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Dear Artists, Culture Bearers, and Friends of AC,
February is already moving with a lot of momentum, and we’re glad you’re here with us!
In this issue of the AC Digest, you’ll find updates from recent partnerships and gatherings, and the opening of fresh creative spaces at Estudio Aire. We’re also celebrating student and artist achievements, welcoming new faces into the AC team, sharing upcoming workshops and microgrant spotlights, and posting opportunities to get involved as a teaching artist.
As always, this issue is about staying connected, sharing resources, and building what comes next together!
Alejandro Gutierrez
Executive Director, Arts Council of San Bernardino County
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Now Open at Estudio Aire: Arte Común and workSPACE
We are excited to open Arte Común and workSPACE, two new options for creative work at Estudio Aire designed to support artists at different stages of the process.
Arte Común offers free, shared studio time for practicing artists who need a consistent place to return to their work. This is a calm, community centered space for self directed practice alongside others. Artists can write, rehearse, plan, edit, sketch, or think in a shared environment grounded in mutual respect and care. Arte Común runs Monday through Wednesday from February 2 to March 31, 2026. Studio time is booked in 4 hour blocks, up to 12 hours per week per artist. Availability is first come, first served, with bookings opening five days in advance.
workSPACE is designed for artists and creative teams who need private, uninterrupted access for rehearsals, collaboration, and production. workSPACE offers exclusive use of Estudio Aire at accessible rates, with day and evening rental options. The space supports collaborative work across disciplines including performance, writing, media, and project planning. Reservations open five days in advance and require payment and a signed use agreement to confirm.
Whether you are sustaining your practice or preparing for production, Estudio Aire now has space for you!
Meet the 2026 Poetry Out Loud Champion, Maximilian Goodly
Poetry Out Loud is a great example of how arts education brings our community together and elevates student voices across San Bernardino County. In partnership with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS), Arts Connection proudly hosted our annual Poetry Out Loud County Competition in late January 2026, welcoming outstanding high school students from throughout the county to represent their schools in a dynamic and inspiring poetry recital showcase.
We are now thrilled to celebrate our 2026 County Champion, Maximilian Goodly of Norton Science and Language Academy, who will represent San Bernardino County at the State Competition in Sacramento on March 8–9, 2026. His achievement is a testament to the power of arts education and the community that stands behind it.
Arts Avenue is Back for Spring Programming
What beautiful weather for Opening Day! We are excited to kick off our Arts Avenue Spring programming with our new cohort of Community Teaching Artist's, where we will be teaching 5 mediums across 10 schools. Thank you to San Bernardino City Unified School District and Expanded Learning for the partnerships this semester, we are looking forward to working with the students.
Arts Avenue is a free after school arts program presented by Arts Connection - The Arts Council of San Bernardino County. If you or anyone you know is interested in having our program in your school(s) please fill out the form below.
If you have any questions regarding our program please reach out to our Arts Education Program Supervisor, Andrea Bonales, email: dre@artsconnectionnetwork.org
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Meet the new AC Intern: Joseph Rodrigues
Arts Connection is excited to welcome our new Social Media Intern, Joseph Rodrigues,
part of the Creative Pathways program!
Joseph is a senior at San Andreas High School and joins Arts Connection after previously volunteering at events like the Inland Film Festival. Through his time volunteering, he had consistently positive experiences and gained valuable hands-on learning, which inspired him to officially intern with our team.
Outside of his internship, Joseph is most interested in the culinary arts, especially artisanal foods like bread and jams. He hopes to one day open his own business selling these products and sees creativity as an important part of building a successful and engaging venture.
Fun fact: Joseph also enjoys growing potatoes.
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Microgrant Spotlight: Marina DeMarco
Arts Connection is highlighting Artist Micro Grant recipient Marina DeMarco, who used her grant to advance her professional development as a printmaker. She produced a second edition of her “Flicker” woodblock, screenprinted her “Winter Fruit” design into winter bandanas, developed a new locally inspired woodblock, and created smaller, lower price-point works such as postcards and inkjet prints.
To further support her growth, Arts Connection partnered with TreePeople to bring Marina on as a teaching artist for an Outdoor Equity Field Trip that merges art and nature. She facilitated a “Monoprint in the Mountains” workshop during the trip.
Arts Connection also connected Marina with the Big Bear Grizzly, who featured her work as a local artist in the article, “From Nature to the Page: Big Bear Printmaker Marina DeMarco Finds Inspiration Everywhere" written by Tre Flynn.
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Microgrant Spotlight: Terry Nguyen
Arts Connection is highlighting Artist Micro Grant recipient Terry Nguyen, who used her grant to support her professional development by covering registration for the North American Taiko Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. Terry attended workshops focused on improving body mechanics and preventing injury in taiko performance while recovering from her own injury and gathering tools she could share with her students, especially older participants.
Through this experience, Terry has deepened her rehabilitation practice and is developing a stretching regimen to help taiko players warm up and cool down safely. She is also creating age-responsive curricula for community taiko activities that serve youth, adults, and seniors.
As part of the leadership team of TaikoMix, Terry is launching an 8-week adult community taiko class at the Redlands Japanese Cultural Center beginning February 3. The class focuses on foundational stretching and performance techniques to help participants build a strong base and begin their journey as taiko players.
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Creative Economy Convening: Morongo Basin
Monday, Feb. 23rd | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
NOSOTROS | 7021 Airway Ave, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
This free Creative Economy Convening invites artists, culture bearers, creative entrepreneurs, and community leaders to come together in the Morongo Basin during the public engagement phase of California’s Creative Economy Workgroup Strategic Plan, ensuring that local priorities and lived experiences directly shape what comes next. Co hosted by Arts Connection – Arts Council of San Bernardino County, Juniper Clay Studio, NOSOTROS, and Yucca Valley Material Lab, the gathering is designed specifically for the Morongo Basin’s creative ecosystem. Through facilitated tabletop conversations, participants will reflect on what has changed, what is working, and where systems are falling short, translating real world experience into actionable input that can inform a stronger, more responsive regional and statewide framework.
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Microgrant Spotlight: Jose Ledezma aka Agua
Saturday, Feb. 28th | 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Creative Grounds | 395 N E St Unit 101A, San Bernardino, CA 92401
Arts Connection is highlighting Artist Micro Grant recipient Jose Ledezma, also known as Agua.
Through his microgrant project, Agua is offering free community workshops for families called Morning Drum Circles. These gatherings create a shared musical experience for parents, children, and people of all ages to build meaningful connections with their families, friends, and community, and to listen to and celebrate the cultural art of music.
Another program Agua leads is the Multicultural Music Tree.
Agua’s next Multicultural Music Tree event will take place on Saturday, February 28, from 10 AM to 12 PM at Creative Grounds, located at 395 N E St., San Bernardino.
To host or participate in a Morning Drum Circle or Multicultural Music Tree, contact Agua at atlcelz0@gmail.com
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Now Hiring: Filmmaking Teaching Artists
Rolling recruitment
Lights? Camera? Jump into action with Arts Connection’s Arts Avenue afterschool program.
Arts Connection is seeking a film oriented Teaching Artist to lead project based filmmaking with high school students at Arroyo Valley High School. This role focuses on hands-on instruction in visual storytelling, guiding students through pitching ideas, planning, filming, and editing while supporting creativity, collaboration, and student voice.
If you are ready to mentor the next generation of filmmakers and bring real world media skills into the classroom, we want to hear from you.
Apply today to join our teaching artist roster!
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@ 2024 Arts Connection - The Arts Council of San Bernardino County. All Rights Reserved. 501(c)(3) - Tax ID # 46-3088038 |
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Office: 468 W. 5th St.. Unit 218, San Bernardino, CA 92401
Mailing: P.O. Box 1181, San Bernardino, CA 92402
P: 909.381.1900
E: info@artsconnectionnetwork.org
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