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Dear Artists, Culture Bearers, and Friends of AC,
June is packed with opportunities to create, connect, and celebrate across San Bernardino County. In this issue of the AC Digest, we’re highlighting student achievements through the Arts Avenue End of the Year Student Art Exhibition, welcoming a new Artist-in-Residence at Estudio Aire, and sharing a full lineup of community workshops made possible through the City of Ontario Artist Microgrant Program. You’ll also find details on this month’s Pride Celebration at DTSB Art Walk, opportunities for artists and vendors to get involved, and a reminder that Inland Film Festival submissions close June 30. From youth arts education and artist residencies to community gatherings and creative career opportunities, this month’s stories reflect the many ways arts and culture continue to strengthen connections throughout the Inland Empire.
As always, this issue is about staying connected, sharing what’s possible, and continuing to build the cultural life of our region together.
Alejandro Gutierrez
Executive Director, Arts Council of San Bernardino County
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San Bernardino City Candidates Discuss the Future of the Creative Economy
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the San Bernardino Arts Collaborative’s Creative Economy Candidate Forums, presented in partnership with the JustSB Coalition and community partners across our city. Over two evenings, mayoral and First Ward candidates engaged in nonpartisan conversations about the future of San Bernardino through the lens of small business, youth pathways, housing, public spaces, and the creative economy. Community members helped shape the questions, ensuring local voices remained at the center of the dialogue.
Missed the forums or want to revisit the conversation? Read our full recap, explore the questions that were asked, and watch the livestream recordings on our blog. Civic participation matters, and we’re grateful to everyone who showed up, listened, and stayed engaged.
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Fifth Annual Student Art Exhibition Celebrates Creative Success
Arts Avenue wrapped up the school year with its 5th Annual End of the Year Student Art Exhibition, celebrating the creativity and accomplishments of students from 14 San Bernardino City Unified School District K–12 schools. Featuring work in photography, painting, film, drawing, and more, the exhibition gave students the opportunity to share their artistic achievements with family, friends, and the community.
Hosted in partnership with Expanded Learning at the new Páxám Páxám Welcome Center, the event included hands-on activities such as cyanotype printing and magnet frame making, as well as a special screening of films created by participating high school students. The exhibition highlighted months of learning, experimentation, and creative growth across Arts Avenue after-school classrooms.
Arts Avenue provides free arts and culture workshops to K–12 students throughout San Bernardino, connecting youth with professional artists and meaningful creative experiences. By expanding access to arts education, the program helps students build confidence, develop new skills, express themselves, and discover their creative voices. The annual exhibition serves as a celebration of that growth and the impact arts education continues to have on students, families, and the broader community.
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New AIR, Fernando Durazo, Explores Hidden Histories of the Inland Empire
Please join us in welcoming Fernanda Durazo as Estudio Aire’s June–July 2026 Artist-in-Residence!
Fernanda Durazo is a first-generation Mexican American mixed media artist from Bloomington, California, whose work examines place, memory, environmental justice, and the histories that shape Inland Empire communities through photography, printmaking, and archival research. Fernanda studied photography, fine art, and philosophy at Riverside City College before earning her Bachelor of Visual Arts from California State University, San Bernardino. She developed her artistic practice under the mentorship of photographers Tamara Cedré and Matthew Luther, whose guidance encouraged her to use photography and printmaking as tools for research, documentation, social engagement, and activism. Her work has been featured in exhibitions including Our Common Foe (2023) and The Deep Cut (2025) at The Little Gallery of San Bernardino, as well as Live from the Frontline (2024) with Bloomington Speaks.
During her residency at Estudio Aire, Fernanda will research local archives and historical collections, exploring photographs, newspaper articles, family albums, maps, and other historical materials to better understand the region’s history surrounding the citrus industry, immigration, land management, and stories that are often absent from public narratives. Drawing from this research, Fernanda will create a new body of work that combines digital photography with printmaking techniques including monoprints and linocuts.
Fernanda will also present two public Happenings in July that invite community members to engage with her research and creative process. Stay tuned for dates and additional details.
We are excited to support Fernanda’s work and welcome her to the Estudio Aire community!
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Community Mana: Dance & Connect
Thursday, June 18th | 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM | Ontario Senior Center | 225 E B St., Ontario, CA 91764
Saturday, June 27th | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM | Ontario De Anza Community | 1405 S Fern Ave., Ontario, CA 91762
Ontario Microgrant recipient Elaine Talamaivao invites community members to come together for an uplifting experience centered on dance, culture, wellness, and connection. Through movement and shared participation, attendees will have the opportunity to celebrate community, create meaningful memories, and explore the joy of cultural expression in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
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Sound Journey in the Park: A Grounding Experience Through Breath & Frequency
Thursday, June 18th | 6:30 PM
Prospect Park | 1352 Prospect Dr, Redlands, CA 92373
Arts Connection is spotlighting previous AC Microgrant recipient Maricruz Chia, who invites community members to participate in an outdoor sound journey designed to encourage rest, reflection, and reconnection. Through live vocal toning, sound healing instruments, and guided presence, participants will experience sound as a tool for grounding, relaxation, and mindfulness while spending time in a natural outdoor setting. Attendees are encouraged to bring a yoga mat or comfortable surface to lie on, a light blanket, water, and any items that will help them feel comfortable during this restorative community experience.
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Fun & Life Skills Master Cooks: Sawdust Dessert Cup
Friday, June 19th | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
De Anza Community Center | 1405 S. Fern Ave., Ontario, CA 91762
Ontario Microgrant recipient Elsa Ouyang invites participants to explore creativity in the kitchen through a hands-on workshop centered on making a no-bake Sawdust Dessert Cup. Along the way, participants will learn basic kitchen skills, practice teamwork, and build confidence through a fun and interactive experience designed for all skill levels.
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Beading Through Community: Summer Beading Circles
Saturday, June 20th | 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Lewis Family Library | 3850 E Riverside Dr, Ontario, CA 91761
Ontario Microgrant recipient Blanca (Tierra) Martinez invites community members to explore the art and tradition of beadwork through a hands-on workshop series taking place from June through September. Participants will learn a variety of beading techniques, styles, and creative approaches while completing monthly projects and gaining a deeper appreciation for beadwork as a sacred living art form rooted in ancestral craftsmanship. Open to all experience levels, the series welcomes participants ages 6 and up.
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A Day Of Clay: Open Studio Workshop
Sunday, June 21st | 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
200 S Euclid Ave, Ontario, CA 91762
Ontario Microgrant recipient James Ojeda invites community members to participate in A Day of Clay, a free open studio workshop designed to encourage creativity through hands-on exploration with clay. With light instruction provided by Ojeda, participants will have the opportunity to experiment with materials, develop new skills, and be creative in a welcoming community environment. Presented by Arcoiris Collective Learning, Ch.i.c.c.c.a.a., and CASA Pitzer in partnership with Arts Connection and the Ontario Museum of History & Art, all tools and materials will be provided.
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Art Fundamentals: Design and Make Robot Light-Up Cards
Tuesday, June 23rd | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
De Anza Community Center | 1405 S. Fern Ave., Ontario, CA 91762
Ontario Microgrant recipient Elsa Ouyang invites young participants to combine creativity and technology through a hands-on workshop where they will design and create their own robot-themed light-up greeting cards. Blending art with simple circuitry and STEM concepts, the activity encourages imagination, problem-solving, and creative exploration while introducing participants to the basics of interactive design.
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Puzzle Palooza
Friday, June 26th | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
De Anza Community Center | 1405 S. Fern Ave., Ontario, CA 91762
Ontario Microgrant recipient Elsa Ouyang invites community members of all ages to participate in Puzzle Palooza, a fun and interactive event centered on creativity, problem-solving, and connection. Through hands-on puzzles, games, and collaborative challenges, participants will have the opportunity to build new skills, work together, and engage with others in a welcoming environment. Materials and prizes will be provided by Polaris Education Foundation.
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DTSB Art Walk Celebrates Pride Month!
Friday, June 26th | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Breezeway + Sole Alley | 479 W 4th St, San Bernardino, CA
This Pride Month, the Downtown San Bernardino Art Walk returns with an evening dedicated to celebrating LGBTQIA+ artists, culture, and community. Taking place in the Breezeway and Sole Alley, the event will feature local artists and vendors, hands-on art activities, live DJ performances, a Latin dance social, and a Ballroom demonstration introducing attendees to categories such as voguing, runway, face, and more. Community resources, including on-site health and wellness services, will also be available throughout the evening. The Art Walk offers an opportunity to connect with local artists, learn about different forms of creative expression, and celebrate Pride alongside the San Bernardino community.
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Inside The San Bernardino Archives: A Study Of Citrus Industry Imagery Through The Decades With AIR Fernanda Durazo
Thursday, July 9th | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Estudio Aire | 468 W. 5th St., San Bernardino, CA 92401
Join Estudio Aire Artist-in-Residence Fernanda Durazo for Inside the San Bernardino Archives, an interactive exploration of the region’s history through photographs, family albums, newspaper clippings, postcards, and other archival materials. Participants will have the opportunity to examine how the citrus industry and local communities have been documented over time while considering the stories that may be missing from the historical record. Inspired by these materials, attendees will create their own postcard using imagery connected to San Bernardino and send a message to a friend, family member, or loved one.
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Don’t Miss Your Chance to Be Part of DTSB Art Walk!
Friday, June 26th | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Breezeway + Sole Alley | 479 W 4th St, San Bernardino, CA
There’s still time to join this year’s Pride Art Walk! Artists, makers, and food vendors are encouraged to apply and be part of the celebration. Whether you’re sharing artwork, selling handmade goods, or serving food, this is an opportunity to connect with the community, reach new audiences, and take part in one of downtown San Bernardino’s biggest community arts events of the season.
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Countdown to the Inland Film Festival Submission Deadline!
Deadline to submit June, 30th 2026
Filmmakers from across the region and beyond are encouraged to submit their work for an opportunity to be featured as part of a growing initiative dedicated to advancing storytelling, workforce development, and the film and media sector throughout the Inland Empire.
The Inland Film Festival connects filmmakers with new audiences, industry professionals, creative peers, and career-building opportunities while helping strengthen the region’s creative economy. Whether you’re an emerging filmmaker or an established storyteller, now is the time to share your work and be part of a festival committed to elevating local talent and building a stronger future for film in the Inland Empire.
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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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