ArtWell Issue 10

WINTER 2024

ISSUE

10

ARTWELL

A PUBLICATION OF THE FRESNO ARTS COUNCIL

FAC board, staff, and hosts celebrate at State of the Arts October 26, 2023

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

IN THIS ISSUE

BY LILIA GONZÁLES CHÁVEZ

FAC CELEBRATES INAUGURAL

We ended 2023 with the release of the Expanded Access to the Arts and Culture (EAAC), AKA Measure P Art Funds, Request for Proposals and open 2024 with waves of information on how to apply with a schedule of workshops and information sessions. This is the work we have been eager to do. Like a game of “Whack-A-Mole,” we have been fielding questions, setting up opportunities for the Arts Community to successfully apply for grant funds, and creating processes for adjudication, while continuing our current programs like Poetry Out Loud, Arts Alive in Agriculture, and a plethora of new public art opportunities for artists to create new work in and around the county.

EAAC is the first release of grant funds specifically for the Arts in the City of Fresno since 2010. That was the last round of Community Enrichment grants administered by the Fresno Arts Council. We are all grateful for the COVID relief grants of 2020, but that was only an emergency fund that helped keep our arts community afloat. This new infusion of funds is sure to change the trajectory of the arts with new and exciting projects and programs. I continue to marvel at the steadfast and tenacious group of advocates for Parks and Arts that made this possible. They had a vision for an enhanced quality of life for us all with an understanding that we deserve to have nice amenities in Fresno. The projected release of EAAC grant awards is July 2024.

2024 OFFICIAL ARTHOP LOGO REVEALED

STATE OF THE ARTS AND 38TH ANNUAL HORIZON AWARDS AT THE GRAND IN OCTOBER

FRESNO ARTS COUNCIL PARTNERS WITH FRESNO BICYCLE COALITION TO HOST PUBLIC ART BIKE TOUR

SAVE THE DATE: 11TH ANNUAL ARTS ALIVE IN AGRICULTURE RETURNS APRIL 18, 2024

EXPANDED ACCESS TO ARTS AND CULTURE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS AVAILABLE NOW FRESNO COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS COMPETE IN POETRY OUT LOUD FEBRUARY 6TH AT CITY HALL OPEN CALLS: PUBLIC ART, ARTS ALIVE IN AG, AND MORE

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE, CONTINUED

Announcing the 2024 Fresno ArtHop logo.

Design by Roeski Doeski

In this issue we share how the arts community celebrated this new narrative for arts with the first annual State of the Arts/Horizon awards. It was good to see our community take the time to recognize those who are committed to the arts in so many ways. We also continue to showcase local art and artists with a tour of downtown art specifically organized for the Fresno International Transportation Innovations/PEDAL Summit, Libóta Mbonda drumming program, and Roeski Doeski, the winner of this year’s ArtHop Logo contest.

I begin this year with excitement for what’s ahead and renewed hope for good things to come. Follow us on social media and signup for our e-news to be sure to receive the most current information on what we are creating at the Arts Council.

Revel in the Arts,

Lilia Gonzáles Chávez, Executive Director

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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

FRESNO ARTS COUNCIL

SULIANA CALDWELL, OPERATIONS MANAGER ELISA FLORES, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ERIC MARTINEZ, PROGRAM COORDINATOR

(559) 237-9734 1245 VAN NESS, FRESNO, CA

ANDREA MELE, PROGRAM COORDINATOR

FRESNOARTSCOUNCIL.ORG

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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 2023, Fresno Arts Council worked with such agencies as Caltrans, City of Fresno, 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 March 2023, 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 fresnoartscouncil.org for updates and announcements.

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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.

Executive Director Lilia Chávez delivers address to State of the Arts guests.

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 ADVISORY BOARD OLGA GUTIERREZ DE NUÑEZ, PRESIDENT KAREN TAKEDA SIMPSON, VICE

JULIA COPELAND BRUCE KALKOWSKI

PRESIDENT HARPREET GILL, TREASURER SAL LUCATERO, SECRETARY

TIFFANY MANGUM JEFF MEACHUM

JULIAN RAMOS JOLENE TELLES THOMAS WHIT ELLIS

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

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Fresno Arts Council Releases Request for Proposals (RFP) for Expanded Access to Arts and Culture Grants Funding by Measure P The Fresno Arts Council has announced its Request for Proposals (RFP) for Expanded Access to Arts and Culture Fund Grants. The deadline for online applications is March 25, 2024 at 11:59PM. Fresno Arts Council, under an administrative contract with the City of Fresno, is seeking applications for the first round of arts and culture funding generated by Measure P, the sales tax initiative passed by Fresno voters in 2018. Twelve Percent (12%) of funds collected by the sales tax are designated for improving access to arts and culture via competitive grants for cultural arts nonprofit organizations within Fresno City limits.

The Fresno Arts Council (FAC) will award grants generated by the Measure P sales tax to nonprofit community-based organizations for the purpose of increasing access to the Arts in the City of Fresno.

The anticipated grant period is July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, with awards announced in Summer 2024.

Two types of grants under Measure P’s Expanded Access to Arts and Culture Fund will be distributed: Arts and Culture Organization General Operating Support Grants and Project-Specific Support Grants.

Each of these grant categories sets aside 10% of available funds to award to Emerging organizations or projects. Grants are intended to “support organizational stability for arts and cultural organizations that reflect the cultural, geographic and demographic diversity of the City of Fresno; and reflect the proportion of each grantee's overall operations that serves residents within, or visitors to, the City of Fresno sphere of influence [and…] shall prioritize organizations and programs that support and expand diverse public or youth engagement and equity” (Fresno Municipal Code Section 7-1506(b)(4)).

Applications should address priorities outlined in Fresno’s Cultural Arts Plan, approved in August 2023

by Fresno City Council. Following the release of the RFP, the Fresno Arts Council will host a series of workshops from January to March to assist the community in applying for the grants. Additional application support, including the schedule of workshops, will be posted and updated on Fresno Arts Council’s website throughout the application period.

Visit https://www.fresnoartscouncil.org/artsandculturegrants for detailed information regarding grant guidelines, application instructions, and timeline.

“This is such an exciting time for the City of Fresno arts community,” said Fresno Arts Council’s Executive Director, Lilia Gonzáles Chávez. “We have seen the benefits of Measure P with enhancements to local parks and the development of new ones. With the release of the Expanded Access to the Arts Fund, we will begin to see the power of the arts to strengthen our community through engagement with programs and projects that speak to us in ways that motivate and inspire us all. I encourage everyone who is eligible to apply for this incredible opportunity.”

Please direct questions via email to Executive Director, Lilia Gonzáles Chávez at lilia@fresnoartscouncil.org or contact Fresno Arts Council Monday through Friday between 10:00AM and 2:00PM at 559-237-9734.

OPEN CALLS EXPANDED ACCESS TO ARTS AND CULTURE GRANTS: DEADLINE 3.25.24

EXPANDED ACCESS TO ARTS AND CULTURE GRANTS: DEADLINE

PUBLIC ART: FRESNO YOSEMITE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT:

GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT FOR EMERGING ORGS CALL FOR REVIEW PANELISTS

3.25.24 PROJECT-SPECIFIC SUPPORT PROJECT-SPECIFIC SUPPORT FOR EMERGING ORGS

MULTIPLE PROJECTS AND DEADLINES ARTS ALIVE IN AGRICULTURE JURIED EXHIBITION: DEADLINE 2.2.24

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EXPANDED ACCESS TO ARTS AND CULTURE FUND INFORMATION SESSIONS: GUIDELINES, APPLICATION REVIEW, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REGISTER NOW: Scan the QR code to register or visit https://forms.gle/65twGVW6pv9YjsKR6 MORE INFO @ https://www.fresnoartscouncil.org/artsandculturegrants

Session #1

Saturday, January 27, 2024 1-3PM CMAC 1555 Van Ness Ave. Suite #201 Fresno, CA 93721

Session #2

Saturday, February 17, 2024 1-3PM United Way Fresno and Madera Counties 4949 Cesar Chavez Blvd Fresno, CA 93727

Session #3

Saturday, March 9, 2024 1-3PM Woodward Park Library 944 E. Perrin Ave. Fresno, CA 93720

Learn more about Expanded Access to Arts and Culture Grants: https://www.fresnoartscouncil.org/artsandculturegrants

EXPANDED ACCESS TO ARTS AND CULTURE FUND

CALL FOR REVIEW PANELISTS Apply at https://fresnoartscouncil.submittable.com Fresno Arts Council seeks qualified panelists to serve as adjudicators for the Expanded Access to Arts and Culture Fund.

Accepted panelist applicants may serve on one or more panels (Arts and Culture Organization General Operating Support and Arts and Culture Organization Project-Specific Support).

Seeking Volunteer Experts Artists Culture Bearers Arts and Culture Staff, Administrators & Board Members And more!

Questions? lilia@fresnoartscouncil.org

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Libóta Mbonda offers Community-Based African Drumming Classes, Receives California Arts Council Impact Project Grant

by Donte McDaniel Free Classes sponsored through KDA Creative Corps and California Arts Council with space provided by City of Fresno PARCS Donte McDaniel and Friends are currently teaching community based African Drum Classes at Frank H. Ball Park. Classes are free, drums are provided, and there is a kids’ class and adults class to fit different learning styles.

There are 15 lessons left so it is not too late. In fact, sessions are so beginner friendly, anyone can hop in to try out a class as well (no experience needed). At the end of April those who attended the class are invited to be a part of the "Fresno African Drum Connection" public performance showcasing what we learned together. It is a great opportunity for people to learn how to play the drum.

Free African Drum Circles sponsored by California Arts Council- Libota Mbonda: Fresno African Drumming was also awarded the Impact Project grant and will be announcing our first drum circle and community discussion to figure out what locations and community events could benefit from free African Drum Circles. Visit https://africandruminteractive.org/grants-andpartnership to learn more about the community-based experiences offered by Fresno African Drumming.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ARTHOP TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WORKSHOPS HORIZON AWARDS EXPANDED ACCESS TO ARTS AND CULTURE CITY AND COUNTY CONSULTANT FOR PUBLIC ART

STATE OF THE ARTS ARTS ALIVE IN AGRICULTURE JURIED EXHIBITION FISCAL RECEIVERSHIP CITY OF FRESNO POET LAUREATE POETRY OUT LOUD

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Fresno Arts Council Celebrates “State of the Arts,” Presents 38th Annual Horizon Awards, During Inaugural Event at The Grand.

On Thursday, October 26, 2023, Fresno Arts Council hosted its inaugural State of the Arts event at The Grand 1401 in downtown Fresno. In addition to presenting the 38th annual Horizon Awards, this event celebrated the arts community's achievements over the past year and provided updates and announcements for forthcoming opportunities and grant funding through the “Expanded Access to Arts and Culture Fund,” as wells as Fresno Arts Council’s “Rural Community Arts Access” initiative. Local theatre favorite, Kate McKnight, and FAC Board Member, Julian Ramos, served as emcees for the event, and speakers included Fresno Arts Council’s Executive Director, Lilia Gonzáles Chávez, FAC’s Board President, Olga Gutierrez de Nuñez, Fresno’s Poet Laureate, Joseph Rios, and City Councilmember, Miguel Arias, who presented certificates to the Horizon honorees.

At State of the Arts, guests viewed videos of the Horizon Awards recipients telling their stories about their passion for, and work in, the arts. Each honoree delivered a brief address upon receiving their award; each was met with a standing ovation. Honorees were presented with a custom award created by local glass artist, Cory Ballis. In addition to the Horizon Awards, State of the Arts featured a family-style dinner, entertainment by local performing arts groups, Central Valley Bhangra, McCoy Hip Hop, African Drum Interactive, and Free26 Quartet, and live painting demonstration by Marilyn Torchin, as well as a gallery of local art during the cocktail hour.

As guests exited the event, they were treated to large-scale images projection mapped onto the side of The Grand Tower, created by CDH Productions.

Fresno Arts Council would like to thank our many community sponsors for making this event possible, including Platinum Sponsor, Valley PBS, and Gold Sponsor, Community Media Access Collaborative (CMAC).

2024 Horizon Awards nomination applications will be available this summer. Please visit our website for additional details, and mark your calendars for State of the Arts in October 2024.

FRESNO ARTS COUNCIL SPONSORS

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STATE OF OF

The Arts

Congratulations to the 38th annual Horizon Awards recipients!

State OF THE Arts WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THESE SPONSORS

Greg & Karen Simpson Mun Takeda

Judith & Donald Peracchi

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2024 ArtHop Logo Revealed: Roeski Doeski’s Design Wins Annual 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, the selected winner was Roeski Doeski of Hella Fresno, whose design features hand-lettered typography. The circlular logo contains a palette of gradient orange and yellow, and includes the Fresno Arts Council logo, as required by the contest's official rules. Roeski Doeski received a $600 honorarium for his design; the logo will be featured on all 2024 ArtHop marketing, from window decals for official venues to the Arthop brochure, and all electronic communications regarding the monthly event.

Fresno Arts Council and Fresno County Bicycle Coalition Lead Public Art Bicycle Tour On Saturday, October 28, 2023, Fresno Arts Council partnered with Fresno County Bicycle Coalition to lead a public art tour by bicycle through downtown Fresno. The tour capped off the Fresno International Transportation Innovations/PEDAL Summit, held in Downtown Fresno on Friday, October 27th. The conference’s program included keynote speakers, a panel of mayors discussion, sessions on transportation planning and policy, bicycle education and safety, and several pre-andpost conference events, including a bicycle film festival, community speakers, and group rides.

“The mural ride was a great way for our Fresno Münster Sister Cities PEDAL Summit to offer attendees and international guests a fun cultural experience by bicycle and a great opportunity to enjoy public art in Fresno’s downtown Mural District with Andrea Mele who did a fantastic job as FAC curator for the tour,” said Fresno County Bicycle Coalition Board Chair, Tony Molina, who coordinated the ride. Before the ride began, a bicycle sculpture of 3D “Bike Scribbles,” by Kathleen King-Page, was unveiled. The sculpture, which features three riders of different ages and bicycling experience, as well as personalities, will be installed in a publicly accessible location in Fresno soon.

Over fifty riders, including visitors from Fresno’s Sister City, Münster, Germany, joined the morning tour, which began at the Cultural Arts Park, and followed a loop around downtown Fresno, visiting the murals and public art on Broadway, Van Ness Ave., Mariposa Plaza, the Brewery District, and Fulton Stree. E-bikes were provided to participants without bicycles by the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce’s Clean Shared Mobility Network.

FRESNO ARTS COUNCIL SPONSORS

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Call to Artists: Fresno Yosemite International Airport Seeks Proposals for Public Art The Fresno Arts Council is seeking individual artists and/or artist collectives to submit proposals to create works of art at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport. Visit Fresno Arts Council's open calls page to learn more about available projects.

Read the airport’s media release.

A Call to Artists seeks artists submissions for gallery artwork, mural, medallion design, and suspended sculpture. The proposed designs should create a welcoming and calming environment for those traveling through Fresno Yosemite International Airport while representing the diverse aspects of the land and people of the region. The proposed artwork should be reflective but not limited to the Central Valley's rich and diverse community. The design should create a welcoming and calming environment for those traveling through the Fresno Yosemite International Airport while representing the diverse aspects of the land and people of the region. The project calls for artwork that is permanent, timeless, and inclusive of elements that represent the Central Valley."

Submissions should not include nudes or social-political commentary.

Mural: Submit proposals for a mural to be painted/installed on the interior of the Fresno Yosemite International Airport terminal.

Full guidelines here.

Gallery Artwork: Provide existing or new works of art for the Fresno Yosemite International Airport terminal expansion gallery wall.

Artwork can be in the form of paintings, lithographs, textiles, or mixed media.

Full guidelines here.

Medallion Design: Submit proposals for a medallion design that will be installed in the Fresno Yosemite International Airport.

Full guidelines here.

Suspended Sculpture: Submit proposals for a public art piece that will be installed in the interior of the Fresno Yosemite International Airport. The artwork will be suspended inside the FYI Airport.

Full guidelines here

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Arts Alive in Agriculture: A Juried Exhibition Returns for its 11th Year Fresno Arts Council presents the eleventh annual Arts Alive in Agriculture Juried Exhibition on Thursday, April 18th, 2024. Submissions are open until February 2, 2024. 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 a 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.

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

SUBMIT YOUR ARTWORK Scan the QR code or visit Submittable to submit your ag-themed art for consideration. Artists will be notified of their acceptance in March, 2024.

RESERVE YOUR TICKET Scan the QR code or visit Eventbrite.com to reserve your ticket. This event is free and open to the public, with a suggested $20 donation.

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Fresno County Poetry Out Loud Contest to Select Champion Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at Fresno City Hall Poetry Out Loud, a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and The Poetry Foundation, is an annual national poetry recitation contest with county and state competitions preceding National Finals. California Arts Council facilitates and sponsors these county competitions and hosts each year’s California state contest.

This year, Fresno County’s competition will be held in Fresno City Council Chambers at Fresno City Hall on Tuesday, February 6th at 6:00pm, with support from Fresno City Council President, Tyler Maxwell’s office.

Over twenty students from eight local high schools—Washington Union, San Joaquin Memorial, Clovis West, Endeavor Charter, Clovis North, Design Science, Gateway, and Roosevelt High School— will perform poems chosen from the Poetry Out Loud database. Students select, memorize, and rehears poems with guidance from their teachers and Fresno Arts Council’s Poetry Out Loud coach, former Ventura County champion, Angelina Leaños. Local writers and educators serve as judges, adhering to Poetry Out Loud’s scoring criteria and guidance.

Each participant will receive a certificate of achievement from both Council President Maxwell and the Poetry Out Loud program, and monetary awards will be presented to the top three scorers. Students, teachers, friends and family, and the general public are invited to Fresno County’s competition Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at 6:00pm in Fresno City Hall’s Council Chambers.

This year’s Fresno County Champion will advance to California’s Poetry Out Loud State Finals competition, held March 17-18 held at the Capitol in Sacramento. The county winner will also have the opportunity to submit their original poetry for the state’s concurrent “Poetry Ourselves” competition. National Finals will be held in May in Washington D.C. If you are interested in bringing Poetry Out Loud to your high school or volunteering as a coach or judge, please reach out to Program Coordinator, Andrea Mele at andrea@fresnoartscouncil.org.

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