What’s Blooming in the Arts This March 🌸

Dear Artists, Culture Bearers, and Friends of AC,

March is here, and with it comes the start of a busy spring season. Across San Bernardino County, artists, students, and community partners are gathering, experimenting, and creating new momentum for the months ahead.

In this issue of the AC Digest, you’ll find highlights from recent partnerships and student experiences, updates from our regional creative economy work, and new opportunities to connect through events, workshops, and open calls. We’re also sharing upcoming activations like the DTSB Art Walk, celebrating the return of spring programming with Arts Avenue, and spotlighting ways artists can access space, resources, and community through Estudio Aire.

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

Morongo Basin Creative Economy Convening Builds Momentum Following Statewide Engagement Effort

On February 23, Arts Connection convened the Morongo Basin Creative Economy Convening alongside cohosts Yucca Valley Material Lab, Project Nosotros, and Juniper Clay Shop at NOSOTROS’ new community space. The half-day gathering brought together over 50 artists, culture bearers, creative entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, educators, and civic partners to reflect on California’s Creative Economy Strategic Plan and consider what it means for the Basin’s rapidly growing desert region.

The convening built on the state’s public engagement phase connected to the plan, developed through AB 127, which positions the creative sector as a driver of economic development, workforce growth, and community vitality. Participants discussed opportunities for stronger coordination across the Basin while supporting the artists, cultural workers, and creative businesses already shaping the region’s cultural landscape. Conversations also highlighted interest in deeper collaboration with economic development and tourism partners as the creative sector continues to grow.

Following the convening, Arts Connection has begun advancing next steps informed by the dialogue, including the development of a Morongo Basin Creative Economy Brief, planning a follow-up coordination meeting, and engaging regional partners to help ensure the Basin’s creative sector is reflected in future planning and investment across San Bernardino County.

Want the full story? Click the button below to read the complete press release and learn how the Morongo Basin Creative Economy Convening is helping shape the future of the region’s creative sector.

Learn More About the Convening

Check out our intern in action! Arts Connection intern Joseph Rodrigues documented the meeting through photography and video. We’re excited to see him out in the field capturing these moments.

Arts Avenue exposing career paths in Film and the Arts!

Arts Avenue is kicking off the spring semester with new teaching artists and hands-on experiences for students. High school students from Arroyo Valley recently visited the San Bernardino County Museum for an artist talk with Rudy C. Ramirez about his exhibition A Retrospective 1969 – To Present. During the visit, students also heard from museum staff about what it’s like to work in museums and the many career paths available in the arts. Ramirez shared an honest message about creativity and persistence: follow what you care about, experiment, fail, learn, keep going, and put yourself out there. His story and artwork left a lasting impression on the students and everyone in the room.

As the semester continues, Arts Avenue is also welcoming Joshua Labata, our newest Community Teaching Artist joining the program this spring.

Labata is a writer and filmmaker whose work has been recognized by Academy Nicholl, Slamdance, and other organizations. Through filmmaking workshops, he will guide students in storytelling, creative writing, and bringing their ideas to life on screen. We’re excited to have him join the Arts Avenue teaching artist community and to see the stories students create this semester!

Learn More About Arts Avenue

DTSB Art Walk in March!

Friday, March 27th | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Sole Alley | W 4th St, San Bernardino, CA 92401

Arts Connection’s first DTSB Art Walk of 2026 celebrates Women’s History Month with an evening centered on women artists, youth voices, and local creative leaders.

Taking place in the Breezeway and Sole Alley in Downtown San Bernardino, the event brings together live painting with Morgan Blake Turner, a youth led Poetry Out Loud open mic with students from Norton Science and Language Academy, a collage activity inspired by Faith Ringgold led by Arts Avenue Teaching Artist Emily Kopacz, DJ sets, food vendors, and a marketplace of local artists selling original work and handmade goods.

Join us for a night of art, music, and community!

Learn More about Art Walk

Poetry Outloud - Open Mic

Poetry Out Loud is a free program for high school students where participants choose poems from the National Poetry Foundation anthology, memorize them, interpret them, and perform them in recitation competitions. Students advance from classroom contests to regional, state, and national levels, with cash prizes along the way. Arts Connection has hosted Poetry Out Loud in San Bernardino County for the past seven years.

Poetry Out Loud Open Mic Save the Dates:

Friday, March 27, 2026 | 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM

San Bernardino ArtWalk, Sole Alley

Thursday, May 14, 2026 | 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

San Bernardino Valley College, Gresham Gallery, 701 South Mt. Vernon Ave, San Bernardino, CA 92410

Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

San Bernardino Valley College, Gresham Gallery, 701 South Mt. Vernon Ave, San Bernardino, CA 92410

Thursday, December 10, 2026

Location to be announced.

Learn More About Poetry Out Loud

Vendor Call for Art Walk - ARTS + FOOD

Friday, March 27th | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Sole Alley | W 4th St, San Bernardino, CA 92401

Arts Connection invites artists and food vendors to participate in the first DTSB Art Walk of 2026, a Women’s History Month gathering in the Breezeway and Sole Alley in Downtown San Bernardino. This event highlights women identifying artists, youth voices, and creative leaders while bringing together art, performance, small business, and community in public space. Vendors will be part of a curated marketplace alongside live painting, youth poetry, music, and hands-on art activities.

Join us in creating an evening that supports local artists, small businesses, and the cultural life of our region.

Sign Up Today!

Before the Doors Close: Book Studio Time Before March Ends!

Hey artists, this is your last chance to spend time at Estudio Aire before the space closes at the end of March as we prepare to welcome the 2026 Estudio Aire cohort. If you’ve been meaning to stop by, work on a project, or simply visit, now is the time.

Arte Común offers free shared studio time for artists who want a place to write, rehearse, sketch, or plan alongside others. workSPACE provides private access for rehearsals, collaboration, and focused creative work, with flexible day and evening rentals.

RSVPs will be available Monday through Friday throughout March. Come spend some time, get work done, and experience Estudio Aire before the next chapter begins.

Arte Común and workSPACE will resume December 2026 through March 2027, so be sure to take advantage of this final opportunity before the studio closes for the residency season.

RSVP to get in the studio!