da Center of the Arts

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dA Center of the Arts

2013 Board of Directors

Chris Toovey President/Co-Founder Artist/Arborist dA Member since 1984

“Gold it’s the Gold” I wanted to support a place that believes the arts are for everyone, and that the arts are a universal language, and how they describe who we all are. I wanted to support a place where artists could show their work free of any esthetics pre-judgment, and a place where experiment is encouraged. I’ve been a Board Member for 28 years and President for 25 years. It seems that our role in the community is to help create, nurture which expands our community and is a place for cultural exchange under the banner of fine arts.

Jack Edwards Treasurer

Craftsman in Multi Media dA Member since 2000

I am a craftsman in various media and have been the Treasurer of the dA Board for 12 years. I believe the dA serves as a arts educator to the entire community, and I’m very passionate about the survival and the flourishing of the dA and what it stands for.

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dA Center for the Arts - 252 D South Main Street -Pomona, CA 91766 - Phone: 909 397-9716

Cher Ofstedahl-Leal Secretary

Executive Director, Children’s Foundation of America

Chief Administrative Officer, Trinity Youth Services/Advanced Education Services dA Board member since 2006

Serving as a Secretary of the dA Board since 2008, I am also the Executive Director of the Children’s Foundation of America and Chief Administrative Officer of the Trinity Youth and Advanced Education Services. I joined the board because I would like to serve the dA, in some capacity, for all the rest of my days. The dA Center is a vital and vibrant collaborative of “beautiful hearts” and a necessary conduit for artistic and social

interaction. I have been a Board member for five years and see the dA Center as a very real and physical representation of the artistic soul of the community that changes lives. It affords opportunities to create, relate and associate with the arts and the artistically

inclined. The dA is my church!

Joy McAllister Fox

Fine Artist/Painter/Commercial Art dA Board Member since 1999

As a fine artist, painter, and musician with commercial artwork as a muralist, faux finisher, and Trompe L’oeil, the dA Center has been my main platform for showing my work. I started off as a volunteer, helping when needed, and have been showing my work at the dA since it’s inception in 1984. The dA has been my artist’s lifeblood and the pillar of the Art Colony here in Pomona. That is why I have become a Board Member and have been serving since 1999. I believe that without the help from volunteers we couldn’t thrive or survive.

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Phillip Graffham

Art Gallery Manager/Curator dA Board Member since 1986

I am motivated by a sense of commitment to the mission of the dA and to its founders and volunteers. I am also motivated by the dA itself, by the events, the artwork presented and by its important place in the community. I look forward to seeing the dA and its programs and service grow within the community, and expand into the greater Los Angeles area.

Marti Gutierrez Community Member

dA Board Member since 1997

I am a community member, artist advocate for the arts, and social activist for women. I attended California State University, Pomona where I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art. Additionally, I attended California State University, Long Beach and Otis Art Institute in LA where I studied Graphic design, art history and printmaking. Working over twenty years as an art director and graphic designer, and being a curator of the Dia de Los Muertos shows. Although I am now retired, I have been a Board Member of the dA for 15 years. The dA, to me, has always had a friendly, inspiring atmosphere with grassroots beginnings. I believe it is an organization that enriches and embraces the community with the arts, music, poetry, education and so much more. The dA Center for the Arts is the director, the president, the staff, the board, the volunteers and the

community, all working together, that’s why I take a lot of pride in being a member. My vision for the dA Center is that it continues to serve the community and be the respected dynamic establishment it has always been: providing quality shows, programs,

education, and more to admirers of art, as well as evolve, grow, and enrich the community.

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Mark Lindley Art Patron

dA Board member since 2010

I have always had a strong attraction for non-profit organizations, and I became a Board Member of the dA Center in 2010, and have also been a volunteer ever since.

My motivation for serving on the board comes from my socialistic/community-minded personality and belief that “Art Saves Lives”. I also believe that every person who lives on this planet has an obligation to affect the future of this planet in a positive manner, and it’s high time we give back for the wonderful gifts we receive daily. Humans need art to speak to their souls! Unfortunately, every year many of our important arts education resources are cut out of our school budgets; it would be a refreshing change for the better, if politicians, civic and religious leaders and educators fostered a strong sense of

community with an artistic flair!

Conchi Sanford –

Artist, Curator, Marketing Professional dA Board Member since 2012

I am an artist, curator and Marketing Professional with a need and a passion to give by working within a non-profit organization like the dA. I received my Bachelors of Fine Art from California State University, Long Beach and my Masters of Fine Art from Claremont Graduate University. Since my introduction to the dA three years ago, I felt a need to not just be a part of it, but also contribute to its outreach in the community. Over the past 10 years I have worked with and watched other programs grow and flourish within the non-profit sector and feel passionate about what they stand for with members that have maintained an open, embracing attitude and mission statement; they open their doors to everyone. I am motivated to help make this a center that is thriving with endless artistic possibilities to children and adults alike. I am truly excited and blessed to be on the Board of Directors. I feel it is my opportunity to give back to the community what it has given to so many.

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Dina Romero

Local Small Business Owner dA Board member since 1998

I have been serving as a dA Board Member since 1998. As a local small business owner of Romero Metal sculpture and co-creator of the 2nd St. sculpture park, I believe the dA Center makes a difference in the community. I enjoy being a part of this group and seeing the positive changes it has made in the Pomona arts community.

Vicky Thomas

Jewelry Designer and Teacher/Artist dA Board Member since 2012

I began my career in jewelry making in high school class at Claremont High, and then went on to earn my Associates Degree in Commercial and Fine Arts from Citrus College. I have worked as a production hand design jeweler at Figg Jewelry, a company serving stores such as Nordstrom’s and Macy’s. Additionally, I have shown my artwork in mixed media at galleries, stores, and libraries. I have been twice honored by the Friends of Pomona Library as a Master Artist. In 1997, I began teaching at Tri-Community Adult Education as a wire wrap jewelry teacher and expanded my classes to include lapidary, silversmithing and bead stringing. I have also has taught art through the dA Center for the Arts community outreach program, Artlink , and also taught jewelry making at Hacienda – La Puente Adult education and after school programs for the Onterio-Montclair School District.

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Kate Thornton Artist and Writer

dA Board Member since 2012

As an artist and a writer, I see the dA as a nexus for community participatory art,

education, and exposure to the Arts. By including emerging and well-known artists in all media, the dA serves both the local community and a wider-ranging audience. I enjoy the opportunity to interact on a personal level with a diverse and creative group that being a board member gives me. I have served on the Board of Directors since Spring of 2012 and I look forward to many more