- August - Organization of the Month: The Garcia Center for the Arts

For the month of August, I am donating the monthly charity fund to The Garcia Center for the Arts, an arts non-profit organization located in San Bernardino, CA, serving the community by offering artistic opportunities for learning and engagement through programs that support cultural experiences, entrepreneurship and professional development.

As a kid, I never thought the Inland Empire to be a huge arts and cultural hub. For a while, to me, it was just a suburban sprawl with houses, shopping plazas, and schools — no where to call a creative home. As a got older, I departed this beloved valley to live in Northern California for 3 years. Being separated from Southern California for that time, I returned to the valley with a new outlook on life — one seeking community, art, and local culture.

I’ve come to find that arts within the Inland Empire can be tough to formulate as there are many small hubs that have become hidden gems to their members, often going unrecognized due to lack of funds or resources. The hidden gems value their small impact, creating cozy homes for those who come looking for space to create and thrive. These hubs are where community members and artists can flock to create artworks, connect with others, and find a space that can further their artistic visions. This is the start of my journey to connecting with local art hubs and truly understanding our arts scene by asking: Where does art take place in the Inland Empire and how are these hubs vital to our creative landscape?

These places are pillars for third spaces and community by providing a place to express, create, and take action — creating opportunities for people to connect and build bright futures. In the coming weeks, I will be visiting The Garcia Center for the Arts to recognize their local impact, and get more knowledge on the importance of art hubs and community centers.

More to come soon…

Sincerely,

Vanessa