ArtWell Spring 2024: Issue 11

ARTWELL

FAC presents 11th annual Arts Alive in Agriculture April 18, 2024; winners pictured above FRESNO COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS COMPETE IN POETRY OUT LOUD

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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

Spring 2024 has brought forth an abundance of arts achievements and activities This May, Fresno Arts Council announced its intent to award the first ever disbursement of Expanded Access to Arts and Culture grants funded by Measure P, the sales tax initiative approved by City of Fresno voters in 2018, which sets aside 12% of collected funds to support cultural arts in Fresno for thirty years Grant disbursements approved by the PRAC Commission total nearly $8 7 million and awards are expected this July.

Since August 11, 2023, when the Cultural Plan was approved by City Council and Fresno Arts Council secured an administrative contract with the City to manage the application process, FAC completed the Cultural Plan, solicited community feedback to develop grant guidelines, distributed the resulting RFP through a robust outreach and engagement process, and provided application support and technical assistance in a variety of formats through the RFP deadline A diverse group of panelists, screened for conflicts, served as adjudicators for the EAAC’s competitive grant review process Now, many organizations and projects are poised to receive funding that will continue to enrich cultural arts in the City of Fresno

INAUGURAL SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY BOOK FEST HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL AUTHORS

FAC CELEBRATES CAC REGIONAL INDIVIDUAL ARTIST FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS

11TH ANNUAL ARTS ALIVE IN AGRICULTURE EXHIBITION AND RECEPTION

FAC ATTENDS ARTS & CULTURE SUMMIT IN SACRAMENTO FOR APRIL’S ARTS, CULTURE, & CREATIVITY MONTH

FAC ANNOUNCES INTENT TO AWARD NEARLY $8.7M IN CULTURAL ARTS GRANTS

FAC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LILIA GONZÁLES CHÁVEZ, AWARDED HONORARY DOCTORATE FROM CSU SYSTEM

AND MORE!

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE, CONTINUED

In addition to managing the EAAC grants process, Fresno Arts Council has continued its work in programs and events, such as Poetry Out Loud, Arts Alive in Agriculture, and public art projects Additionally, we are excited to announce forthcoming “Rural Arts Access Fund” grants for arts projects in Fresno County through a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant. Stay tuned for a Request for Proposals later this summer

In this issue, we highlight the students who participate in Poetry Out Loud, showcase and celebrate the intimate relationship between agricultural communities and artistic expression via the annual Arts Alive in Agriculture exhibition, and recap the inaugural San Joaquin Valley Bookfest, a fiscal project of the Fresno Arts Council We continue to share good news, including celebrating California Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowship recipients, launching FAC’s Art Haven program, and updating you on FAC’s participation in Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month

We are also busy planning for our second annual State of the Arts events, where Fresno’s arts achievements are shared with the greater community State of the Arts will also present the 39th annual Horizon Awards, which recognize those who make a difference in our arts ecosystem We encourage you to submit your nomination for a deserving arts leader by June 10th

I look forward to observing and participating in the many amazing projects EAAC funds will support in the coming months 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

ABOUT US

The 2024 Fresno ArtHop logo Design by Roeski Doeski

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

JOSSELINE SANDOVAL, INTERN

MARITZA OROZCO, INTERN

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

FAC’s featured artist, Arien Reed, shares his poetry and artist statement at ArtHop reception on January 4, 2024

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

OLGA GUTIERREZ DE NUÑEZ, PRESIDENT

KAREN TAKEDA SIMPSON, VICE PRESIDENT

HARPREET GILL, TREASURER SAL LUCATERO, SECRETARY

TIFFANY MANGUM

JEFF MEACHUM

KIRIN SRAN

JOLENE TELLES

THOMAS WHIT ELLIS

ADVISORY BOARD

JOYCE AIKEN

COKE HALLOWELL

JULIE LINXWILER

JERRY PALLADINO

JEFFREY T ROBERTS

QUENTIN E SANFORD

Lilia Gonzáles Chávez, Fresno Arts Council’s Executive Director, Receives Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts from CSU System

Congratulations to Fresno Arts Council's Executive Director and tireless arts advocate, Lilia Gonzáles Chávez, who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts from California State University.

Trustee Diego Arambula submitted the recommendation to California State University, which was approved by the CSU Board of Trustees. The conferral of the honorary doctorate is the highest recognition awarded by the California State University System Fresno State University’s President, Dr Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval conferred the honorary degree on behalf of the California State University and California State University during Fresno State’s 2024 Commencement ceremonies

Chávez was presented with the honorary doctorate award during the President’s Recognition Reception on Thursday, May 16, 2024 in Fresno State’s Concert Hall She had the opportunity to share remarks with other honorees, including the Undergraduate and Graduate Dean’s Medalists

Additionally, Chávez participated in the commencement ceremony for Fresno State’s College of Arts and Humanities on Friday, May 17, 2024, where she joined the platform party, received the degree, and shared remarks with all graduating students She also attended the Chicano/Latino Commencement Ceremony, where she danced in celebration with graduating students, faculty, and administration

Please join the Fresno Arts Council in celebrating its Executive Director, Lilia Gonzáles Chávez, for receiving this honor and for her contributions to the arts community in Fresno County and beyond

FRESNO ARTS COUNCIL SPONSORS

Below: CSU Trustee Diego Arambula, Lilia Gonzáles Chávez, and Fresno State President, Saúl JiménezSandoval (photo credit: Fresno State)

Above: Lilia Gonzáles Chávez receives an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts during Fresno State’s College of Arts and Humanities commencement on May 17, 2024

Fresno Arts Council Celebrates California Arts Council’s Central Valley Individual Artist Fellowship

Recipients

On Sunday, March 24, 2024 Fresno Arts Council hosted a reception for the 2023 Central Valley micro-region California Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowship recipients at Frank’s Place in downtown Fresno The reception honored these multidisciplinary artists and provided an opportunity for recipients to meet one another, discuss their work, and share developing plans made possible by the fellowship funding

Prestigious 2023 California Arts Council (CAC) Individual Artist Fellowships (IAF) totaling $660,000 have been awarded to 71 artists across the 17 counties in the central California region The program is designed to recognize, uplift, and celebrate the excellence of California artists practicing any art form. In doing so, the CAC is showcasing the centrality of artists’ leadership in guiding the evolution of our traditional and contemporary cultures The fellows were selected from 512 artists that applied within the region Visit the SVCREATES website to view a full list of the artist fellows

Fellowship grants support individual artistic practice through unrestricted funding. This program is intended to support a broad spectrum of artists working in all disciplines, from diverse geographies and communities of all sizes across the state of California Awards have been made in the following categories: Emerging Artist Fellows - $5,000; Established Artist Fellows - $10,000; Legacy Artist Fellows - $50,000 Artists were selected by peer-review panels comprised of artists, arts administrators, and arts educators assembled from counties throughout the region The application submission period opened March 10, 2023 and closed on May 5, 2023 The review panels met in mid-July 2023 to make their final recommendations

SVCREATES, the nonprofit countywide arts agency for Santa Clara County, served as the Administering Organization for the region and led a consortium of 16 county arts councils that ensured robust local outreach and representation Fresno Arts Council was proud to partner with SVCREATES to manage the panel process for “micro-regions” within Central California, ensuring deep reach into each county

FRESNO COUNTY

FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS

JULIE ARAUJO

JARED BARBICK

VENITA BLACKBURN

TOMMY DUCH

DIANA GASPAR-PEÑA

GEMA LOPEZ

DONTE MCDANIEL

CONNIE OWENS PATTON

TIŚINA TA-TILL-IUM PARKER / NATIVE ONE

JOSEPH RIOS

DAVID ROBERTS

GARRETT RUIZ

BRYNN SAITO

DIXIE SALAZAR

MICHAEL VASQUEZ

BOBBY VON MARTIN

Alexandra Urbanowski, Associate Director of SVCREATES noted, “Our partnerships and collaborative structure for the IAF program resulted in applications from artists in each county in the region We are thrilled with the geographic and cultural diversity represented by the artists selected as Fellows ”

SVCREATES lead partners are Santa Barbara County Office of Arts and Culture, Fresno Arts Council, and San Benito County Arts Council Artists that reside outside Central California are served by three other CAC IAF Program Regions Information about those may be found here Read full Press Release here

PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

ARTHOP

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WORKSHOPS

HORIZON AWARDS

EXPANDED ACCESS TO ARTS AND CULTURE

CITY AND COUNTY CONSULTANT FOR PUBLIC ART

AGRICULTURE JURIED EXHIBITION

FISCAL RECEIVERSHIP

CITY OF FRESNO POET LAUREATE POETRY OUT LOUD

Fresno Arts Council Announces Intent to Award Expanded Access to Arts and Culture Grants Totaling

Nearly $8.7 Million

Fresno Arts Council announces its intent to award the first ever disbursement of Expanded Access to Arts and Culture grants funded by Measure P, the sales tax initiative approved by City of Fresno voters in 2018, which sets aside 12% of collected funds to support cultural arts in Fresno for thirty years.

Fresno Arts Council received 137 applications, with a total request for funding of $15,584,431 00 On May 20, 2024, the Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission recommended that 98 applicants receive grant funding totaling $8,615,456 05 Seventy two percent (72%) of applicants will receive funding in this first round of grants. View the complete list of grant awardees at https://www.fresnoartscouncil.org/artsandculturegrants.

Since August 11, 2023, when the Cultural Plan was approved by City Council and Fresno Arts Council secured an administrative contract with the City to manage the application process, FAC completed the Cultural Plan, solicited community feedback to develop grant guidelines, distributed the resulting RFP through a robust outreach and engagement process, and provided application support and technical assistance in a variety of formats through the RFP deadline. A diverse group of panelists, screened for conflicts, served as adjudicators for the EAAC’s competitive grant review process

The deadline for online applications was March 25, 2024 at 11:59PM Applications for two types EAAC grants were accepted: Arts and Culture Organization General Operating Support Grants and Project-Specific Support Grants. Each of these grant categories set aside approximately10% of available funds to award to Emerging organizations or projects. Applications responded to priorities included in Fresno’s Cultural Plan

“In our first year, we learned a lot about Fresno’s arts ecosystem We are enthusiastically looking forward to observing and participating in the many amazing projects that were funded through this process,” said FAC Executive Director, Lilia Gonzáles Chávez.

The grant period is July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 Fresno Arts Council will release Requests for Proposals for 2025-26 grants in Fall, 2024

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.

Fresno Arts Council Attends Arts and Culture Summit in Sacramento for Arts, Culture, & Creativity Month

Fresno Arts Council staff traveled to Sacramento on April 16th to attend the second annual CA Arts and Culture Summit, an event hosted by CA for the Arts The Summit took place during CA for the Arts’s 6th Annual Arts, Culture & Creativity Month (ACCM) with this year’s thematic focus “Art Work is Real Work ” Preceding the summit, Fresno Arts Council staff participated in the California Arts Council’s annual State Local Partner convening, a meeting of all County Arts agencies designated as SLPs FAC Executive Director, Lilia Gonzáles Chávez, presented at both the SLP convening at the Arts and Culture Summit, speaking on “Getting Grants and Non-Cash resources to Systemically Under-Resourced Communities” and “Policy Wins, Updates, & Visions for the Future,” respectively.

According to Summit materials, “artists play an essential role in our economy and our health with critical contributions across a variety of social impact areas but often are without the services and conditions they need to thrive due to the ongoing undervaluing of their work Summit panel discussions [covered] diverse topics from leading voices in the field, including arts & health, economic justice, climate change, artists on artist’s work, youth engagement, affordable housing/work space, cultural equity, civic engagement, public art, and more with an emphasis on the public policies and advocacy needed to support the creative industries and workforce ”

Fresno was also represented by Arianna Chávez, Executive Director of Arte Américas, who participated in the panel, “Economic Justice + Community Power Building ” Visit the CA for the Arts website to learn more about the summit and view the program schedule

Above: Lilia Gonzáles Chávez, Executive Director of Fresno Arts Council, presented “Policy Wins, Updates & Visions for the Future”

Below: Arianna Chávez (center), Executive Director of Arte Américas, participated in the panel discussion, “Achieving Economic Justice through Creative Placekeeping”

NEWS FROM FRESNO’S ARTS COMMUNITIES

Poet and Professor, Mai Der Vang, Awarded Guggenheim

Fellowship

Poet and Fresno State professor, Mai Der Vang, has received a prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship, along with 187 other awardees across 52 disciplines, including nine poets Vang, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for her book of documentary poetry, Yellow Rain, will receive a monetary stipend “to pursue independent work at the highest level, under the freest possible conditions.”

See this article by Fresno State Communications Specialist, Jefferson Beavers, for more information

The Janka Project receives WRPN

Women’s International Film Festival award

Janka, a fiscal project of the Fresno Arts Council, was presented an Exceptional Merit award by the WRPN Women’s International Film Festival for Winter, 2023. The film, JANKA From Sighet to Auschwitz to America, received “Exceptional Merit” in the Docu-drama Feature category for director Oscar Speace and “Merit, ” in the Actress, Lead subcategory for Janice Noga’s performance Learn more about the awards here Congratulations to the Janka Project!

In Memoriam: Chris Sorensen

Local artist, welder, and arts supporter, Chris Sorensen, has died. Sorensen, nicknamed “Man of Steel,” passed away on March 8, 2024. He was 98 years old.

Sorensen’s Studios has provided space for local artists since the early 1990s and was one of the original ArtHop venues.

See this GV Wire article for more information Fresno Arts Council extends our sympathies to Sorensen’s family and celebrates his impact on Fresno’s arts community.

In Memoriam: Richard Silva

Local artist, Richard Silva, has died Silva, a painter who studied in San Francisco before returning to Fresno, was a member at Fig Tree Gallery His studio, shared with artist, Dixie Salazar, was next door on Van Ness in Downtown Fresno He passed away on January 30, 2024 at 83 years old.

Fresno Arts Council extends our sympathies to Silva’s family and celebrates his impact on Fresno’s arts community

Photo credit: Andre Yang

FAC Supports Arts Access through Transportation Support Grants

Second graders from Sunset Elementary visit Arte Américas in October, 2023 with support from the Rural Arts Access Fund

Did you know that Fresno Arts Council has a Rural Arts Access Fund that supports arts activities through transportation funding? Schools and community groups may apply for transportation costs related to travel for arts exposure and participation Examples of allowable expenses include, but are not limited to, bus rental costs for field trips to museums or performances, mileage costs for community groups bringing performances to rural areas, and mileage costs for Fresno County groups traveling to perform within the City of Fresno

Fresno Arts Council reviews requests for transportation support to increase access to the arts in Fresno County. Please visit https://www.fresnoartscouncil.org/programs/arts-in-education to download and complete the request form and email it, along with receipts or invoice, to Executive Director, Lilia Gonzáles Chávez at lilia@fresnoartscouncil.org.

FUNDS FOR FRESNO COUNTY CULTURAL ARTS PROJECTS

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS COMING SOON!

FUNDED WITH SUPPORT FROM THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS

Fresno County High School Students Compete in Poetry Out Loud Contest; Clare Nadores of San Joaquin Memorial High School Advances to CA State Finals

Fresno Arts Council announces the winners of the Fresno County contest of Poetry Out Loud® The student winners are: Fresno County Champion, Clare Nadores; runner up, Phoenix Simpson; and third place, Grace Wiseman

Poetry Out Loud presented in partnership with the California Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, and the Poetry Foundation is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country Since the program began in 2005, more than 4 3 million students across the country have participated in Poetry Out Loud

On Tuesday, February 6, more than 20 high school students participated in the Poetry Out Loud contest at Fresno City Hall in City Council Chambers, with the support of Fresno City Councilmember, Tyler Maxwell (District 4)

At Fresno City Hall, students recited works selected from an anthology of more than 1,200 poems Local poets, Juan Luis Guzmán, Brenna Womer, Loan Le, and Joseph Rios served as judges Judges evaluated student performances on criteria including voice and articulation, evidence of understanding, and accuracy The National Endowment for the Arts and Poetry Foundation have created free, standards-based curriculum materials to support Poetry Out Loud including a teacher’s guide, lesson plans, an online anthology, posters, and video and audio on the art of recitation. These resources are available for free at PoetryOutLoud.org.

Clare Nadores, from San Joaquin Memorial High School, advanced to the California State Poetry Out Loud contest on March 17, 2024 “With the support of my teachers and coaches," Nadores said, "Poetry Out Loud has taught me how great writers’ words convey emotions we can all feel and make our own Reciting poetry is like playing music, and I feel proud to be an instrument to these artists whose works I so deeply admire and relate to ”

The California champion, Sonoma County’s Riley O’Hara, received $200 and advanced to the national finals this May, where $50,000 in awards and school/organizational stipends were distributed The representing school or organization of the state champion will receive $500 for the purchase of poetry materials The first runner-up in each state will receive $100, with $200 for their school or organization The Poetry Foundation provides and administers all aspects of the monetary prizes awarded and travel arrangements for the Poetry Out Loud National Finals

To register your school or student for Fresno County’s Poetry Out Loud 2025, please reach out to Andrea Mele at andrea@fresnoartscouncil org To learn more about the California Poetry Out Loud contest, visit https://www capoetryoutloud org

Congratulations to all participating students and finalists!

STUDENT PARTICIPANTS

Fresno County Poetry Out Loud Champion, Clare Nadores, traveled to Sacramento to compete in California State Poetry Out Loud Finals

Congratulations, Clare!

Photo credit: California Arts Council

Photo credit: California Arts Council

Photo credit: California Arts Council

Photo credit: California Arts Council

FAC Launches Art Haven Program in Partnership with Poverello House with support from The Artist Tree and Art Place America

The Art Haven class held at Hope Point, a program of the Poverello House, has evolved as a sanctuary of creativity for the dedicated students who attend weekly. Art Haven, a program of the Fresno Arts Council, offers resources and a medium of expression to those navigating their present circumstances

Many students already come with some artistic experience and are new to working with the mediums offered. Regardless of experience, all students can delve into their artistic endeavors in a safe, peaceful space and reap a full range of wellness benefits from creating art.

The artwork exhibited shows a narrative of resilience and mirrors their thoughts, emotions, and struggles while facing the challenges of homelessness and transition Within the vibrant colors of their artwork, you can catch glimpses of their stories

Program sponsored by: Art Place America, Artist Tree, and Poverello House.

Contact Eric Martinez at eric@fresnoartscouncil org to learn more

Art created by Art Haven participants hangs in the Fresno Arts Council gallery. Visit FAC during ArtHop or business hours to view and purchase Art Haven works.

Shades of Human, Miguel Lopez

Arts Alive in Agriculture: A Juried Exhibition Returns for its 11th Year

On Thursday, April 18th, Fresno Arts Council presented its 11th Annual Arts Alive in Agriculture Juried Exhibition and Reception in "The Barn" at the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust's River Center 54 agriculture-themed artworks by 33 Central Valley artists were on display and available for purchase, with 100% of proceeds going to the artists More than 250 guests attended the event, which celebrates 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

Visual art submissions were solicited and accepted through a juried application process in six categories: Agricultural Landscapes, People and Agriculture, Machines and Technology, Documentary Photography, Manipulated Photography, and Sculpture, Assemblage, and Found Objects In each category, cash prizes were awarded to first and second prize, as well as honorable mentions

Local art experts, Joyce Aiken, Adam Longatti, and Kevin Stewart-Magee served as judges. They selected Gail Perry's watercolor painting, “Rebirth of Earth” as Best in Show, and event sponsors awarded Finn Telles's “Hoshigaki” photograph the Farm Favorite award. A total of $8900 in prizes were distributed to winning artists. A full list of winners is below and available on our website, as is a catalog of the show’s featured pieces. Please contact the artists directly if you would like to purchase their artwork.

This year’s reception featured a grazing table by Fig and Honey Lavish Grazing with produce and charcuterie donated by OK Produce and Busseto Foods, respectively--plus berrocks from the Berrock Shop, wine tasting courtesy of O’Neill Vintners, and beer tasting by Tioga Sequoia Entertainment was provided by the Jerry Thurston Trio This annual event would not be possible without the generous support of sponsors many from the agricultural industry that this exhibit celebrates

Fresno Arts Council thanks our community of artists, agricultural leaders and sponsors, arts patrons and event attendees for joining us in this celebration of the Central Valley's many gifts We look forward to seeing you next year!

ARTS ALIVE

In Agriculture: A Juried Exhibition

BEST IN SHOW: “Rebirth of Earth,” Gail Perry

FARM FAVORITE

(selected by event sponsors): “Hoshigaki,” Finn Telles

Agricultural Landscapes:

FIRST: “Our Valley / Our Gifts,” Lesli Pepper

SECOND: “Above and Beyond,” Daniel Van Gerpen

Honorable Mention: “Vege-cycles,” Dixie Salazar

People and Agriculture:

“Green Tomatoes,” Edward Chaney “Fibonacci’s Farm,” Michael Souza

Honorable Mention: “The Dinner Conversation,” Jasmine Parker

Machines and Technology:

FIRST: “Rebirth of Earth,” Gail Perry

SECOND: “Approaching Tractors,“ Laura Green

Honorable Mention: “Pistachio Plant,” Daniel Van Gerpen

Documentary Photography:

FIRST: “First Leaf,” Daniel Dunham

SECOND: “Flooded Almond Orchard,” Kathryn Cehrs

Honorable Mention: “1949 Farmall Tractor 1, Cantua Creek,” Michael Levy

Manipulated Photography:

FIRST: “Pistachio Perfection,” Haley Coleman

SECOND: “All Time High,” Haley Coleman

Honorable Mention: “Sacred Cows, Cattle Car, Highway 299, Summer 2023,” Michael Levy

Sculpture, Assemblage, and Found Objects

FIRST: “Barn Cat,” Ren Lee

SECOND: “Cat With Yarn,” Evany Zirul

Honorable Mention: “Blue Heron,” David Roberts

THE FRESNO ARTS COUNCIL'S 11TH ANNUAL

ARTS ALIVE

In Agriculture: A Juried Exhibition

In Agriculture: A Juried Exhibition

WASMADEPOSSIBLEBYTHEGENEROUSCONTRIBUTIONS OFTHESESPONSORS

LINDA&ROBERT GLASSMAN

KEITH&PATRICIA HARRISON

JOAN&BOB SCHOETTLER

LARRY BALAKIAN

MARY&JAMES LAFOLLETTE

JAMESCOSTA FARMS

DONALD WILLIAMS

SIMPSON& TAKEDAFAMILIES

San Joaquin Valley Bookfest Spotlights Local Authors

by Danielle Shapazian

A word that summarizes the experience of those who participated in the recent San Joaquin Valley Bookfest? “Magic ” At least that was the descriptive heard repeatedly by Danielle R Shapazian, Director of the event which took place on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at the Fig Garden Swim and Racquet Club in Fresno Under cloudy skies and mild temperatures, 400 people attended all or part of the day’s festivities “An unexpected outcome was seeing how everyone made the day their own,” Shapazian noted “Watching individuals create an experience unique to themselves was deeply satisfying A joy, frankly ” Whether attendees chose to listen to oral readings, meet authors, or pick out a shiny, fun book, both adults and children had the ability to mold the day to their liking.

Starting at 9:00 a.m., local writers presented their work from an outdoor stage. Reporters from The Fresno Bee led question and answer sessions. Ashley Mireles-Guerro, Armida Espinoza, Betsy Hays, Maia Gonzales, Joan Schoettler, and Claire Noland shared excerpts from children’s stories. Writings of fiction and non-fiction were offered by Tanya Nichols, Steven Church, Soreath Hok, and David Borofka Fresno Poet Laureate Joseph Rios shared his work along with fellow poet Sara Borjas Understanding and awe punctuated each session

The San Joaquin Valley Bookfest was funded by private donations and a grant from California Humanities The Fresno Arts Council served as the fiscal sponsor of the event, providing the electronic infrastructure and staffing to receive payments at the pop-up bookstore Due to the dearth of independent bookstores in the San Joaquin Valley, many local authors receive minimal support to champion their writing Through the pop-up bookstore, the Bookfest was able to promote local work ranging from the academic considerations of university professors to coloring books for children With more than fifty authors participating, 100 titles were available for purchase

As mid-afternoon arrived, the storm clouds gathered and the audience was moved inside. Mark Arax, Mas Masumoto, and Aris Janigian presented a session titled “Tapestry of Family and Place”. They shared what it meant to live and thrive in the San Joaquin Valley. Through glass windows and open doors, the rapt audience could hear the begin rain pour. A cozy end to a special day a magical day where words and ideas were explored