Amie Shepard

City: Hawthorne City
Position Seeking: Councilmember

Question 1: Please share the most meaningful arts and cultural experience you had growing up. 

In my twenties, I drove down the Baja Peninsula through a small town called Santa Rosalia. It was originally colonized as a French mining town. Remnants of the French litter the streets with the iron buildings and distinct architecture. During my journey, we pulled into Santa Rosalia to make a stop and were caught up in their festival honoring the creation of the town. Men danced in a parade down the streets, with homemade masks celebrating their history. It was one of the most beautiful, spontaneous cultural experiences I have ever had.

Question 2: What do you think should be the role of City Council in the development and support of the region's arts and cultural infrastructure?

City Council oversees the economic development of the City. Arts and culture improve a community’s competitive edge, drive tourism and spending, and creates a skilled labor force. I believe our role as Council should be to support the progress of fine arts in the community. Hawthorne is an incredibly diverse town, with cultures from all over the world. We have a close proximity to LAX and Downtown LA, making us very accessible for art tourism. Arts and culture also give our students a creative belonging within the community, and creates positive role models for our youth.

Question 3: What’s your vision for the city? What role, if any, does art and culture play in achieving that vision?

The City of Hawthorne has an iconic, nostalgic history as the Home of the Beach Boys and the Cradle of Aerospace. It is my vision to see Hawthorne return to that quaint, beachside community. Our neighboring cities benefit from downtown business & retail districts where residents can stroll, dine and shop. This creates the perfect space for the art community to thrive. San Pedro honors their art community with the First Thursdays in their revitalized business district, and I would love to see Hawthorne follow that trend.

Questions 4: A recent report by the Otis College of Design found that 1 in every 7 jobs in LA County is supports the creative sector and economy in Los Angeles County. What strategies, if any, would you pursue to enhance the region’s creative economy (i.e. cultural tourism, indirect and direct jobs, nonprofit and for profit organizations)?

The premise of my campaign platform is business development in Hawthorne. I think that with any progressive city, the mix of businesses should be as diverse as the residents. As part of my commitment to Hawthorne, bringing professional, livable wages to the City is one way I plan on improving our economy. Creative businesses improve the ambience of any neighborhood and offer a unique atmosphere, creating jobs and entertainment/retail experiences for residents. I would support streamlined licensing, tax incentives and other pro-business benefits for companies looking to enhance our cultural and art environment.

Scott Kwong

City: San Marino City
Position Seeking: Councilmember

Question 1: Please share the most meaningful arts and cultural experience you had growing up. 

Going to different countries with an open mind was definitely an experience for me when it came to learning about other cultures. The experience is difficult to put into words, but there is something about diving into a completely new environment different with food, language, and societal norms that makes me open to different ways of life. I have learned how to stop, take a breath, and live in the moment. I have also learned to value experience over material. Lastly, I learned that things do not always go as expected and so I just got to roll with it.

Question 2: What do you think should be the role of City Council in the development and support of the region's arts and cultural infrastructure?

Culture and society is always changing and San Marino is a very distinct community with both long time residents and new residents. We choose to live in San Marino because of its community and its schools. So we got a mix of culture in San Marino. I would like to see our students from our schools to do an art competition where the creation is left open to the student. They can paint, draw, chalk, construct, mold, etc. Completely open with no instructions and no limits to stop their mind.

Question 3: What’s your vision for the city? What role, if any, does art and culture play in achieving that vision?

San Marino will continue to be a distinct community with modernized houses of similar size. I do not see San Marino with mansion sized houses everywhere. Instead, I see San Marino almost futuristic where technology plays a major role in the house. Houses will look more modern with some modern art sculpture in the front yard. Automated window tints, smart fire alarms, keyless entry, an abstract modern art paintings in the living room, and almost everything is touch based at home such as the dining table that recognizes what is placed on the table.

Questions 4: A recent report by the Otis College of Design found that 1 in every 7 jobs in LA County is supports the creative sector and economy in Los Angeles County. What strategies, if any, would you pursue to enhance the region’s creative economy (i.e. cultural tourism, indirect and direct jobs, nonprofit and for profit organizations)?

Going back to question 2, our recreation center, schools, and arguably a portion of city hall will have some of the arts displayed created by our students. Because we pride ourselves in our school system and so we should show it off to the world. I don’t consider myself an art person, but I can imagine that this no-rule art would allow different type of thinking and creativity to come out of these students.

Michael W. Samarin-Popoff

City: Montebello City
Position Seeking: Councilmember

Question 1: Please share the most meaningful arts and cultural experience you had growing up.

Going to the Museum of Science & Industry and the Museum of Natural History opened my eyes to the world of science, art, and history. Seeing all the different displays of machinery, mineral and metal samples, Indian art, and stuffed animals was astounding to me. I also greatly enjoyed the acapella singing of my church singers.

Question 2: What do you think should be the role of City Council in the development and support of the region's arts and cultural infrastructure?

The city council should try to encourage arts and culture appreciation wherever it can.

Question 3: What’s your vision for the city? What role, if any, does art and culture play in achieving that vision?

The city should be a middle class working people’s city. Art and culture should reflect the people who live in the area and should try to attempt to enlighten them and enrich their lives.

Questions 4: A recent report by the Otis College of Design found that 1 in every 7 jobs in LA County is supports the creative sector and economy in Los Angeles County. What strategies, if any, would you pursue to enhance the region’s creative economy (i.e. cultural tourism, indirect and direct jobs, nonprofit and for profit organizations)?

Montebello has two important cultural and historical sites that, as far as I can determine, have never been promulgated in the city’s development. I would try to get the word out about these sites as an attraction to encourage visitors and tourists with interests in this history and culture.

Jim Knight

City: Rancho Palos Verdes City
Position Seeking: Councilmember

Question 1: Please share the most meaningful arts and cultural experience you had growing up. 

As a kid I remember my world traveling parents sharing their slides and stories with their friends. Despite all of the jokes about home slide shows, for me I soaked it all in and it gave me a fascinating window into other cultures. Later in my life I began to play music from countries across the globe. I joined the L.A. based Aman International Folk Ensemble as a musician and had performances all across the nation and the Middle East. I also shared my love for music and world culture with kids in local schools.

Question 2: What do you think should be the role of City Council in the development and support of the region's arts and cultural infrastructure?

Where the city can, they should let their residents know about local and regional arts and culture. Our city promotes a program called Shakespeare by the Sea and provides park space and advertising to the organization. We feel this kind of program provides a unique entertainment/cultural opportunity for young and old in an old fashion outdoor park setting picnic dinners and all. It gets the kids off of their digital screens and into the real world.

Question 3: What’s your vision for the city? What role, if any, does art and culture play in achieving that vision?

My vision for our city is to preserve why we all moved here: quality of life. Part of that quality of life beyond the normal budget process, infrastructure repairs, etc. is providing an enriched cultural experience. Urban design is within local government preview and art should part of that urban design. Supporting the arts in our community makes all of our lives a little richer. Our society would be sterile without art being part of it. The real challenge for government is to find artistic expression that has a universal appeal.

Questions 4: A recent report by the Otis College of Design found that 1 in every 7 jobs in LA County is supports the creative sector and economy in Los Angeles County. What strategies, if any, would you pursue to enhance the region’s creative economy (i.e. cultural tourism, indirect and direct jobs, nonprofit and for profit organizations)?

Studies have shown that exposure of students to the arts increases creativity and innovation in the science and engineering fields. Being Vice President of the South Bay Cities Council of Governments I have had the unique opportunity to engage with Chris Cagel of the South Bay Investment Work Board and encouraged him to convince the Board to incorporate more creative high tech training to prepare their students for the ever increasing South Bay high tech jobs. I then put him in touch with Director of the Palos Verdes on the Net who had already designed those classes with working professionals.

Brian A. Gutierrez

City: West Covina City
Position Seeking: Councilmember

Question 1: Please share the most meaningful arts and cultural experience you had growing up.

In high school, I saw how many of my peers did not have the resources for extracurricular activities like arts and music. No one, including the school administration, could help them. So I organized a fundraising effort, went walking to local businesses, and brought in money to help fund after-school activities. I still do it to this day and have raised over $100,000 for these programs. These dual passions for arts and community service had a major influence on my career path, and today I am a community relations executive for a major record label.

Question 2: What do you think should be the role of City Council in the development and support of the region's arts and cultural infrastructure?

Southern California is an international beacon for creativity. Paintings, sculptures, music, and scripts created in our county affect the world. In order to ensure that West Covina maintains an atmosphere of creativity and innovation, I believe that the City Council must foster artistic passions in schools, encourage students to follow those ideas, and then give them the resources to enact their vision. I would not be where I am today if my passions for music and public service were not encouraged, and I believe that the City Council has a fundamental duty to students to foster their passions in life.

Question 3: What’s your vision for the city? What role, if any, does art and culture play in achieving that vision?

I envision West Covina as a city filled with small business owners, passionate artists, and optimistic leaders ready to tackle the complex problems that face our society. Art, in all of its forms, requires creativity and fosters creative problem solving, something I have benefited from personally. For me, music is not only about culture; it is also about expression, growth, and discovering something new. Our future leaders and businesspeople need to possess these qualities. Having a background in or access to art fosters original thought and innovative answers to questions, which is necessary to solve problems.

Questions 4: A recent report by the Otis College of Design found that 1 in every 7 jobs in LA County is supports the creative sector and economy in Los Angeles County. What strategies, if any, would you pursue to enhance the region’s creative economy (i.e. cultural tourism, indirect and direct jobs, nonprofit and for profit organizations)?

In order for our region’s creative economy to flourish, we must not only ensure that citizens have the infrastructure and tools needed to create freely, but also provide economic incentives to keep artistic jobs in Southern California. This means funding art programs, providing a tax structure that encourages the arts as our competitive advantage, working with local businesses, and creating open spaces for expression. We must give our artists a voice and an economic incentive to create in West Covina and across Los Angeles County.

Dennis Kneier

City: San Marino City
Position Seeking: Councilmember

Question 1: Please share the most meaningful arts and cultural experience you had growing up.

In high school I was exposed to the arts and cultural experiences by my wonderful English teach, John Hanrahan (now deceased). He took the class to art galleries, concerts and ballet. It was through those experiences that led me to appreciate art and cultural activities. This has led to my wife and I having an extensive contemporary art collection, many artist friends, membership in the USC Pacific Asia Museum and volunteer work at The Huntington.

Question 2: What do you think should be the role of City Council in the development and support of the region's arts and cultural infrastructure?

I believe in starting at home … right here in San Marino. I was instrumental in having art donated to the City, some of which is hung in City Hall. I wish more of what came to us was used in our facilities, but it’s hard to get everyone on board in art appreciation. I was in charge of all fundraising for our Centennial Clock (a work of art in itself), our War Memorial (again, a work of art) and the Red Car Mural near City Hall. I am a proponent of public art.

Question 3: What’s your vision for the city? What role, if any, does art and culture play in achieving that vision?

San Marino is already a wonderful community but my vision is for it to be even better Part of this includes more public art cultural activities at our Public Library the San Marino Center and the Old Mill I am mindful of Frank Lloyd Wright’s saying Invest wisely in beauty for it will last all your days I believe in that attitude personally as exemplified by our personal art collection I’m as strong a donor as I can at The Huntington to support its art and gardens.

Questions 4: A recent report by the Otis College of Design found that 1 in every 7 jobs in LA County is supports the creative sector and economy in Los Angeles County. What strategies, if any, would you pursue to enhance the region’s creative economy (i.e. cultural tourism, indirect and direct jobs, nonprofit and for profit organizations)?

More publicity is needed to emphasize how much art and culture we have in LS County. We are NOT a cultural wasteland, by any means. Listen to KCRW’s weekly Art Talk with Edward Goldman. You’ll learn there is so very much going on in the art and cultural world right here in LA.

Roman Rodriguez

City: Baldwin Park City
Position Seeking: Councilmember

Question 1: Please share the most meaningful arts and cultural experience you had growing up.

The most meaningful are and cultural experience that I had growing up was visiting the California Missions, local museums and the Huntington Library as a child. I grew to appreciate and admire that creative process and the overall tone of different types of art and culture. Due to my experience as a child, I have grown to admire art and culture as unique experience capable of influencing and inspiring people and environments.

Question 2: What do you think should be the role of City Council in the development and support of the region's arts and cultural infrastructure?

The role of a City Council should be to foster and develop art and culture to add esthetic value in the lives of residents and community overall. It is important to provide a reference point for the community to build their appreciation of art. It can be the catalyst in provoking thought and ideas that can influence public spaces and build awareness of self and community.

Question 3: What’s your vision for the city? What role, if any, does art and culture play in achieving that vision?

My vision will be to develop art and cultural play into the everyday lives into the community. I plan to integrate in the downtown area in different forms. I would truly like to revitalize the downtown area with unique one of a kind art projects that are hands on and invite the public to interact with it. Additionally, I would also like to recapture California’s car culture by having the city support artisan neon art signage along the downtown area main corridor.

Questions 4: A recent report by the Otis College of Design found that 1 in every 7 jobs in LA County is supports the creative sector and economy in Los Angeles County. What strategies, if any, would you pursue to enhance the region’s creative economy (i.e. cultural tourism, indirect and direct jobs, nonprofit and for profit organizations)?

I have a plan to support the economy in the Los Angeles County area by revitalizing our downtown area through the integration of art, technology and innovation. This will be done by building relationships with public and private entities to work towards a common goal of building a creative economy the will primarily produce and support jobs and support the local economy. By using art as the focal point the community will be encouraged to engage with the downtown environment thus creating a by product of support for local businesses and community.

Joe Armendariz

City: Baldwin Park City
Position Seeking: Mayor

Question 1: Please share the most meaningful arts and cultural experience you had growing up.

The paintings on the side of the freeways on the 101 freeway West bound just past Alameda. Those were amazing to me. The kids on the wall where gigantic and so realistic. My cultural upbringing was diversified. We had our Mexican Culture. Food and traditions during the holidays. Mariachi music and Nortenios. I grew up around black families BBQ and there love for Funk and R&B. Whites who celebrated every holiday through out the year hamburgers and hot dogs. Rock and Roll and Heavy Metal i was exposed to. Great times..!!!

Question 2: What do you think should be the role of City Council in the development and support of the region's arts and cultural infrastructure?

The role should be just as important as teaching kids how to read and write. It would be so much easier introducing art, musical instruments and sculpting to kids at a very young age. The brain can be used as a sponge, that can except it better. City council needs to see the urgency to get kids to leave all this technology and give them a break. Just maybe one person from baldwin park can grow up to be the next Stephen Antonakos.

Question 3: What’s your vision for the city? What role, if any, does art and culture play in achieving that vision?

It would be awesome to bring statues, art work deco and paintings into the city of Baldwin Park. An art center would be great so kids of all ages can express and show off talents. Art deco can be beautiful as we drive down our main streets. Paintings can also be displayed by various artist on paper and canvas. Caricaturist are becoming more and more popular. with comic books and animators.

Questions 4: A recent report by the Otis College of Design found that 1 in every 7 jobs in LA County is supports the creative sector and economy in Los Angeles County. What strategies, if any, would you pursue to enhance the region’s creative economy (i.e. cultural tourism, indirect and direct jobs, nonprofit and for profit organizations)?

Yes i would pursue this. This can benefit the city bye opening art exhibits. That creates jobs for the Building industry. Planning and Construction. Ownership of new stores dedicated to suppling artist. Employment for people who cannot be at full functioning jobs. Part time and full time employment. Local bussinesses to bring income to there homes and for there families.

Marina Khubesrian

City: South Pasadena City
Position Seeking: Councilmember

Question 1: Please share the most meaningful arts and cultural experience you had growing up.

I grew up in Yerevan, Armenia until age 10. This city left a lasting impression on me with its parks, fountains, welcoming tree lined streets, public art and performances that were attended by families. Getting families out to public spaces and walking to recreation and shopping centers fosters active lifestyles and community building.

Question 2: What do you think should be the role of City Council in the development and support of the region's arts and cultural infrastructure?

I think City Councils can promote arts and culture by recognizing that public funds can serve to provide seed money for public art programs that leverage the resources of non-profit art councils and local artists to stimulate more programs. Our City is doing just this with a utility box art program, a program I helped launch.

Question 3: What’s your vision for the city? What role, if any, does art and culture play in achieving that vision?

I see public art as an important part of making public spaces more appealing for people of all ages to come out and engage with these spaces, as well as one another. Cities are stronger when residents are engaged with one another and celebrate creativity together. Art and cultural offerings stimulate economic engines and enhance dining, shopping experiences.

Questions 4: A recent report by the Otis College of Design found that 1 in every 7 jobs in LA County is supports the creative sector and economy in Los Angeles County. What strategies, if any, would you pursue to enhance the region’s creative economy (i.e. cultural tourism, indirect and direct jobs, nonprofit and for profit organizations)?

The public sector has a few less tools to leverage in forming public private partnerships with developers with loss of redevelopment resources, but a few remain. As mayor, I appointed an arts director to serve in an advisory role on our dwntown development committee to bring arts and culture to the discussion and planning. Our city works closely with business owners to support creative manufacturing businesses, and to facilitate P3 or non-profit partnerships where possible.

L. David Patterson

City: Hawthorne City
Position Seeking: Councilmember

Question 1: Please share the most meaningful arts and cultural experience you had growing up. 

The most meaningful art experience I had growing up was attending The Nutcracker play as a child. Going to plays was a rare experience for me. This experience stood out so much because it was an opportunity get dressed up, have what was to me an upper class experience, and spend some quality time with my uncle (whom had taken me and my sister).

I thought performance, the music, and the story was wonderful. It was actually my mother’s favorite ballet, which encouraged me to appreciate it even more.

Question 2: What do you think should be the role of City Council in the development and support of the region's arts and cultural infrastructure?

A very active role. As lover of the arts, I recognize our community’s desire for more artistic and cultural outlets. Our residents have made it clear that the art and culture is important to them and vital to the future of our community. As the leaders of our community, the City Council must support and be involved in the development of the region’s artistic and cultural infrastructure. As Hawthorne City Treasurer, I have wholeheartedly supported art exhibits, visited gallery openings, and attended performances throughout the city; and hope to do more as apart of the City Council.

Question 3: What’s your vision for the city? What role, if any, does art and culture play in achieving that vision?

Art and culture play a pivotal role in my vision. I envision a Hawthorne that attracts new businesses, maintains beautiful streets, and inspires an open, inclusive environment where residents and visitors feel comfortable going for a night out or simply for a relaxing stroll. Art walks in Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Hawthorne have proven how effective the creative industry is in bringing people from all across Southern California together. As a City Council member, I will focus on bringing more art and culture based events to Hawthorne.

Questions 4: A recent report by the Otis College of Design found that 1 in every 7 jobs in LA County is supports the creative sector and economy in Los Angeles County. What strategies, if any, would you pursue to enhance the region’s creative economy (i.e. cultural tourism, indirect and direct jobs, nonprofit and for profit organizations)?

My daughter being an artist and having attended a class for teens at Otis College, this statistic is very exciting to me. As a City Councilmember, I will continue the progress we saw with Phantom Galleries, and local art walks. I will collaborate with colleagues, and the greater artistic community in developing the infrastructure needed to support and attract creative organizations, jobs, and cultural tourism. I will work with city administration to rezone commercial areas into live-work spaces, as well as pursue the development of art incubators, allowing artists the opportunity to live and develop their art in the city