The Downey Arts Coalition began as a website in 2010 in search of artists and arts enthusiasts in Downey who would want to band together to improve the arts and culture scene in Downey. Monthly meetings began in early 2011 with the goal of providing communication, collaboration, and a shared vision among artists and advocates to spur a new local arts movement. Representatives from Downey’s traditional and newer arts organizations have taken part, but the group is open to anyone with a passion for the arts and a call to be involved in our community.
The DAC’s initiatives and actions in the community have already been broadly felt. Beginning in August 2011, the DAC sponsored a new monthly art gallery for local artist, “Art on the Vine” that has grown ever since. Monthly poetry nights, special art shows, and play readings are among the work accomplished so far. In addition the growing arts movement has become a staple of local city news and politics, with many more positive changes to come.
DAC meetings are held on the fourth Saturday of the month, 12PM at the Downey Theatre Green Room, 8435 Firestone Blvd, 90241. On occasion, meetings are held in alternate locations, so please sign up for the email list or facebook to keep up with the details.
In June of 2012 the members of the Downey Arts Coalition joined to board of the Downey Art League to effectively merge the two organizations. The Downey Art League is a non-profit 501c3 community organization.
Leadership
Andrew Wahlquist, President & Founder
Don Lamkin, Vice President
Pat Gil, Treasurer & Project Manager
Donald Marshall, Secretary
Carolina Del Toro, Visual Arts Outreach
Lana Joy Wahlquist, Performing Arts Outreach
Edward Aguirre, Downey Art League Events
Coalition
The following are artists and advocates from the area that have participated in the work of the Downey Arts Coalition:
Alistair Hunter, president, Other Theatre
Amber Vogel, Downey Theatre manager
Andrew Wahlquist, Filmmaker
Carlos Durazo, Artist
Carlos Ontiveros, Photographer
Carol Kearns, Writer
Carolina Del Toro, Photographer
Catherine Jun, Photographer
Don Lamkin, Artist
Donald Marshall, Writer
Edward Aguirre, Artist
Forrest Hartl, Playwright & Director
Frank Kearns, Poet
George Manzanilla, Filmmaker, DMOA
George Redfox, DMOA
Harold Tseklenis, DMOA, Downey Symphony
Joan Anderson, Photographer, Downey Daily Photos
Jorge Del Toro, Sculptor, Artist
Lana Joy Wahlquist, Actor, Director
Larry Dusich, Actor, Director, Choreographer
Lars Hansen, Actor, Director, Downey High
Lawrence Christon, Art Critic
Lorine Parks, Poet
Marisa Urrutia Gedney, Writer
Marsha Rodriguez Milner, Theatre
Pam Lane, Photographer, Downey Daily Photos
Pat Gil, Event producer
Paul Tully, Founder Urban Theatre Movement
Pauline Hume, Downey Children’s Theatre
Rebecca Lane, Actor, Theatre
Roy Anthony Shabla, Artist, Poet
Shirley Johnson, Event producer
Sylvia Blush, Director, Theatre
Valentin Flores, President Downey Art Vibe
Vanessa Torres, Event producer
William Blush, Playwright
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