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A Clean, Well-Lighted Place for Art
Meet the new Director of the Petaluma Arts Center
“Eventually, all things connect” — Charles Eames
By Jane Rogan
Taking it from here, Llisa Demetrios, granddaughter of iconic American
designers, Charles and Ray Eames, Board Member for Petaluma Arts Center and Curator for the show, Power of Ten: Scaling Up, which runs through March 24, drives home her inspiring statement: “Today, nothing operates in a void.” Not me, not you, not Delfin Vigil, who – as Executive Director - has arrived on the scene to facilitate important connections for Petaluma Arts.
Before I read the materials Delfin gave me, I described the gallery as a “Clean, well-lighted place for the Arts,” an obvious play on Hemingway’s, A Clean, Well-Lighted Place for Books.
We the Future Social Justice Conference
Del spent his childhood and early teen years in Benicia. When I called it ground zero for the 80s punk revival, he perked up. “Yes! That’s who I grew
up with. Those were my friends.” That was some wild stuff, competing with any of the wild stuff I grew up with in the 70s. This tells us a lot about Delfin, the quiet, charming, dry-witted writer. This tells us that like other quiet types, he runs deep and possesses a well-developed wild side. I, for one, am looking forward to seeing that side reflected in some of his choices for the Center. When I mentioned the space was more sophisticated than I had anticipated. Del retorted, “Sophisticated without the snoot.” Exactly.
to a free lunch and noon concert by SLV, the critically acclaimed project of Sandra Lilia Velasquez, formerly of alt-Latin group Pistolera. She sings soulful Chicana protest songs combining pop, EDMC, hip-hop, and world genres comparable to Sade, Santigold, and Ana Tijoux. It all happens April 13th, from 9am to 3pm, at the SRJC Petaluma Campus. wethefuture.santarosa.edu/.
The connection between what happened with the Benicia-Berkeley Punk Revival and any of our local Arts Centers is the alchemy of permission and innovation soldered by personal investment. If you have one or two, but not all three, you don’t have it. It’s like the difference between telling a story you heard and living a story you tell. For the magic to happen, well...you have to be there.
My colleague from the Sonoma County Gazette, Su McMurtry – an artist in her own right- asks Del, “Do you consider yourself an artist?”
His answer is something he has given some thought; on his own, hunched over his writing throughout the past decade. “Yes. Yes, I think I am comfortable calling myself an artist now,” he told us.
If only I had read his story on Nikko, Concrete Commando, before our meeting. Published in 2010 by Continuous Sound, the story originally appeared at
The Rumpus.net in June 2010. As Armistead Maupin wrote in review, “I was riveted from the very beginning, and you never once let me down...” I must agree. And more about that – you told me the truth. This is important in these times, and has always been my marker for what makes an artist. There was the connection. There was the magic of synchronicity that is inevitable in the throes of investigation. I can’t wait to read his novel, Death of a Newspaperman.
Though our programming reaches beyond the North Bay, KBBF is lucky to call Santa Rosa home. This month’s column is dedicated to the groups in Santa Rosa that are organizing to support Latinos and immigrant communities.
In the past few months, the North Bay Rapid Response Network has been training volunteers and doing outreach across Sonoma County as it creates
a network to help people targeted during ICE raids and similar attacks. The hotline—707-800-4544—will operate around the clock. Because ICE raids often occur in the dark early morning hours, volunteers must be prepared to provide immediate support day and night. If you are interested in participating in
a legal observer training, consult the North Bay Rapid Response Network’s Facebook page or its website at northbayop.org/rapidresponse/.
Walk Out/Huelga
Issues related to DACA and immigration reform are on the minds and in the hearts of many people in Sonoma County. Recent attacks on immigrants have created an urgent need for community response. On March 5th, from noon-3pm, there is a planned walkout from school and work. Participants will meet at Santa Rosa Junior College’s graduation lawn to march downtown and present demands at the federal building on Sonoma Avenue, near
Old Courthouse Square. Join local groups such as Dreamers Accion Day, Undocumented Student Union, Comité Vida, Mujeres Xigonas, DACA Sonoma County, North Bay Immigrant Youth Union, and MEChA de SRJC for the event. For more information, see the event listing on DACA Sonoma County’s Facebook page.
Feeding Ourselves, Feeding Our Souls is the theme of the second annual We the Future Social Justice Conference. Santa Rosa Junior College and the North Bay Organizing Project (NBOP) organize this free gathering that will focus on the “...healing, nourishing, and building healthy communities in the aftermath of the devastating North Bay res.” Food justice visionary Nikki Silvestri, who was named one of the 100 Most Influential African Americans by The Root magazine, is the keynote speaker. People who register in advance are treated
Latino Family Summit
On March 17th, Sonoma State University hosts its annual Latino Family Summit and NAKland for students in kindergarten through high school
and their families. This free day of workshops, activities, food, music, and entertainment features Spanish-language workshops for parents. Middle and high school students learn about preparing for college, paying for college, and cultural empowerment. University faculty, sta , and students will be present to lead activities and answer questions. The festivities also feature NAKland, a carnival hosted by the Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, that provides games and activities for children under 12. The carnival promotes higher education to these youngsters through fun and mentorship. Reserve your spot at latinofamilysummit2018.eventbrite.com/.
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North Bay Rapid Response Network
TUNE IN to KBBF 89.1FM and listen to “Election 2018” interviews with
3 candidates for Sheriff
Mark Essick, John Mutz and Ernesto Oliveras
Date: Tuesday – April 3, 2018
Time: 4-5pm
Interview facilitated by: Elaine B. Holtz Producer/Host “Women’s Spaces”
With a staff of four at the Arts Center, Del has work to do. As the E.D.,
he is also the grant writer, development director and HR director. Pleased about his active Board of Directors, and their solid connections with the Arts Communities in Sonoma County and beyond, Del is planning to use the space at the arts center to invite shy and gregarious art lovers alike to join in. He is open to celebrating the Arts in whatever ways the community brings to the Center. Music? Yes. Drama? Yes. Paint, clay, large, small...yes, yes, yes. This wonderful place belongs to Petaluma, and it’s now a stop along our SMART railway. Give yourself a treat and make the connection.
For events at the Petaluma Arts Center, 230 Lakeville St , Petaluma, www.petalumaartscenter.org, or call (707) 762-5600