain deeply involved in this historic convening of people by creating projects adjacent to this circle and community One way we want to do this is by doing an intentional knowledge exchange between Central Valley youth organizers and movements in the Bay Area, through a partnership with Canticle Farm and its sister site, Earth Abides, land-based learning centers

The Bridging Worlds aspect of our work has been moving more slowly, albeit substantially, this year through internal development and preparing for educational touring and storytelling work Reconnecting with grassroots partners who helped in the development of the California Allegory poster has aided our efforts to develop a real-time curriculum and companion booklet to the poster, and we are aiming to finalize and have a print run of these resources by early next year Much of the content development of the website is ongoing and an official launch is expected in 2023, to sync up with a tour announcement. Despite this, we were able to prototype a version of our workshop at Stanford University and have a presentation scheduled for Santa Clara University next April

Much of the field work that occurred this year also felt healing, just to be able to be fully present for ancestral reconnection and cultural solidarity Getting involved with Bangka Journey, an organization built to use the traditional Filipino canoe as a connection point between our diasporic peoples across place and oceans, has helped to bridge the gap between precolonial seafaring practices with contemporary navigating of social issues We helped to woodburn and design bugsays, or paddles, for elders and have become part of a special community As someone who has been disconnected from parts of my heritage due to colonization, I am excited to bridge connections with Bangka Journey further to create more opportunities for Filipino youth in Stockton specifically to connect with these practices– and we are connecting with Little Manila Rising this year to do just that!

All photos courtesy of Orion Cameron

THANK YOU TO 2022 FAC PROGRAM AND EVENT SPONSORS

JAMES & COKE HALLOWELL

VICTOR & LILIA CHAVEZ

RAVI & KENDRA BATTH

GREG & KAREN SIMPSON

JOAN & BOB SCHOETTLER

GIBSON FARMS

JACQUELINE & RAYMOND DOUMANIAN

WAYNE & LAUREL HUBER KATHY WOSIKA

JOYCE & BOB KIEREJCZYK

DONALD WILLIAMS

BERBERIAN RANCHES

LARRY BALAKIAN

IN-KIND DONORS

DANIELLE R SHAPAZIAN MARY LAFOLLETTE