The Palette
The Place Where Art Happens!
President’s Message
When it comes to the new world of “AI,” I have to ponder how this may or may not affect my role as President. Early March two of our board members received a strange e-mail from “me” stopped in their spam folder. Now when the first board member called me, I went on alert. When the second board member called me, I began to question what was going on!
“AI” vs Hemet Valley Art Assoc.
So I had my computer expert come to my house to again run diagnostics and verify my computer had multiple layers of protection to avoid being hacked. Scott shared that, in these new times of “AI,” we all have to be aware of hackers, spam and folks with nothing else to do but mess with others’ computers, personal data, etc. Scott advises to always check your spam. Report spam as spam and do not click or open strange messages. If a person is not in your address book, do not give them access to your e-mail address book. Never, never open a strange e-mail. How “AI” got access just to any of my personal e-mail addresses is unknown. How I manage my incoming e-mails is on me.
Anna Ives is our Treasurer and has her own world of contacts at the gallery. If anyone calls the gallery phone and asks for any information regarding any gallery financial business, hang up. Anna has in place communications
Continued on next page
HVAA President Lynn Throckmorton (left) with artist and HVAA member Madison (Maddie) Alcauther, our Evening of Art’s emcee.
President’s Message - Cont’d from p. 1
with all financial institutions, and they will never call the gallery and ask for any information. So if you are a gallery host and the phone rings and you find the questions unusual, hang up. HVAA has a visible presence now in the community, via Facebook, Instagram, the newsletter, e-mails, etc. The board members responsible for managing these platforms are very well versed on security and what needs to be visible to the outside world. My guess is “AI” sees HVAA now and is looking for that place in time where we have our guard down. Trust me, our footprint on the electronic highway is being well tended by folks like Jose Pacheco, Art Majerus and Sheryl Cooley.
Finally, never give out a member’s phone number, address, or e-mail address. Never, under any circumstances. Take a message and call me. The roster at the desk is there for sitters to notify the next sitters.
So in the new dawn of “AI” I hope my concerns above helps each of us deal with new forces out on the electronic highway looking for an opportunity to mess with our personal data. Be smart. Manage your computer and all your financial data. Thanks.
Lynn
Officers, Board Members, Appointed Positions
OFFICERS
President/ Communications V. President/Marketing Relations
Secretary
Treasurer
Parliamentarian/ Marketing Comms. Gallery Director
Lynn Throckmorton throckhemet@earthlink.net
Alison Wieman alison_wieman@yahoo.com
Kathy Schmitt kds5@verizon.net
Anna Ives annaives898@hotmail.com
Sheryl Cooley cooleybates@sbcglobal.net
Art Majerus sawdustman@mac.com
BOARD MEMBERS
Jenny Gagnon
Patti Greco
Diane Klewenhagen
jennymonique@verizon.net paintedlady207@gmail.com dianescritters@icloud.com
APPOINTED POSITIONS
Membership/Orientation
General Mtg.
Social Media
Newsletter
Photographer/Historian
Activities
Social/Hospitality
School Liaison/Scholarships
Web Master
Sitting Calendar/ Orientation
Evening of Art
Grants & Fundraising
Facilities
Database
Tracy Anderson tandyart@yahoo.com
Patti Greco paintedlady207@gmail.com
Beverly Johnson beverlyaj1@gmail.com
Jose Pacheco eye.eatclayart@gmail.com
Sheryl Cooley cooleybates@sbcglobal.net
Julie Jernegan jcustomphotos@gmail.com
Alison Wieman alison_wieman@yahoo.com
Beverly Squire beverlysquire@icloud.com
Alison Wieman (Liaison) alison_wieman@yahoo.com
Jenny Gagnon (Scholarships) jennymonique@verizon.net
Art Majerus sawdustman@mac.com
Diane Klewenhagen dianescritters@icloud.com
Alison Wieman alison_wieman@yahoo.com
Alison Wieman (Grants) alison_wieman@yahoo.com
Linda Baranek (Fundraising) linvivb1@gmail.com
Bob Straubinger bobstraubinger@msn.com
Steve Wilkinson slwilkinson.fineart@gmail.com
A shout out to HVAA member Diane Klewenhagen’s neighbor Mark, who hand-crafted this birdhouse designed like a barn and donated it to Evening of Art. It was one of the most popular silent auction items on the table.
Apr 30
CALENDAR
Board Meeting 1:00-3:00 pm At the art center and gallery
Take down art from grids and panels At the art center and gallery
May 3
General Meeting 1:00-3:00 pm
Demonstrator: Sheryl Stradling, Mixed Media Masonic Lodge, 150 Laursen St., Hemet Open to the Public, Free Park in Wells Fargo Parking Lot After 12:30 pm For more information, see flyer on page 5
May 5 May 28
Change of Painting (CoP) (contest art drop off) 9:00 am-Noon Theme: Flowers
At the art center and gallery
Board Meeting 1:00-3:00 pm
At the art center and gallery
Just in time for springThe Painted Ladies have created adorable teapots decorated with clay flowers just in time for Easter or Mother’s Day! HVAA Fundraiser: $25/ea
April’s meeting was again a lovely success for 35 guests and members who enjoyed the loose and innovative acrylic style of demonstrator Valentina Landin. Her advice - don’t think about what you’re painting, just paint! And paint at least a little bit every day. It was amazing to watch her tonal study of a birch tree forest and meadow. Alison Wieman won the painting in the last raffle of the day.
Three tables of other raffle offerings included new items like BBQ tools, a watch, jewelry, matted photos, a purse, a fern plant, acrylic tube paints and panels, earrings, woven baskets, beauty salon services, hair products, a stainless steel grill basket, and a fan pull, as well as many cherished white elephant items that were won by a bevy of ticket buyers, making our finances look on the profit side for the day.
Among the best “bid for” items were the art pieces donated for sale by Beverly Squire, Vicki Moran, Lynn and Bob Throckmorton and Diane Klewenhagen. As artists, we are thrilled to get to own our co-members’ art at such wonderful prices. Thank you for these donations, which are making our meetings profitable for the first times in a long time.
We would love to receive your art donation for the May meeting…give Patti Greco or Beverly Johnson a call so we can pencil in your donation. Thanks also for all those who brought items for our lunch (it was a veritable FEAST!) and for the folks who gave a hand at the presentation.
Patti Greco
Newsworthy Demonstrator Paints With Sponge
Mark Your Calendar!
Come join us at the next
HVAA General Meeting
On Saturday, May 3, 2025 12:30 pm at the Masonic Lodge 150 Laursen St. in Hemet.
Our Demo Artist is Sheryl Stradling!!
Rafßes! Snacks! All are Welcome!
Sheryl Stradling works in mixed media. She is a nonobjective and abstract artist. Her work is eclectic, drawing inspiration from nature, architecture, Asian culture and cross-cultural symbols. Her work has been shown in Seattle, Southern California and metro Phoenix, and has won numerous awards.
18th Annual Evening of Art
Art
Majerus Artworks Management
Dr. Bob Straubinger Logistics Security
HVAA held its 18th Annual Evening of Art March 22nd at the Hemet library. The purpose of the event was three-fold: to recognize the talents of our local valley high school students, to invite art lovers from throughout the valley to view HVAA member art, and to raise enough funds to do it all again next year.
This year seemed somehow more congenial, more intimate. Maybe it was the beautiful weather. Maybe it was this year’s configuration of space, which made the venue seem less crowded. Maybe it was the return of our caterers, who are artists and HVAA members.
Or maybe it was the good-sized stage that now sits along the back wall of the huge second-floor room, making sure our recognition ceremony was the highlight of the evening. Twelve students from various high schools won HVAA’s Student Achievement Awards.
Mike
Yeager Earl McNeese Catering
Success can be measured in all sorts of way. Perhaps most importantly, Evening of Art took in enough to meet our goal of being able to fund yet another category of medium next year. We will be dividing the “Other 2D” category into “Digital Art” and “Other 2D.” Yup, we’re already planning next year’s Evening of Art. Come along for the ride!
Alison Wieman Chairperson
Demonstrators
Student Winners
Painting
1st Place: Chrissie Bugendyment, “Hills Burn in California,” Hemet High School
2nd Place: Valerina Hernandez, “Lost in the Forest,” Hemet High School
3rd Place: Jasmine Martinez, “Man and Moth,” Hemet High School
Other 2D
1st Place: Ethan Arevalo, “Pier Reflections,” West Valley High School
2nd Place: Valerina Hernandez, “Bumble Bee,” Hemet High School
3rd Place: Alexia Leon, “The Long Summer,” Tahquitz High School
Photography
1st Place: Lillian Gutierrez, “The Vivid Platter,” Academy of Innovation
2nd Place: Natalie Manquez, “Journey Through Peaks,” Tahquitz High School
3rd Place: Dazy Delong, “Interlude,” Tahquitz High School
Ceramics
1st Place: Damien Ascencio, “Tooth and Brain,” West Valley High School
2nd Place: Nadir Landin, “Moon Rocket,” West Valley High School
3rd Place: Paula Terrazas, “The Bloom and the Burial,” Hemet High School
Right: First place winners (top to bottom): Chrissie Bugendyment (Painting), Ethan Arevalo (Other 2D), Lillian Gutierrez (Photography), Damien Ascencio (Ceramics)
Left: Some of the other student submissions
HVAA Demonstrators (from top left): Linda “Vivian” Baranek (basket making), Nipa Swope (acrylic pour), Jose Pacheco (sculpture), Miyoko Whittelsey (watercolor) and Jenny Gagnon (gourds)
What a night!
Sponsors
Picasso Level ($1000+)
State Farm Insurance, Valerie Drummer
Esther Feigenbaum
Alison Wieman
Mike Yeager & Earl McNeese
Renoir Level ($00-$749)
Centruy 21 Masters, Steve Kosta
Diane Klewenhagen
Dali Level ($100-$499)
Sherri Domenigoni
Leonard & Sandi Gleason
Richard Lacasso
Jacqueline Peterson
SilentDonorsAuction
Linda “Vivian” Baranek
Esther Feigenbaum
Diane Klewenhagen
Teddy Oatey
Betty Pilley
Pamela Flinn Schanuel
Lynn Throckmorton
Miyoko Whittelsey
Alison Wieman
Cathy Woolery
Mike Yeager
Polly’s Pies
Rockin’ K Restaurant
Los Vaqueros Mexican Restaurant
Thanks to Our Community Partners
Clockwise from top: friend and Evening of Art guest Leonard Gleason, friend and guest Paul Barr, Mayor Jackie Peterson
Below (l-r): City Councilmember and President of the Hemet Concert Assoc. Linda Krupa; artist and HVAA member Stepheny Estes, Hemet San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce Director Kevin Saunders, Director, Marketing & Development EXCEED Sandra Aldridge
Centruy 21 Masters, Steve Kosta
City of Hemet & Hemet City Council
Dr. Corey Jackson, CA State Assemblymember
Dr. Yxstian Gutierrez, 5th District Supervisor, Riverside Co.
Harvard Street Bakery
Hemet Chamber of Commerce
Hemet Concert Association
Hemet Heritage Foundation
Hemet Police Department
Hemet Public Library, Kathye Caines
Historic Hemet Theatre
Ramona Hillside Players
State Farm Insurance, Valerie Drummer
HVAA’sHemetOwnSketchers
This past month we’ve had a lot of fun, and we have gone to some interesting places. We went to two churches, The Camelot and Datillos.
It’s not too late to join us; come check us out at any time. What’s better than sketching with friends. We meet on Tuesdays from 10:00 am-Noon. Our locations vary, so be sure to contact me to find out where we will be next.
Tracy Anderson 619-890-8126
tandyart@yahoo.com
HVAA - Part of the Larger Community Rock, Rock Everywhere a Rock!
Twenty-four HVAA artists painted rocks and distributed them around the Hemet area. On the bottom of each one was a label:
Hemet Valley Art Center & Gallery 144 N. Harvard Street in Hemet
You now have in your hand an original piece of art on a rock created by one of the gallery artists. Please take a photo and post on Facebook, telling where you found your art. You have a one of a kind piece of art to treasure. Thanks.
Have you found one yet?
The mission of the HVAA is to encourage and develop the appreciation, study and practice of the fine arts and to further educate, inspire, and enrich the lives of others through our programs, exhibits and activities.
HVAA Members Once Again Blown Away by EXCEED Art Show
EXCEED, an organization that supports disabled adults in the area, held their annual art show March 26th. We at the art center are always excited to see what they create, and several members attended the event again this year. We were not disappointed!
Left: Dr. Bob Straubinger’s rock Below: Zallah Hobson’s rock
From the Membership Chair
As of the end of February, we have 140 members. I’d like to welcome our new members for the month.
Thank you to our newest Platinum Life member Esther Feigenbaum and all of our Platinum Life and our Bronze Members. We appreciate your support!
If you have any questions about membership, feel free to contact me at 619-890-8126 or tandyart@ yahoo.com
Tracy Anderson Membership Chairperson
From the Gallery Director
As you read this we will have had a successful evening or art, and it is time to move forward.
Discussions about changes to the gallery will continue with nobody wanting to do anything hastily. I will be looking at a small change to a couple panels in late summer and I would like to get the podiums painted a light color.
I will be gone for most of June and will let everyone know who to contact while I am gone. Additionally, I have some surgery scheduled for April 30th which will mean someone else will be running COP as I will just be getting into walking again.
We still need someone to stand up and consider taking on the Director job next year. It’s not really that hard. I am also the scribe and webmaster, so it looks like I am doing more than a director really needs to do. Please contact me for more info.
Classes
Advanced Watercolor Painting Instructor: Betty Pilley Class Full—Waiting List at Gallery
Mixed Media/Watercolor Instructor: Miyoko Whittelsey 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 10:00 am-12:30 pm $25 per class
Drawing Instructor: Miyoko Whittelsey 2nd & 4th Thursdays, 10:00 am-12:30 pm $20 per class
Hemet Sketchers Instructor: Tracy Anderson Tuesdays, 10:00 am-12:00 pm, Locations vary Contact Tracy for details - tandyart@yahoo.com Free
Children’s Clay Class: Ages 8-12 Instructors: Patti Greco and Jose Pacheco Saturdays*, 1:00-3:00 pm $10 per class
(All supplies provided, including clay)
Children’s Draw and Paint Class Instructor: Alison Wieman 3rd & 4th Saturdays of the month, 10:00 am-Noon $10 per class
(All supplies provided)
*No afternoon class the first Saturday of each month, as that’s the day of the general meeting, and the gallery is closed in the afternoon.
At right: Anna Ives received a check from Provident Bank for $234.11. The bank has a Community Partner Program which provides HVAA with a grant each year we are depositors.
In the Gallery
Art
Featured Artist Stephen Packard
Stephen Packard has been making art for more than 30 years. Even while he taught the subject, he was creating. He loved teaching, he added, although the pandemic years were a challenge.
Steve says he goes back and forth between expressionism and realism, adding that he often blends the two. On exhibit in the gallery are, primarily, triptychs. But there are a number of pieces of hanging art that he calls “improvisations,” pieces that are a cross between sculptures and paintings. They are 3D, have no square corners, and are unframed. But like everything else on the panels, the theme is nature based, and they are painted in acrylic.
Steve is a member part of the Idyllwild Art Alliance, the Riverside Arts Council, and the Santa Ana “Artists Who Teach” program. He is also into paper making and paper weaving, although there is no evidence of it in this exhibition. But he said he might be open to teaching a workshop on it this summer. We may hold him to that.
You can see more of Steve’s work at stephenpackard. com.
April Member Competition Winners - Fine Art
Best In Show - Fine Art: Eve Khattab, “Circle of Life”
FINE ART WINNERS
Special Theme (Bridges)
1st Susan Baker, “Sunrise Reflection”
2nd Steve Wilkinson, “Old Stone Bridge”
3rd Guy Salts, “Cornwall Park Bridge”
HM Alison Wieman, “Red Bridge”
Water Media
1st Betty Pilley, “Dawn at Sea”
2nd Diane Klewenhagen, “Saturday Night Bath Time” 3rd Miyoko Whittelsey, “A Lonely Place”
HM Susan Baker, “Look at That”
Acrylic/Oil
1st Opal Larkin, “Untitled”
2nd Kathy Woolery, “Butterfly in Space”
3rd Sherri Domenigoni, “Watchful Eagle”
Mixed Media
1st Alison Wieman, “Karen”
2nd Opal Larkin, “What?!”
3rd Les Hulsey, “Now and Yin”
4th Diane Klewenhagen, “Marbled Frizzled Hen”
Pastel/Drawing
1st Betty Pilley, “A Doodle Garden”
2nd Rachel Welch, “Sunset in Idyllwild”
3rd Diane Klewenhagen, “Bantering Teenagers”
April Member Competition Winners - Photography
Best In Show - Photogra-
PHOTOGRAPHY WINNERS
Special Theme (Bridges)
1st Earl McNeese, “Scottish Bridge”
2nd Sherri Domenigoni, “Sailing Under Coronado Bridge”
3rd Art Majerus, “La Conner WA Bridge”
HM Lee Moler, “Golden Gate Bridge Presidio” Anytime/Anyplace
1st Earl McNeese, “Blue River Below”
2nd Sherri Domenigoni, “Golden Gate From Above”
3rd Lu Majerus, “Spanish Pipas” Living Things
1st Maria Serrano, “Muse”
2nd Sherri Domenigoni, “Out of a Hat”
3rd Art Majerus, “Salute”
HM Earl McNeese, “Seal It” Black & White
1st Art Majerus, “Half Dome”
2nd Sherri Domenigoni, “Sail Under London Bridge”
3rd Chris Taylor, “America”
HM Evan Stone, “Man’s Best Friend” Digitally Altered
1st Art Majerus, “Bryce Sky”
2nd Sherri Domenigoni, “Tulip Ready to Open”
3rd Earl McNeese, “Red Tree in the Forest”
2025 Member Competition Themes January
Winter
Landscape
Wildlife Bridges
Flowers
Nighttime
Moving Water
Transportation
Sunrise/Sunset
Old Structures
Rainy Days
Reflections
For Our Members
A Big Evening of Art Thank You!
As the coordinator for our Evening of Art event this year, I would like to thank all who stepped up and helped in all sorts of ways. I think this evening was espeically wonderful, and Anna tells us we made about $10,000 after expenses, which will allow us to add a fifth category to our student awards next year. Digital art is so popular with the younger generation, and those pieces had to be judged with the other 2D category. This was difficult as they are a category of their own.
I am hoping that each of you, whether you donated something to a basket or the silent auction, helped chop strawberries, donated money, sold tickets to friends, took photos, helped set up for the event, helped served wine, helped sort name tags - I could go on and on. You know who you are. You stepped up in whatever capacity you could. Thank you so very much for making this year’s event a success.
I would like to shout out to a few key people who went above and beyond – Dr. Bob, who was our facilities guy, and took care of SO many other things including signage, licensing, and security; Mike and Earl for the amazing food service; Art for printing and all the actual art-related logistics; plus Richie, for setting up and taking down a lot of the venue. Anna and her team were there taking in money and selling tickets all evening. There is no way to list the names of all of you here. You were each a part of this great night. Feel proud of what we were able to accomplish together!
March 26, 2025 Board Minutes
Meeting called to order: 1:00 PM, March 26, 2025
Attendees: President, Lynn Throckmorton; Vice President, Alison Wieman; Secretary, Kathy Schmitt; Treasurer, Anna Ives; Gallery Director, Art Majerus; Newsletter Editor/Parliamentarian,Sheryl Cooley; Hospitality Co-Chair, Patty Greco; Sitting Calendar and Orientation, Diane Klewenhagen; Student Awards, Jenny Gagnon; Maintenance, Bob Straubinger; Membership Tracy Anderson; Social Media, Julie Jernegan; Fund Raising, Linda Baranek; Member, Esther Feigenbaum; Member, Richie Locasso; Member, Earl McNeese; Member, Mike Yeager
President’s report: Lynn spoke about the Art Rock project, suggested by Lynn, as a way of advertising our presence in the community. Rocks were painted by members and placed where people could find them. The rocks directions for the finder are to take a picture of it and post it on Facebook, telling where it was found. Again Lynn talked about the need of a volunteer to take over as Treasurer next year, otherwise it will have to be outsourced at a cost.
Vice President’s report: Alison gave the financial report for the Evening of Art, which resulted in a net profit of $9849.45. That included an extra $1,000 in donations not originally included in her report. The gross total was $15,429.50 and expenses were $5,580.05. Alison thanked all those involved as, without their generous donation of time, effort, and money, the event could not have been such a success. Alison is calling for an EOA wrap up meeting to discuss what worked and what changes could be implemented next year. Tuesday, April 8th, at 1:00 PM has been designated for this meeting to take place at the gallery. Alison also reported that Valentina Landin will be our next General Meeting demonstrator.
Treasurer’s report: In Anna’s absence, Lynn gave the Treasurer’s financial report. Income, $4,191.30; Expense, $2581.00; Net Gain, $844.81 Anna arrived late and had nothing to add.
Secretary’s report: The minutes for February, emailed by Kathy, were accepted as sent. Art moved to accept and Diane seconded the motion.
Gallery Director’s report: Art will paint the pedestals, probably in July. Art reported that there was no difference in the lighting using LED bulbs vs the current lighting. It would take many years to recoup the expense of buying LED bulbs in electricity savings.
Continued on next page
Art will also screw the letters onto the overhead outdoor sign sometime in July with help, eliminating the need to hire a handyman. Art will do COP next month.
Newsletter Editor/Grant report: Sheryl announced our gallery’s participation in the Riverside County Arts and Culture, Expeditions Passport Program. This program lists venues for people to visit, our gallery being among those listed. Visitors will have a passport stamped when visiting our gallery so gallery sitters need to be aware of this. Sheryl said that the National Endowment for the Arts has a grant available for the painting of murals in town, however, only one muralist, Stepheny Estes, is a member. Sheryl will continue to work on obtaining grants from the California Arts Council.
Sitting Calendar/Orientation report: Diane stated there were several April sitting openings. Diane’s main concern was filling the empty spots in the calendar that fall before COP, saying there would be opportunities to fill later dates in the schedule at the General Meeting, COP and after.
Diane will conduct an orientation Saturday, April 12th at 10:00 AM.
Hospitality report: Patti is requesting more Artwork donations for the raffle. Beverly Squire, currently laid up due to an injury, suggested to Beverly Johnson that the raffle tickets for artworks be increased in price. No decision was made in that it would require a way of differentiating regular raffle tickets from those for artwork.
Fund Raising report: Linda’s newest fundraiser is decorated teapots with clay flowers for sale at $25 each. Suggestions were made that, since teapots were difficult to find, other containers could be used so long as they were of the proper dimensions for holding the floral arrangements. Linda remarked that, in designing the teapots, Easter and Mother’s Day be kept in mind as these arrangements should be popular. Workshops to work on this project will take place Friday, March 28th and Friday, April 4th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Participants are encouraged to bring decorator items such as ribbon, etc. and donations of teapots or other suitable containers are needed. Although most supplies will be on hand, It would be helpful to come with acrylic paint, brushes, glue, etc. Art has set aside one of the tall display cases, case A, for displaying these boutique items for sale.
Membership report: Tracy reported that we have 122 paid up members, 5 being new members and 12 student members. She continues to send out reminder notices to those overdue in renewing
Social Media report: Julie said that all was doing well with the Facebook page.
Meeting adjourned at 1:56 PM
Respectfully submitted, Kathy Schmitt, Secretary
Community Partners
HEMET CONCERT ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 2241
HEMET, CA 92544
WWW.HEMETCONCERTS.ORG
951-927-2449
Hemet Valley Art Association
A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
Address: Phone:
Hours:
Website: 144 N. Harvard St., Hemet, CA 92543 951-652-4592
Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am-4 pm www.hemetvalleyart.com
Find us on Facebook and Instagram!
Please Note
You must be a member to display your art in the gallery, and it must be art that you personally created. The Gallery Director manages the rental of panels/ pedestals/cases. To exhibit your art, you must work through him.
Platinum life Members
Teddie Oatey
Chuck Schoenknecht
Rose Thomas
James Watters
Kathy Schmitt
Lynn & Bob Throckmorton
Sue Jordan & Keith Johnson
Guy Salts
Sheryl Cooley
Earl McNeese
Mike Yaeger
Alison Weiman
Esther Feigenbaum
Bronze Members
Jimmy DePasse
Lois Harris
Richie Locasso
Non-Discrimination, Diversity, Inclusiveness
All people are recognized as unique individuals, and HVAA welcomes the variety of experiences they bring to the Hemet Valley Art Association (HVAA). As such, HVAA requires members and outside instructors and contractors to treat all members, class participants, students, visitors, and others who participate in the life of the organization equally without regard to race, ethnicity, sex, gender identification, sexual orientation, native language, religion, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law. HVAA strives toward diversity and inclusiveness within and without the organization, recognizing and supporting those who are under-represented in our community and beyond.