Santa Cruz County Latino Affairs Commission
Local News, Activities and
Events of Interest to the Latino Community

VOTING RIGHTS EXHIBIT COMES TO THE COUNTY BUILDING!

The third floor of the County Government Center will showcase the voting rights artwork from the Pajaro Valley Arts Exhibit, VOTE! YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE/ VOTE! SU VOTO ES SU VOZ, from January 27 until April 1, 2020. The exhibit aims to inform, inspire and develop greater interest in the nonpartisan democratic process. Co-curated by Maria Gitin and Pajaro Valley Arts Curator Judy Stabile, the exhibit features Bob Fitch photography from the archives of Stanford University  Library and artifacts from civil rights veteran Maria Gitin.

The exhibit also includes contemporary regional artists' interpretation of voting rights and informative displays from Santa Cruz County Elections Department and Watsonville City Clerk's Office.

A visual timeline highlights key events in voting rights history including the historic Watsonville v. Gomez case. The exhibit is presented in partnership with Santa Cruz County Elections Department and Santa Cruz County Arts Commission.

The local artists participating include: Jessica Carrasco, Myra Eastman, Bob Fitch, Jane Gregorius, Hedwig Heerschop, Matt Herron, Lucien Kubo, Joshua Moreno, Helen Ruiz-Thomas, Jaime Sánchez, Sandra Takashima Shaw, Peggy Snider, Carol Walberg.

“We are so pleased to provide a home for this amazing artwork,” County Clerk Gail Pellerin said. “I hope the art and history on display will inspire people to be engaged citizens by being a voter on March 3 and November 3!”

There will be a free reception with appetizers and refreshments on First Friday, February 7, 5 to 8pm, 701 Ocean Street, 3rd Floor, Santa Cruz.

CONGRATULATIONS TO MAYOR REBECCA GARCIA!

We are proud to announce that long-time Commissioner Rebecca Garcia was recently sworn in as Watsonville's ninth female mayor in the 151 years that Watsonville has been a city. Rebecca has always been an engaged, proactive, impactful Commissioner and we know she will do amazing things during her term as Watsonville's new Mayor. Read more about Mayor Garcia's background, career and plans for her term as Mayor in an article by Tony Nunez of the Register Pajaronian here.

EVENTS

Current Pajaro Valley Arts events and exhibits can be found here.

                                               2018 Hispanic Heritage Art Wall